Isaiah 13:12
Isaiah 13:12 in Multiple Translations
I will make man scarcer than pure gold, and mankind rarer than the gold of Ophir.
I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.
I will make a man more rare than fine gold, even a man than the pure gold of Ophir.
I will make men so small in number, that a man will be harder to get than gold, even the best gold of Ophir.
I will make people scarcer than pure gold, rarer than the gold of Ophir.
I will make a man more precious then fine golde, euen a man aboue the wedge of golde of Ophir.
I make man more rare than fine gold, And a common man than pure gold of Ophir.
I will make people more rare than fine gold, even a person than the pure gold of Ophir.
I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.
A man shall be more precious than gold, yea a man than the finest of gold.
And because I will cause most people to die, people will be harder to find than gold, harder to find than fine gold from Ophir in Arabia.
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 13:12
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Isaiah 13:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אוֹקִ֥יר
אֱנ֖וֹשׁ
מִ/פָּ֑ז
וְ/אָדָ֖ם
מִ/כֶּ֥תֶם
אוֹפִֽיר
אוֹקִ֥יר
yâqar
H3365
be precious
V-Hiphil-Imperf-1cs
אֱנ֖וֹשׁ
ʼĕnôwsh
H582
human
N-ms
מִ/פָּ֑ז
pâz
H6337
pure gold
Prep | N-ms
וְ/אָדָ֖ם
ʼâdâm
H120
the man (Adam)
Conj | N-ms
מִ/כֶּ֥תֶם
kethem
H3800
gold
Prep | N-ms
אוֹפִֽיר
ʼÔwphîyr
H211
Ophir
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 13:12
אוֹקִ֥יר
yâqar
H3365
"be precious"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-1cs
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to be precious or valuable, and can also mean to make something rare. It is used to describe something highly valued or esteemed, like a precious stone.
Definition: 1) to esteem, be prized, be valuable, be precious, be costly, be appraised 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be precious, be highly valued, be esteemed, be costly 1a2) to be appraised 1b) (Hiphil) to make something precious
Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: be (make) precious, be prized, be set by, withdraw. See also: 1 Samuel 18:30; Psalms 72:14; Psalms 49:9.
אֱנ֖וֹשׁ
ʼĕnôwsh
H582
"human"
N-ms
Enosh refers to a human or mankind in general, used to describe individuals or people as a whole in the Bible.
Definition: 1) man, mortal man, person, mankind 1a) of an individual 1b) men (collective) 1c) man, mankind Aramaic equivalent: e.nash (אֱנָשׁ "man" H0606)
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: another, [idiom] (blood-) thirsty, certain, chap(-man); divers, fellow, [idiom] in the flower of their age, husband, (certain, mortal) man, people, person, servant, some ([idiom] of them), [phrase] stranger, those, [phrase] their trade. It is often unexpressed in the English versions, especially when used in apposition with another word. Compare H376 (אִישׁ). See also: Deuteronomy 32:26; Psalms 8:5; Psalms 9:20.
מִ/פָּ֑ז
pâz
H6337
"pure gold"
Prep | N-ms
Pure gold, or refined gold, is a valuable metal used in the Bible. It is translated as fine gold in the KJV.
Definition: refined or pure gold
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: fine (pure) gold. See also: Job 28:17; Proverbs 8:19; Psalms 19:11.
וְ/אָדָ֖ם
ʼâdâm
H120
"the man (Adam)"
Conj | N-ms
Adam was the first human, created by God and mentioned in Genesis 2:19, who married Eve and had sons including Cain, Abel, and Seth.
Definition: The first named man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.2.19; married to Eve (H2332); father of: Cain (H7014B), Abel (H1893) and Seth (H8352); also translated "man" at Gen.2.19,21,23; 3.8,9,20; 5.2; "mankind" at Deu.32.8; "others" at Job.31.33; Another spelling of a.dam (אָדָם "Adam" H0121) man, human being
Usage: Occurs in 526 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low, man (mean, of low degree), person. See also: Genesis 1:26; Judges 18:7; Psalms 8:5.
מִ/כֶּ֥תֶם
kethem
H3800
"gold"
Prep | N-ms
This word refers to pure gold, often used to describe valuable items like the golden ornaments in the Temple.
Definition: gold, pure gold
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: ((most) fine, pure) gold(-en wedge). See also: Job 28:16; Proverbs 25:12; Psalms 45:10.
אוֹפִֽיר
ʼÔwphîyr
H211
"Ophir"
N-proper
Ophir is a name and a place in the Bible, referring to a son of Joktan and a region in southern Arabia known for its gold trade. King Solomon traded with Ophir to obtain gold and other valuable goods.
Definition: § Ophir = "reducing to ashes" a land or city in southern Arabia in Solomon's trade route where gold evidently was traded for goods
Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: Ophir. See also: Genesis 10:29; 2 Chronicles 8:18; Psalms 45:10.
Study Notes — Isaiah 13:12
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 13:12 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 13:12
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 13:12
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 13:12
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 13:12
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 13:12
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 13:12
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 13:12
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 13:12
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 13:12
- Sermons on Isaiah 13:12
Context — The Burden against Babylon
10For the stars of heaven and their constellations will not give their light. The rising sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light.
11I will punish the world for its evil and the wicked for their iniquity. I will end the haughtiness of the arrogant and lay low the pride of the ruthless.
12I will make man scarcer than pure gold, and mankind rarer than the gold of Ophir.
