Isaiah 13:2

Verse

Raise a banner on a barren hilltop; call aloud to them. Wave your hand, that they may enter the gates of the nobles.

American Standard Version (1901)

Set ye up an ensign upon the bare mountain, lift up the voice unto them, wave the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles.

Bible in Basic English

Put up a flag on a clear mountain-top, make a loud outcry to them, give directions with the hand, so that they may go into the doors of the great ones.

Free Bible Version

Set up a banner on a bare hilltop; shout out to them; wave your hand to encourage them to enter the palaces of princes.

Geneva Bible 1599

Lift vp a standard vpon the hie mountaine: lift vp the voyce vnto them: wagge the hand, that they may goe into the gates of the nobles.

King James (Authorized) Version

Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice unto them, shake the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles.

One Unity Resource Bible

Set up a banner on the bare mountain! Lift up your voice to them! Wave your hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles.

Translation for Translators

Lift up a flag on the bare top of a hill, to signal that an army should come to attack Babylon. Shout to them and wave your hand to signal to them that they should march through the city gates into the palaces of the proud rulers of Babylon!

Unlocked Literal Bible

On the bare mountain set up a signal flag, cry aloud to them, wave your hand for them to go into the gates of the nobles.

Noah Webster Bible

Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice to them, shake the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles.

World English Bible

Set up a banner on the bare mountain! Lift up your voice to them! Wave your hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles.

Young's Literal Translation

'On a high mountain lift ye up an ensign, Raise the voice to them, wave the hand, And they go in to the openings of nobles.

Context

The Burden against Babylon

¹This is the burden against Babylon that Isaiah son of Amoz received: ²Raise a banner on a barren hilltop; call aloud to them. Wave your hand, that they may enter the gates of the nobles. ³I have commanded My sanctified ones; I have even summoned My warriors to execute My wrath and exult in My triumph.

Summary

Isaiah 13:2 serves as a call to action for raising a banner on a bare hill to signal the impending invasion of Babylon by the Medes. This verse symbolizes the sovereignty of God over nations and His use of foreign powers to execute judgment. It reflects the prophetic nature of Isaiah's message, warning of the consequences of sin and the fulfillment of God's divine plan through historical events. The imagery of the banner signifies the certainty of God's word and the importance of heeding His warnings to avoid destruction.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
Keil-Delitzsch
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Tyndale

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Exalt the voice - The word להם lahem, "to them," which is of no use, and rather weakens the sentence, is omitted by an ancient MS., and the Vulgate.

John Gill Bible Commentary

Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain,.... Or "upon the mountain Nishphah"; some high mountain in Media or Persia, proper to set a standard on, or erect a banner for the gathering men together, to enlist themselves as soldiers, and so form an army to march into the land of Chaldea. Vitringa thinks there may be an allusion to the mountain Zagrius, which divides Media and Persia from Assyria, mentioned by Strabo (x). Or "upon a high mountain"; any high mountain fit for such a purpose; or "against the high mountain", as some (y) read it; meaning Babylon, called a mountain, Jer 51:25 not because of its situation, for it was in a plain; but because of its eminence above other cities and states. The Targum is, "against the city that dwells securely, lift up a sign;'' a token of war, proclaim war against it, that lives at ease, and is in peace; and so the word is used in the Talmudic language, as Kimchi observes; and to this agrees Jarchi's note, "to gather against the mountain that is quiet, and trusts in its tranquillity, lift up a banner to the nations.'' Exalt the voice unto them; the Medes, mentioned by name in Isa 13:17 such as were within call, or were gathered together by the lifting up of the banner; such were to be urged with great vehemency to enlist themselves, and engage in a war against Babylon: shake the hand; beckon with it to them that are afar off, that cannot hear the voice: that they may go into the gates of the nobles; that dwell in the city of Babylon, where they might expect to find rich plunder; though some understand this of the nobles or princes of the Medes and Persians, as Kimchi observes, that should enter through the gates of Babylon into the city; and by others it is interpreted of the soldiers coming to the doors of the leaders or generals of the army, to give in their names, and enlist themselves in their service; which well agrees with what goes before. (x) Geograph. l. 11. p. 359. (y) "contra montem excelsum", Forerius, Sanctius.

Isaiah 13:2

The Burden against Babylon

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

Raise a banner on a barren hilltop; call aloud to them. Wave your hand, that they may enter the gates of the nobles.

American Standard Version (1901)

Set ye up an ensign upon the bare mountain, lift up the voice unto them, wave the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles.

Bible in Basic English

Put up a flag on a clear mountain-top, make a loud outcry to them, give directions with the hand, so that they may go into the doors of the great ones.

Free Bible Version

Set up a banner on a bare hilltop; shout out to them; wave your hand to encourage them to enter the palaces of princes.

Geneva Bible 1599

Lift vp a standard vpon the hie mountaine: lift vp the voyce vnto them: wagge the hand, that they may goe into the gates of the nobles.

King James (Authorized) Version

Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice unto them, shake the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles.

One Unity Resource Bible

Set up a banner on the bare mountain! Lift up your voice to them! Wave your hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles.

Translation for Translators

Unlocked Literal Bible

On the bare mountain set up a signal flag, cry aloud to them, wave your hand for them to go into the gates of the nobles.

Noah Webster Bible

Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice to them, shake the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles.

World English Bible

Set up a banner on the bare mountain! Lift up your voice to them! Wave your hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles.

Young's Literal Translation

'On a high mountain lift ye up an ensign, Raise the voice to them, wave the hand, And they go in to the openings of nobles.

Adam Clarke
Keil-Delitzsch
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Tyndale

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Exalt the voice - The word להם lahem, "to them," which is of no use, and rather weakens the sentence, is omitted by an ancient MS., and the Vulgate.

John Gill Bible Commentary

Isaiah 13:2

Verse

Context

The Burden against Babylon

Summary

Commentary

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes

Isaiah 13:2

The Burden against Babylon

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes