Isaiah 13:6
Isaiah 13:6 in Multiple Translations
Wail, for the Day of the LORD is near; it will come as destruction from the Almighty.
¶ Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.
Wail ye; for the day of Jehovah is at hand; as destruction from the Almighty shall it come.
Send out a cry of grief; for the day of the Lord is near; it comes as destruction from the Most High.
Howl in fear, for the day of the Lord is approaching—the time when the Almighty destroys.
Howle you, for the day of the Lord is at hande: it shall come as a destroier from the Almightie.
Howl ye, for near [is] the day of Jehovah, As destruction from the Mighty it cometh.
Wail, for the LORD’s day is at hand! It will come as destruction from the Almighty.
Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.
Howl ye, for the day of the Lord is near: it shall come as a destruction from the Lord.
You people of Babylon will scream because you will be terrified, because it will be the time that Yahweh has determined/chosen, the time for the all-powerful God to destroy your city.
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 13:6
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 13:6 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
הֵילִ֕ילוּ
כִּ֥י
קָר֖וֹב
י֣וֹם
יְהוָ֑ה
כְּ/שֹׁ֖ד
מִ/שַּׁדַּ֥י
יָבֽוֹא
הֵילִ֕ילוּ
yâlal
H3213
to wail
V-Hiphil-Impv-2mp
כִּ֥י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
קָר֖וֹב
qârôwb
H7138
near
Adj
י֣וֹם
yôwm
H3117
day
N-ms
יְהוָ֑ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
כְּ/שֹׁ֖ד
shôd
H7701
violence
Prep | N-ms
מִ/שַּׁדַּ֥י
Shadday
H7706
Almighty
Prep | N-proper
יָבֽוֹא
bôwʼ
H935
Lebo
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 13:6
הֵילִ֕ילוּ
yâlal
H3213
"to wail"
V-Hiphil-Impv-2mp
This word means to wail or howl, expressing strong emotions like sadness or pain, used to describe a loud, mournful cry.
Definition: (Hiphil) to howl, wail, make a howling
Usage: Occurs in 28 OT verses. KJV: (make to) howl, be howling. See also: Isaiah 13:6; Jeremiah 48:31; Isaiah 14:31.
כִּ֥י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
קָר֖וֹב
qârôwb
H7138
"near"
Adj
This Hebrew word means near, describing something close in place, time, or relationship. It is used in the book of Genesis to describe family relationships. The word is used to describe a close connection.
Definition: 1) near 1a) of place 1b) of time 1c) of personal relationship 1c1) kinship
Usage: Occurs in 76 OT verses. KJV: allied, approach, at hand, [phrase] any of kin, kinsfold(-sman), (that is) near (of kin), neighbour, (that is) next, (them that come) nigh (at hand), more ready, short(-ly). See also: Genesis 19:20; Psalms 75:2; Psalms 15:3.
י֣וֹם
yôwm
H3117
"day"
N-ms
The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow
Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.
יְהוָ֑ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
כְּ/שֹׁ֖ד
shôd
H7701
"violence"
Prep | N-ms
In the Bible, this word means violence or destruction, often referring to social sin or ruin, as seen in the desolation of cities like Sodom and Gomorrah. It is used to describe the devastating effects of war and oppression. This concept is discussed in books like Isaiah and Jeremiah.
Definition: 1) havoc, violence, destruction, devastation, ruin 1a) violence, havoc (as social sin) 1b) devastation, ruin
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: desolation, destruction, oppression, robbery, spoil(-ed, -er, -ing), wasting. See also: Job 5:21; Jeremiah 20:8; Psalms 12:6.
מִ/שַּׁדַּ֥י
Shadday
H7706
"Almighty"
Prep | N-proper
Shadday means Almighty, referring to God's great power. It is another name for the Lord, emphasizing His strength and might. This name is used in the Bible to describe God's power and authority.
Definition: Shaddai, the Almighty (God) Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G) This name means almighty, most powerful
Usage: Occurs in 48 OT verses. KJV: Almighty. See also: Genesis 17:1; Job 22:25; Psalms 68:15.
יָבֽוֹא
bôwʼ
H935
"Lebo"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.
