Isaiah 13:11
And I 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.
Original Language Analysis
וּפָקַדְתִּ֤י
And I will punish
H6485
וּפָקַדְתִּ֤י
And I will punish
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
1 of 13
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 13
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
תֵּבֵל֙
the world
H8398
תֵּבֵל֙
the world
Strong's:
H8398
Word #:
3 of 13
the earth (as moist and therefore inhabited); by extension, the globe; by implication, its inhabitants; specifically, a particular land, as babylonia,
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 13
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
רְשָׁעִ֖ים
and the wicked
H7563
רְשָׁעִ֖ים
and the wicked
Strong's:
H7563
Word #:
6 of 13
morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
וְהִשְׁבַּתִּי֙
to cease
H7673
וְהִשְׁבַּתִּי֙
to cease
Strong's:
H7673
Word #:
8 of 13
to repose, i.e., desist from exertion; used in many implied relations (causative, figurative or specific)
וְגַאֲוַ֥ת
the haughtiness
H1346
וְגַאֲוַ֥ת
the haughtiness
Strong's:
H1346
Word #:
11 of 13
arrogance or majesty; by implication, (concretely) ornament
Historical Context
While immediately applicable to Babylon, this verse establishes God's pattern of judging all wicked nations. Throughout history, God has humbled proud empires—Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome, and modern powers. The principle persists: God opposes the proud, judges wickedness universally. Final fulfillment comes at Christ's return when all evil is permanently judged. Babylon's judgment was microcosm of God's comprehensive opposition to evil.
Questions for Reflection
- How do judgments on specific nations reveal universal principles of divine justice?
- What does God's consistent opposition to pride teach about His character?
- How should we as individuals and nations avoid the pride that provokes divine judgment?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God declares He will 'punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity.' The judgment extends beyond Babylon to universal scope—'the world.' Specific targets: pride of the arrogant, haughtiness of the terrible (violent oppressors). This demonstrates that while historical judgments target specific nations (Babylon), they represent principles of universal judgment. God opposes pride and wickedness everywhere. No nation, however powerful, escapes accountability for evil.