Bible Strands
Isaiah 13:6
Wail, for the Day of the LORD is near; it will come as destruction from the Almighty.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The prophet issues a prophetic declaration regarding impending divine judgment following a description of armies gathering from distant lands to destroy a region.
The words — הֵילִ֕ילוּ (hei.Li.lu) literally means wail, and יְהוָ֑ה (Yah.weh) denotes Yahweh.
The thread — The phrase "Day of the LORD is near" and the motif of destruction from the Almighty recur in Joel 1:15 and Amos 5:18, while Isaiah 13:9 expands on the coming day as cruel and fury-driven.
Why it lands — The text states that divine judgment is imminent and will arrive as devastation from the Almighty. It requires the reader to acknowledge the certainty of that judgment and the resulting collapse of human strength before interpreting its theological implications.
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
Howl ye; for the day of the Lord is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.
Cross-references
- Joel 1:15 Alas for the day! For the Day of the LORD is near, and it will come as destruction from the Almighty.
- Amos 5:18 Woe to you who long for the Day of the LORD! What will the Day of the LORD be for you? It will be darkness and not light.
- Isaiah 13:9 Behold, the Day of the LORD is coming—cruel, with fury and burning anger—to make the earth a desolation and to destroy the sinners within it.
- Ezekiel 30:2 “Son of man, prophesy and declare that this is what the Lord GOD says: Wail, ‘Alas for that day!’
- Zephaniah 1:7 Be silent in the presence of the Lord GOD, for the Day of the LORD is near. Indeed, the LORD has prepared a sacrifice; He has consecrated His guests.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:2 For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
- Isaiah 2:12 For the Day of the LORD of Hosts will come against all the proud and lofty, against all that is exalted—it will be humbled—
- Isaiah 34:8 For the LORD has a day of vengeance, a year of recompense for the cause of Zion.
- Jeremiah 51:8 Suddenly Babylon has fallen and been shattered. Wail for her; get her balm for her pain; perhaps she can be healed.
- Joel 2:11 The LORD raises His voice in the presence of His army. Indeed, His camp is very large, for mighty are those who obey His command. For the Day of the LORD is great and very dreadful. Who can endure it?