Isaiah 13:2
Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice unto them, shake the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles.
Original Language Analysis
עַ֤ל
H5921
עַ֤ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
1 of 13
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַר
mountain
H2022
הַר
mountain
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
2 of 13
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
שְֽׂאוּ
Lift ye up
H5375
שְֽׂאוּ
Lift ye up
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
4 of 13
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
נֵ֔ס
a banner
H5251
נֵ֔ס
a banner
Strong's:
H5251
Word #:
5 of 13
a flag; also a sail; by implication, a flagstaff; generally a signal; figuratively, a token
הָרִ֥ימוּ
exalt
H7311
הָרִ֥ימוּ
exalt
Strong's:
H7311
Word #:
6 of 13
to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
הָנִ֣יפוּ
unto them shake
H5130
הָנִ֣יפוּ
unto them shake
Strong's:
H5130
Word #:
9 of 13
to quiver (i.e., vibrate up and down, or rock to and fro); used in a great variety of applications (including sprinkling, beckoning, rubbing, bastinad
יָ֔ד
the hand
H3027
יָ֔ד
the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
10 of 13
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
וְיָבֹ֖אוּ
that they may go
H935
וְיָבֹ֖אוּ
that they may go
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
11 of 13
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
Cross References
Isaiah 5:26And he will lift up an ensign to the nations from far, and will hiss unto them from the end of the earth: and, behold, they shall come with speed swiftly:Jeremiah 51:58Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The broad walls of Babylon shall be utterly broken, and her high gates shall be burned with fire; and the people shall labour in vain, and the folk in the fire, and they shall be weary.Jeremiah 50:2Declare ye among the nations, and publish, and set up a standard; publish, and conceal not: say, Babylon is taken, Bel is confounded, Merodach is broken in pieces; her idols are confounded, her images are broken in pieces.Jeremiah 51:25Behold, I am against thee, O destroying mountain, saith the LORD, which destroyest all the earth: and I will stretch out mine hand upon thee, and roll thee down from the rocks, and will make thee a burnt mountain.Isaiah 10:32As yet shall he remain at Nob that day: he shall shake his hand against the mount of the daughter of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem.Isaiah 18:3All ye inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earth, see ye, when he lifteth up an ensign on the mountains; and when he bloweth a trumpet, hear ye.Isaiah 11:12And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.Isaiah 11:15And the LORD shall utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with his mighty wind shall he shake his hand over the river, and shall smite it in the seven streams, and make men go over dryshod.
Historical Context
Fulfilled when Medo-Persian armies conquered Babylon (539 BC). Cyrus's forces entered through Euphrates riverbed, breaching gates, exactly as prophesied. These armies didn't worship Yahweh, yet executed His judgment on Babylon. Similarly, God used Babylon against Judah, Assyria against Israel—all demonstrating sovereign control. The pattern continues: God governs all nations and their conflicts to accomplish His purposes.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God use unbelieving armies and nations to accomplish His judicial purposes?
- What does divine orchestration of international conflicts teach about God's sovereignty?
- How should we view current geopolitical events through lens of God's sovereign control?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God commands raising a banner on a high mountain, summoning armies for judgment. The 'exalted voice' and beckoning hand mobilize forces to enter 'gates of the nobles'—Babylon's palaces. This depicts God sovereignly orchestrating military campaigns. He commands armies (though they don't know Him) to execute His purposes. The imagery shows God's absolute control over international politics and warfare. Even pagan armies unwittingly serve His judicial purposes.