Definition: A shortened name of Lebo Hamath complined withcha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574) This name means to go in, enter
Usage: Occurs in 2307 OT verses. KJV: abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. See also: Genesis 2:19; Genesis 32:7; Exodus 1:19.
Study Notes — Isaiah 13:6
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 13:6 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 13:6
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 13:6
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 13:6
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 13:6
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 13:6
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 13:6
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 13:6
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 13:6
- Sermons on Isaiah 13:6
Context — The Burden against Babylon
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.
5They are coming from faraway lands, from the ends of the heavens— the LORD and the weapons of His wrath— to destroy the whole country.
6Wail, for the Day of the LORD is near; it will come as destruction from the Almighty.
7Therefore all hands will fall limp, and every man’s heart will melt. 8Terror, pain, and anguish will seize them; they will writhe like a woman in labor. They will look at one another, their faces flushed with fear.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joel 1:15 | Alas for the day! For the Day of the LORD is near, and it will come as destruction from the Almighty. |
| 2 | 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. |
| 3 | 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. |
| 4 | Ezekiel 30:2–3 | “Son of man, prophesy and declare that this is what the Lord GOD says: Wail, ‘Alas for that day!’ For the day is near, the Day of the LORD is near. It will be a day of clouds, a time of doom for the nations. |
| 5 | 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. |
| 6 | 1 Thessalonians 5:2–3 | For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. |
| 7 | 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? |
| 8 | Isaiah 34:8 | For the LORD has a day of vengeance, a year of recompense for the cause of Zion. |
| 9 | Zephaniah 1:14 | The great Day of the LORD is near— near and coming quickly. Listen, the Day of the LORD! Then the cry of the mighty will be bitter. |
| 10 | Revelation 18:10 | In fear of her torment, they will stand at a distance and cry out: “Woe, woe to the great city, the mighty city of Babylon! For in a single hour your judgment has come.” |
Isaiah 13:6 Summary
Isaiah 13:6 is a warning that the Day of the LORD is near, and it will bring destruction from the Almighty. This is a call to repentance and a reminder that God is sovereign and all-powerful, as seen in Psalm 115:3. We should take this warning seriously and prepare our hearts for the judgment that is to come, just as the prophet Joel calls us to return to the LORD with all our heart (Joel 2:12-13). By doing so, we can find comfort and hope in the midst of destruction and judgment, knowing that God is our rock and refuge (Psalm 91:1-2).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Day of the LORD mentioned in Isaiah 13:6?
The Day of the LORD refers to a time of judgment and reckoning, as seen in other scriptures like Joel 2:31 and Isaiah 2:12, where God will pour out His wrath upon the nations.
Who is the Almighty in this verse?
The Almighty is a reference to God, the all-powerful and sovereign Creator of the universe, as seen in Genesis 17:1 and Psalm 91:1, who will bring destruction upon the earth.
Why should we wail according to this verse?
We should wail because the Day of the LORD is near, and it will bring destruction from the Almighty, as warned in Isaiah 13:6, and this should evoke a sense of sorrow and repentance, as seen in Joel 2:12-13.
Is this verse only for the Israelites or does it apply to all nations?
While the immediate context is directed towards the nations surrounding Israel, the principle of the Day of the LORD applies to all nations, as seen in Isaiah 13:5, where the whole country will be destroyed, and in Revelation 20:12, where all nations will be judged.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can prepare my heart for the Day of the LORD, and how can I use this verse as a call to repentance?
- How does the nearness of the Day of the LORD affect my daily life and priorities, and what changes can I make to align with God's will?
- In what ways can I find comfort and hope in the midst of destruction and judgment, and how can I share this hope with others?
