Isa 13:9-13 | JFB | STEP | 9. cruel-- not strictly, but unsparingly just; opposed to mercy. Also answering to the cruelty (in the strict sense) of Babylon towards others ( ) now about to be visited on itself. the land-- "the earth" [Horsley]. The language of can only primarily and partially apply to Babylon; fully and exhaustively, the judgments to come, hereafter, on the whole earth. Compare with ; . The sins of Babylon, arrogancy ( ; ; , ), cruelty, false worship ( ), persecution of the people of God ( ), are peculiarly characteristic of the Antichristian world of the latter days ( ; , ; , , 24).

‏ Isaiah 13:9-13

9. cruel--not strictly, but unsparingly just; opposed to mercy. Also answering to the cruelty (in the strict sense) of Babylon towards others (Is 14:17) now about to be visited on itself.

the land--"the earth" [Horsley]. The language of Is 13:9-13 can only primarily and partially apply to Babylon; fully and exhaustively, the judgments to come, hereafter, on the whole earth. Compare Is 13:10 with Mt 24:29; Re 8:12. The sins of Babylon, arrogancy (Is 13:11; Is 14:11; 47:7, 8), cruelty, false worship (Jr 50:38), persecution of the people of God (Is 47:6), are peculiarly characteristic of the Antichristian world of the latter days (Da 11:32-37; Re 17:3, 6; 18:6, 7, 9-14, 24).

10. stars, &c.--figuratively for anarchy, distress, and revolutions of kingdoms (Is 34:4; Joe 2:10; Eze 32:7, 8; Am 8:9; Re 6:12-14). There may be a literal fulfilment finally, shadowed forth under this imagery (Re 21:1).

constellations--Hebrew, "a fool," or "impious one"; applied to the constellation Orion, which was represented as an impious giant (Nimrod deified, the founder of Babylon) chained to the sky. See on Job 38:31.

11. world--the impious of the world (compare Is 11:4).

arrogancy--Babylon's besetting sin (Da 4:22, 30).

the terrible--rather, tyrants [Horsley].

12. man ... precious--I will so cut off Babylon's defenders, that a single man shall be as rare and precious as the finest gold.

13. Image for mighty revolutions (Is 24:19; 34:4; Ha 3:6, 10; Hag 2:6, 7; Re 20:11).