Bible Strands
Isaiah 13:1
This is the burden against Babylon that Isaiah son of Amoz received:
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Isaiah son of Amoz receives a prophetic burden against Babylon. This introductory statement precedes a command to raise a banner on a barren hilltop to gather an army.
The words — The Hebrew term מַשָּׂ֖א (ma.Sa') translates literally to "oracle" or "burden," denoting a heavy prophetic pronouncement. The verb חָזָ֔ה (cha.Zah) means "he saw," indicating a visual revelation received by Isaiah.
The thread — Similar prophetic introductions appear in Isaiah 1:1 and Jeremiah 50:1, where divine messages concerning Judah and Babylon are formally declared. The judgment theme continues in Isaiah 47:1, which commands the "Virgin Daughter of Babylon" to sit in dust.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition of Babylon as the target of a divinely authorized judgment. It requires the reader to prepare for the subsequent mobilization of forces against the city.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 47:1 “Go down and sit in the dust, O Virgin Daughter of Babylon. Sit on the ground without a throne, O Daughter of the Chaldeans! For you will no longer be called tender or delicate.
- Jeremiah 50:1 This is the word that the LORD spoke through Jeremiah the prophet concerning Babylon and the land of the Chaldeans:
- Isaiah 1:1 This is the vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
- Daniel 5:6 his face grew pale and his thoughts so alarmed him that his hips gave way and his knees knocked together.
- Daniel 5:28 PERES means that your kingdom has been divided and given over to the Medes and Persians.”
- Revelation 17:1 Then one of the seven angels with the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters.
- Isaiah 13:19 And Babylon, the jewel of the kingdoms, the glory of the pride of the Chaldeans, will be overthrown by God like Sodom and Gomorrah.
- Isaiah 14:4 you will sing this song of contempt against the king of Babylon: How the oppressor has ceased, and how his fury has ended!
- Isaiah 14:28 In the year that King Ahaz died, this burden was received:
- Isaiah 15:1 This is the burden against Moab: Ar in Moab is ruined, destroyed in a night! Kir in Moab is devastated, destroyed in a night!