Isaiah 13:19
And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.
Original Language Analysis
וְהָיְתָ֤ה
H1961
וְהָיְתָ֤ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 13
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בָבֶל֙
And Babylon
H894
בָבֶל֙
And Babylon
Strong's:
H894
Word #:
2 of 13
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
מַמְלָכ֔וֹת
of kingdoms
H4467
מַמְלָכ֔וֹת
of kingdoms
Strong's:
H4467
Word #:
4 of 13
dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)
תִּפְאֶ֖רֶת
the beauty
H8597
תִּפְאֶ֖רֶת
the beauty
Strong's:
H8597
Word #:
5 of 13
ornament (abstractly or concretely, literally or figuratively)
כַּשְׂדִּ֑ים
of the Chaldees
H3778
כַּשְׂדִּ֑ים
of the Chaldees
Strong's:
H3778
Word #:
7 of 13
a kasdite, or descendant of kesed; by implication, a chaldaean (as if so descended); also an astrologer (as if proverbial of that people
אֱלֹהִ֔ים
shall be as when God
H430
אֱלֹהִ֔ים
shall be as when God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
9 of 13
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
Genesis 19:24Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;Daniel 4:30The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?Jeremiah 50:40As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbour cities thereof, saith the LORD; so shall no man abide there, neither shall any son of man dwell therein.Jeremiah 49:18As in the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbour cities thereof, saith the LORD, no man shall abide there, neither shall a son of man dwell in it.Jeremiah 51:41How is Sheshach taken! and how is the praise of the whole earth surprised! how is Babylon become an astonishment among the nations!Deuteronomy 29:23And that the whole land thereof is brimstone, and salt, and burning, that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORD overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath:Amos 4:11I have overthrown some of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and ye were as a firebrand plucked out of the burning: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.Zephaniah 2:9Therefore as I live, saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, even the breeding of nettles, and saltpits, and a perpetual desolation: the residue of my people shall spoil them, and the remnant of my people shall possess them.
Historical Context
Babylon's gradual decline after 539 BC led to complete abandonment. By medieval period, its location was uncertain. Modern archaeological ruins verify the prophesied desolation. What was once civilization's crown jewel became rubble. This fulfilled the Sodom comparison—permanent, complete destruction. The pattern repeats: human glory apart from God is temporary. Only God's kingdom and glory endure.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Babylon's fate warn against trusting in human achievement and glory?
- What does the Sodom comparison teach about permanence of divine judgment?
- How should we invest in eternal kingdom rather than temporary human kingdoms?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Babylon, 'the glory of kingdoms' and 'beauty of the Chaldees' excellency,' will become like Sodom and Gomorrah—utterly destroyed. The comparison to Sodom emphasizes complete, permanent desolation. Babylon's magnificence—hanging gardens, massive walls, architectural wonders—would be reduced to ruins. What humanity considers glorious and excellent, God can reduce to ash. This warns against trusting in human achievement and glory apart from God.