Isaiah 13:2
Isaiah 13:2 in Multiple Translations
Raise a banner on a barren hilltop; call aloud to them. Wave your hand, that they may enter the gates of the nobles.
Lift 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.
Set ye up an ensign upon the bare mountain, lift up the voice unto them, wave the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles.
Put up a flag on a clear mountain-top, make a loud outcry to them, give directions with the hand, so that they may go into the doors of the great ones.
Set up a banner on a bare hilltop; shout out to them; wave your hand to encourage them to enter the palaces of princes.
Lift vp a standard vpon the hie mountaine: lift vp the voyce vnto them: wagge the hand, that they may goe into the gates of the nobles.
'On a high mountain lift ye up an ensign, Raise the voice to them, wave the hand, And they go in to the openings of nobles.
Set up a banner on the bare mountain! Lift up your voice to them! Wave your hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles.
Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice to them, shake the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles.
Upon the dark mountain lift ye up a banner, exalt the voice, lift up the hand, and let the rulers go into the gates.
Lift up a flag on the bare top of a hill, to signal that an army should come to attack Babylon. Shout to them and wave your hand to signal to them that they should march through the city gates into the palaces of the proud rulers of Babylon!
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 13:2
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Isaiah 13:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 13:2
Study Notes — Isaiah 13:2
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 13:2 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 13:2
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 13:2
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 13:2
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 13:2
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 13:2
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 13:2
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 13:2
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 13:2
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 13:2
- Sermons on Isaiah 13:2
Context — The Burden against Babylon
2Raise a banner on a barren hilltop; call aloud to them. Wave your hand, that they may enter the gates of the nobles.
3I have commanded My sanctified ones; I have even summoned My warriors to execute My wrath and exult in My triumph. 4Listen, a tumult on the mountains, like that of a great multitude! Listen, an uproar among the kingdoms, like nations gathered together! The LORD of Hosts is mobilizing an army for war.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah 51:58 | This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Babylon’s thick walls will be leveled, and her high gates consumed by fire. So the labor of the people will be for nothing; the nations will exhaust themselves to fuel the flames.” |
| 2 | Isaiah 5:26 | He lifts a banner for the distant nations and whistles for those at the ends of the earth. Behold—how speedily and swiftly they come! |
| 3 | Jeremiah 50:2 | “Announce and declare to the nations; lift up a banner and proclaim it; hold nothing back when you say, ‘Babylon is captured; Bel is put to shame; Marduk is shattered, her images are disgraced, her idols are broken in pieces.’ |
| 4 | Jeremiah 51:25 | “Behold, I am against you, O destroying mountain, you who devastate the whole earth, declares the LORD. I will stretch out My hand against you; I will roll you over the cliffs and turn you into a charred mountain. |
| 5 | Isaiah 45:1–3 | This is what the LORD says to Cyrus His anointed, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him, to disarm kings, to open the doors before him, so that the gates will not be shut: “I will go before you and level the mountains; I will break down the gates of bronze and cut through the bars of iron. I will give you the treasures of darkness and the riches hidden in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who calls you by name. |
| 6 | Isaiah 10:32 | Yet today they will halt at Nob, shaking a fist at the mount of Daughter Zion, at the hill of Jerusalem. |
| 7 | Isaiah 18:3 | All you people of the world and dwellers of the earth, when a banner is raised on the mountains, you will see it; when a ram’s horn sounds, you will hear it. |
| 8 | Isaiah 11:12 | He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; He will collect the scattered of Judah from the four corners of the earth. |
| 9 | Isaiah 11:15 | The LORD will devote to destruction the gulf of the Sea of Egypt; with a scorching wind He will sweep His hand over the Euphrates. He will split it into seven streams for men to cross with dry sandals. |
| 10 | Jeremiah 51:27–28 | “Raise a banner in the land! Blow the ram’s horn among the nations! Prepare the nations against her. Summon the kingdoms against her— Ararat, Minni, and Ashkenaz. Appoint a captain against her; bring up horses like swarming locusts. Prepare the nations for battle against her— the kings of the Medes, their governors and all their officials, and all the lands they rule. |
Isaiah 13:2 Summary
Isaiah 13:2 is a call to action, where God is gathering His armies to move against the city of Babylon. The banner on the barren hilltop is a signal for the armies to gather and prepare for battle, similar to how God gathered His people in Exodus 17:15. This verse shows us that God is in control of all nations and is sovereign over all things, as seen in Psalm 103:19. By trusting in God's power and plan, we can have confidence in His goodness and wisdom, just like the psalmist in Psalm 23:4.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the banner on the barren hilltop represent in Isaiah 13:2?
The banner is a call to gather the armies of God to prepare for battle against Babylon, as seen in Isaiah 13:2, similar to how God gathered His people in Exodus 17:15 to defeat their enemies.
Who are the nobles mentioned in Isaiah 13:2?
The nobles refer to the rulers and leaders of Babylon, whom God is calling to account for their actions, as also seen in Isaiah 13:3 where God summons His warriors to execute His wrath.
What is the purpose of waving the hand in Isaiah 13:2?
Waving the hand is a signal for the armies to move forward and enter the gates of the nobles, symbolizing the invasion and conquest of Babylon, much like the way God instructed Moses to stretch out his hand in Exodus 14:21 to part the Red Sea.
How does this verse relate to God's plan of salvation?
This verse shows God's sovereignty and power over all nations, including Babylon, and points to His ultimate plan of salvation, as seen in Revelation 19:11-16, where Jesus Christ conquers all nations and establishes His kingdom.
Reflection Questions
- What does it mean to raise a banner for God in my own life, and how can I be a part of His plan to gather His people?
- How can I apply the principle of obedience, as seen in Isaiah 13:2, to my own life and trust in God's sovereignty?
- In what ways can I be a part of God's army, as mentioned in Isaiah 13:3, and how can I prepare myself for the spiritual battles ahead?
- What does this verse teach me about God's power and control over the nations, and how can I trust in His goodness and wisdom?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 13:2
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 13:2
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 13:2
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 13:2
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 13:2
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 13:2
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 13:2
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 13:2
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 13:2
Sermons on Isaiah 13:2
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Living as Jesus Lived) 9. the Bride of Christ by Zac Poonen | Zac Poonen emphasizes the stark contrast between the Bride of Christ and the Harlot church, illustrating how the Holy Spirit's work results in a glorious, holy city, while Satan's |
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Commentary Notes - Jeremiah by Walter Beuttler | Walter Beuttler preaches about the life and prophecies of the Prophet Jeremiah, highlighting his call at a young age, his tender and retiring personality, and his unwavering commit |
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(In the Word) 11 - the Mother of Harlots by Milton Green | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of following the Word of God rather than adhering to old traditions or wrong teachings. They urge listeners to listen to the e |
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(Saved Through the Fire) 13 - God's True Message by Milton Green | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the concept of the day of the Lord, where God will judge and punish all nations based on their actions. He warns that whatever one gives out |
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Epistle 236 by George Fox | George Fox preaches about the enduring power of truth and the sovereignty of God amidst trials and tribulations. He encourages believers to find strength in Christ, the bread of li |
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Battling With God by Alan Redpath | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the power and sovereignty of God in the context of the Babylonian captivity of Israel. He emphasizes that even though Babylon was immensely p |
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(Through the Bible) Ezra by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker talks about a man who had been bragging to the king about the power and greatness of God. As a result, the king gave him a lot of gold and silver, but n |