- What are some practical ways I can wail and mourn over the sin in my life and in the world, as a response to the warning in Isaiah 13:6?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 13:6
Howl ye, for the day of the Lord is at hand,.... These words are an address to the Babylonians, who instead of rejoicing and feasting, as Belshazzar and his nobles were the night that Babylon was
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 13:6
Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty. The day of the Lord is at hand - the day of His vengeance on Babylon (Isaiah 2:12).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 13:6
It shall come as a destruction; or rather, a destruction or devastation shall come, as the LXX. and vulgar Latin render it. For this was not as a destruction, but was a destruction indeed. And the particle as is not seldom used to express, not the likeness, but the reality of the thing, as . From the Almighty; who fighteth for your adversaries, and against you, and therefore your destruction is unavoidable.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 13:6
Isaiah 13:6 Howl ye; for the day of the LORD [is] at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.Ver. 6. Howl ye.] "For the evils that are coming upon you" (as in James 5:1). We may well say the same to mystical Babylon. For the day of the Lord is at hand.] And yet it came not till over two hundred years after. Think the same of the day of judgment, and reckon that a thousand years with God is but as one day. It shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.] Heb., Cleshod Mishaddai, an elegance that cannot be translated. Shaddai (God’ s name) signifieth a conqueror, say some; a destroyer, say others, which a conqueror must needs be, - Eundem victorem et vastatorem esse oportet. Here is threatened a devastation from the devastator.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 13:6
(6) Howl ye; for the day of the Lord is at hand.—The verse is an almost verbal reproduction of Joe 1:15. On the “day of Jehovah,” see Note on Isaiah 2:12. As a destruction from the Almighty.—The Hebrew shodmish-Shaddai comes with the emphasis of assonance, possibly coupled with that of etymology, the Hebrew Shaddai being derived by many scholars from the verb Shadad =to destroy. On this assumption, “destruction from the destroyer” would be a fair equivalent. The name, occurring frequently in the earlier books of the Old Testament (twenty-three times in Job and eight in the Pentateuch), was characteristic of the pre-Mosaic creed of Israel (Exodus 6:3), and occurs but seldom in the prophets: here, and in Joe 1:15; Ezekiel 1:24; Ezekiel 10:5.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 13:6
6. The verse is almost identical with Joe 1:15. On the “day of Jehovah” see on ch. Isaiah 2:12. as a destruction from the Almighty] The Heb. phrase contains an alliteration which cannot be easily reproduced in English. The Germans render “wie Gewalt vom Gewaltigen.” The word for “Almighty” is the Divine name Shaddai (see Exodus 6:3), but its etymology is doubtful. According to one derivation it comes from the same root as the word for “destruction,” so that we might almost venture to translate “like destruction from the Destroyer.” This verse, however, can hardly be appealed to in support of that view, since it may imply nothing beyond the mere play upon words. (See further Robertson Smith, Old Test. in Jewish Church, pp. 423 f.)
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 13:6
Howl ye - Ye inhabitants of Babylon, in view of the approaching destruction. The day of the Lord - The time when Yahweh will inflict vengeance on you draws near (see the note at Isaiah 2:12; compare Isaiah 13:9).
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 13:6
6. Howl ye — Ye Babylonians. Day of the Lord — See Isaiah 2:12; also Joe 1:15. At hand — Soon to befall; also, to be of long continuance; this from the perspective nature of the prophecy.
Sermons on Isaiah 13:6
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Eternal Hell (1 of 2) by Art Katz | In this sermon transcript, the speaker expresses his frustration with the lack of preaching on the judgment of God and the impending return of Jesus as a judge. He longs for the re |
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The Fire of God's Judgment by Art Katz | In this sermon, the preacher describes a horrifying train journey through Europe, where people were living in filth and despair. He emphasizes the need for a message on the judgmen |
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The Decree of Judgment by Aaron Dunlop | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the concept of judgment and the decree of judgment as prescribed by the Lord. The sermon explores the idea that what we sow, we will reap, a |
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Bristol Conference 1962 - Part 4 by William MacDonald | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the book of Joel in the Bible and its relevance to our lives. The first section of the book describes a locust plague, emphasizing that every |
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The Devil's Lies About Hope by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes that in perilous times, God's people are called to take action rather than succumb to despair. He draws on the prophet Joel's message, urging believers t |
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Prayer in Troubled Times by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes the power of prayer during troubled times, urging the church not to remain passive but to take decisive spiritual action against the adversary. He draws |
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The Day of the Lord by John F. Walvoord | John F. Walvoord delves into 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, exploring the profound subject of the Day of the Lord. This passage unveils the impending events that will unfold globally, emp |