📖 Isaiah — Chapter 13 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Isaiah 13:1 The Rburden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see.
Isaiah 13:2 RLift 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.
Isaiah 13:3 I have Rcommanded my sanctified ones, I have also called my mighty ones for mine anger, even them that rejoice in my highness.
Isaiah 13:4 The noise of a multitude in the mountains, RTlike as of a great people; a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together: the LORD of hosts mustereth the host of the battle.
Isaiah 13:5 They come Rfrom a far country, from the end of heaven, even the LORD, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land.
Isaiah 13:6 RHowl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.
Isaiah 13:7 Therefore Rshall all hands Tbe faint, and every man’s heart shall melt:
Isaiah 13:8 And they shall be afraid: Rpangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall Tbe amazed Tone at another; their faces shall be as Tflames.
Isaiah 13:9 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, Rcruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.
Isaiah 13:10 For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.
Isaiah 13:11 And RI will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.
Isaiah 13:12 I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.
Isaiah 13:13 Therefore RI will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.
Isaiah 13:14 And it shall be Ras the chased roe, and as a sheep that no man taketh up: they shall every man turn to his own people, and flee every one into his own land.
Isaiah 13:15 Every one that is found shall be thrust through; and every one that is joined unto them shall fall by the sword.
Isaiah 13:16 Their Rchildren also shall be dashed to pieces before their eyes; their houses shall be spoiled, and their wives ravished.
Isaiah 13:17 Behold, RI will stir up the Medes against them, which shall not regard silver; and as for gold, they shall not delight in it.
Isaiah 13:18 Their bows also Rshall dash the young men to pieces; and they shall have no pity on the fruit of the womb; their eyes shall not spare children.
Isaiah 13:19 And RBabylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees’ excellency, shall be Tas when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.
Isaiah 13:20 It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there.
Isaiah 13:21 RBut Twild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of Tdoleful creatures; and Towls shall dwell there, and satyrs shall dance there.
Isaiah 13:22 And RTthe wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their Tdesolate houses, and dragons in their pleasant palaces: and her time is near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Isaiah 13:1–8 — The burden concerning Babylon
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
A gathered army and fearful upheaval open the Babylon oracle. The vision portrays the disruption of imperial security rather than treating powerful kingdoms as untouchable.
Key Truth: Earthly empires are not beyond judgment.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the ____ of Amoz did see.” (Isaiah 13:1)
Find it in Isaiah 13:1 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “… the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall ____ as a destruction from the Almighty.” (Isaiah 13:6)
Find it in Isaiah 13:6 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “And they shall be ____ : pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they …” (Isaiah 13:8)
Find it in Isaiah 13:8 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Isaiah 13:9–15 — Pride confronted on the Lord’s day
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Darkened heavens and shaking earth accompany judgment on wickedness and arrogance. The language exposes the frailty of human life amid catastrophic conflict.
Key Truth: Do not confuse power with permanence.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “… the earth shall remove out of her place, in the ____ of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of …” (Isaiah 13:13)
Find it in Isaiah 13:13 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “I will make a man more precious than fine ____ ; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.” (Isaiah 13:12)
Find it in Isaiah 13:12 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “Every one that is ____ shall be thrust through; and every one that is joined …” (Isaiah 13:15)
Find it in Isaiah 13:15 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Isaiah 13:16–22 — Babylon’s splendor becomes desolation
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The prophecy names the Medes and describes brutal war and deserted palaces. Narrating assault and the death of children does not command readers to imitate such atrocities.
Key Truth: Read judgment with seriousness, not delight in suffering.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “Their ____ also shall be dashed to pieces before their eyes; their …” (Isaiah 13:16)
Find it in Isaiah 13:16 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “And ____ , the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees’ …” (Isaiah 13:19)
Find it in Isaiah 13:19 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “But ____ beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses …” (Isaiah 13:21)
Find it in Isaiah 13:21 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Isaiah 2:12 — Proud exaltation is also confronted there.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
How can awareness of fragile power encourage humility and compassion?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. Which kingdom frames this prophetic burden?
2. How is the day of the LORD introduced?
3. What moral failures are expressly targeted?
4. Why will silver and gold not secure the threatened people?
5. What comparison overturns Babylon’s magnificent reputation?
Notes
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