13Therefore I will make the heavens tremble, and the earth will be shaken from its place at the wrath of the LORD of Hosts on the day of His burning anger. 14Like a hunted gazelle, like a sheep without a shepherd, each will return to his own people, each will flee to his native land.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 4:1 | In that day seven women will take hold of one man and say, “We will eat our own bread and provide our own clothes. Just let us be called by your name. Take away our disgrace!” |
| 2 | Isaiah 24:6 | Therefore a curse has consumed the earth, and its inhabitants must bear the guilt; the earth’s dwellers have been burned, and only a few survive. |
| 3 | Job 28:16 | It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx or sapphire. |
| 4 | Psalms 137:9 | Blessed is he who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks. |
| 5 | Isaiah 13:15–18 | Whoever is caught will be stabbed, and whoever is captured will die by the sword. Their infants will be dashed to pieces before their eyes, their houses will be looted, and their wives will be ravished. Behold, I will stir up against them the Medes, who have no regard for silver and no desire for gold. Their bows will dash young men to pieces; they will have no mercy on the fruit of the womb; they will not look with pity on the children. |
Isaiah 13:12 Summary
This verse means that God will make people very rare and valuable, like precious gold, because of a great judgment or catastrophe. This will be a time of great upheaval and change, as God punishes sin and evil, as seen in Isaiah 13:11. It's like when gold is refined in a furnace, and all the impurities are burned away, leaving only the pure gold, as described in 1 Peter 1:7. We can trust that God is in control, even in difficult times, and that He will use them to refine and purify us, as described in Romans 8:28.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for God to make man scarcer than pure gold?
This means that God will make people very rare and valuable, like precious gold, due to a significant reduction in population, possibly due to judgment or catastrophe, as seen in Isaiah 13:12 and also in Ezekiel 5:12 where a third of the people will die by the sword.
What is the gold of Ophir and why is it significant?
The gold of Ophir was known for its exceptional quality and value, as mentioned in 1 Kings 9:28, and God using it as a comparison emphasizes the extreme rarity of people in the future, highlighting the severity of the judgment.
Is this verse talking about the end of the world?
While Isaiah 13:12 does describe a time of great judgment and upheaval, it is not necessarily describing the very end of the world, but rather a time of God's wrath and punishment, as also described in Isaiah 2:10-21 and Revelation 6:12-17.
How does this verse relate to God's character?
This verse shows God's holiness and justice, as He punishes sin and evil, as seen in Isaiah 13:11, and also His sovereignty and power over all creation, as described in Psalm 115:3 and Romans 9:20-21.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that God's judgment can refine and purify His people, like gold in a furnace, as described in 1 Peter 1:7?
- How can I prepare myself for times of great upheaval and uncertainty, like those described in this verse?
- What are some things that I hold dear, like gold or treasure, that God may ask me to surrender or let go of in order to follow Him?
- How can I trust in God's sovereignty and goodness, even when faced with difficult or uncertain circumstances, as described in Romans 8:28 and Psalm 23:4?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 13:12
I will make a man more precious than fine gold,.... Which may denote either the scarcity of men in Babylon, through the slaughter made of them; so things that are scarce and rare are said to be
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 13:12
I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 13:12
The city and nation shall be so depopulated, that few men shall be left in it.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 13:12
Isaiah 13:12 I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.Ver. 12. I will make a man more precious.] Quod rarum, carum. Men shall be reduced to a small number, not nobles only, sed triobolares homunciones, but peasants; nor shall any money be taken in exchange for lives.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 13:12
(12) I will make a man more precious.—Both the words for man (e̓ ?nosh and a̓ ?dam) express, as in Psalms 8:2, the frailty of man’s nature. The words may point to the utter destruction, in which but few men should be left. The “gold of Ophir” (the gold coast near the mouth of the Indus) was proverbial for its preciousness (Job 22:24; Job 28:16; 1 Chronicles 29:4; 1 Kings 9:28; 1 Kings 22:48).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 13:12
Verse 12. I will make a man more precious than fine gold-wedge of Ophir.] The Medes and Persians will not be satisfied with the spoils of the Babylonians. They seek either to destroy or enslave them; and they will accept no ransom for any man-either for אנוש enosh, the poor man, or for אדם adam, the more honourable person. All must fall by the sword, or go into captivity together; for the Medes, (Isaiah 13:17,) regard not silver, and delight not in gold.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 13:12
12. golden wedge] Render simply gold. Both the words for gold are rare and poetic.
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 13:12
I will make a man ... - I will so cut off and destroy the men of Babylon, that a single man to defend the city will be more rare and valuable than fine gold.
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 13:12
11, 12. Punish the world — The Babylonian world, the symbol (Isaiah 13:5) of all resisting human wills and kingdoms of the earth hostile to God.
Sermons on Isaiah 13:12
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(The Word for Today) Isaiah 13:12 - Part 2 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith discusses the impending cataclysmic event that will terrorize the world. He describes the inhumanity of man to man that is often seen in war and |
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True Revival - the Presence of the Lord by Leonard Ravenhill | Leonard Ravenhill emphasizes the necessity of experiencing the true presence of God for genuine revival, drawing from Isaiah 4 and the covenant with Abraham. He reflects on the lon |
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(February 1987) 06 - a New Pasture by Ray Lowe | In this sermon, the preacher talks about how many people are spending their money on things that do not satisfy their spiritual hunger. He emphasizes that God is gathering his scat |
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On Head Coverings by John Calvin | John Calvin preaches about the importance of maintaining decorum and order in sacred assemblies, emphasizing the significance of following traditions and practices that are rooted |