Isaiah Chapter 13 · Verse 17
Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, which shall not regard silver; and as for gold, they shall not delight in it.
Original Language Analysis
עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם
H5921
עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
3 of 13
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 13
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יַחְשֹׁ֔בוּ
against them which shall not regard
H2803
יַחְשֹׁ֔בוּ
against them which shall not regard
Strong's:
H2803
Word #:
9 of 13
properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e., (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a maliciou
וְזָהָ֖ב
and as for gold
H2091
וְזָהָ֖ב
and as for gold
Strong's:
H2091
Word #:
10 of 13
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
11 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Jeremiah 51:11Make bright the arrows; gather the shields: the LORD hath raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes: for his device is against Babylon, to destroy it; because it is the vengeance of the LORD, the vengeance of his temple.Isaiah 21:2A grievous vision is declared unto me; the treacherous dealer dealeth treacherously, and the spoiler spoileth. Go up, O Elam: besiege, O Media; all the sighing thereof have I made to cease.Isaiah 41:25I have raised up one from the north, and he shall come: from the rising of the sun shall he call upon my name: and he shall come upon princes as upon morter, and as the potter treadeth clay.Jeremiah 50:9For, lo, I will raise and cause to come up against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the north country: and they shall set themselves in array against her; from thence she shall be taken: their arrows shall be as of a mighty expert man; none shall return in vain.
Historical Context
Isaiah names the Medes over a century before they conquered Babylon (539 BC). The Medes came from the Iranian plateau; under Cyrus, they allied with Persians to form the Medo-Persian Empire. Cyrus's conquest of Babylon was remarkably merciful by ancient standards—no mass slaughter, no destruction of temples, immediate proclamation allowing peoples to return home (the decree that let Jews return, Ezra 1:1-4). His motivation wasn't gold (Babylon had plenty to offer) but empire-building according to his vision of divine mandate. God used a pagan king's ambition to fulfill His purposes.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's specific naming of the Medes over a century before events validate Scripture's prophetic authority?
- What does God's ability to motivate pagan rulers to fulfill His purposes teach about His sovereignty?
Analysis & Commentary
'Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, which shall not regard silver; and as for gold, they shall not delight in it.' God explicitly names the instrument of judgment: the Medes (later allied with Persians under Cyrus). Remarkably, these conquerors cannot be bribed—they don't regard silver or delight in gold. Their motivation isn't plunder but conquest and possibly divine destiny (Cyrus saw himself as Marduk's chosen servant, unknowingly fulfilling Yahweh's plan). When God's judgment comes, normal human motivations and deterrents (bribery, tribute) fail. Divine purposes override economic incentives.