Isaiah 13:1

“The burden of Babylon, &c.] That is, a prophecy concerning Babylon, as the word is rendered, (<203101>Proverbs 31:1). The Septuagint and Arabic versions translate it “the vision”; it signifies a taking upf240 a speech against it, and pronouncing a heavy sentence on it, such an one as should sink it into utter destruction; which will be the case of mystical Babylon, when it shall be as a millstone cast into the sea, never to be brought up again, (<661821>Revelation 18:21). The Targum is, “the burden of the cup of cursing to give Babylon to drink:” after some prophecies concerning the Messiah and his kingdom, and the church’s song of praise for salvation by him, others are delivered out…”

“THE THIRTEENTH THROUGH TWENTY-THIRD CHAPTERS CONTAIN PROPHECIES AS TO FOREIGN NATIONS.--THE THIRTEENTH, FOURTEENTH, AND TWENTY-SEVENTH CHAPTERS AS TO BABYLON AND ASSYRIA. (Isa. 13:1-22) burden--weighty or mournful prophecy [GROTIUS]. Otherwise, simply, the prophetical declaration, from a Hebrew root to put forth with the voice anything, as in Num 23:7 [MAURER]. of Babylon--concerning Babylon.”

“The burden of Babylon - Or, the burden “respecting,” or “concerning” Babylon. This prophecy is introduced in a different manner from those which have preceded. The terms which Isaiah employed in the commencement of his previous prophecies, were vision (see the note at Isaiah 1:1), or word Isaiah 2:1. There has been considerable diversity of opinion in regard to the meaning of the word ‘burden,’ which is here employed. The Vulgate renders it, Onus - ‘Burden,’ in the sense of load. The Septuagint Ὅρασις Horasis - ‘Vision.’ The Chaldee, ‘The burden of the cup of malediction which draws near to Babylon.’ The Hebrew word משׂא mas's'â', from נשׂא nâs'â', to lift, to raise up, to bear, to bear…”

“The burden - This title is commonly given to sad prophecies, which indeed are grievous burdens to them on whom they are laid. Babylon - Of the city and empire of Babylon by Cyrus. Isaiah 13:2”

“13:1–23:18 This section contains prophecies of judgment against the nations. By including a prophecy against Judah and Jerusalem (22:1-25) in the midst of prophecies against the pagan nations, Isaiah emphasized that Israel’s identity as God’s people would not protect them from God’s punishment when they sinned as the other nations do. 13:1 At the time of this prophecy, Assyria was the major power. Isaiah anticipated the rise of Babylon as an even crueler kingdom that would destroy Judah and Jerusalem (39:6-7; chs 46–47). The universal language of 13:1–14:23 suggests that in this context, Babylon represents all wicked and arrogant nations in the same way that “Babylon the Great” does in the…”

“am 3292, bc 712 burden: Isa 14:28, Isa 15:1, Isa 17:1, Isa 19:1, Isa 21:1, Isa 21:11, Isa 21:13, Isa 22:1, Isa 22:25, Isa 23:1; Jer 23:33-38; Eze 12:10; Nah 1:1; Hab 1:1; Zac 9:1, Zac 12:1; Mal 1:1 of Babylon: Isa. 14:4-23, Isa 21:1-10, Isa 43:14, Isa 44:1, Isa 44:2, Isa 47:1-15; Jer 25:12-26, 50:1-51:23; Dan. 5:28-6:28; Rev. 17:1-18:24 which Isaiah: Isa 1:1 Isaiah 13:2”

“The heading in Isa 13:1, "Oracle concerning Babel, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see," shows that chapter 13 forms the commencement of another part of the whole book. Massâh (from נסא), efferre, then effari, Exo 20:7) signifies, as we may see from Kg2 9:25, effatum, the verdict or oracle, more especially the verdict of God, and generally, perhaps always, the judicial sentence of God, (Note: In Zac 12:1. the promise has, at any rate, a dark side. In Lam 2:14 there is no necessity to think of promises in connection with the mas'oth; and Pro 30:1 and Pro 31:1 cannot help us to determine the prophetic use of the word.) though without introducing the idea of onus (burden), which is the…”