A 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.
'A 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 receives a 'grievous' (harsh/hard) vision—prophets often distressed by revelations of judgment. 'The treacherous dealer dealeth treacherously'—Babylon's characteristic duplicity now turned against itself. God commands Elam (Persia) and Media to attack—these were the Medo-Persian Empire components that conquered Babylon. 'All the sighing thereof have I made to cease' likely refers to ending the groaning of nations Babylon oppressed. God's judgment on Babylon brings relief to victims. This demonstrates divine justice: oppressors eventually face oppression; treacherous dealers experience treachery. God orchestrates history to punish evil and vindicate victims.
Historical Context
The Medo-Persian alliance under Cyrus conquered Babylon in 539 BCE. Cyrus's own records (Cyrus Cylinder) present the conquest as liberation, claiming Babylon's gods supported him due to Nabonidus's impiety. The prophecy's specific naming of Elam and Media as agents demonstrates precision impossible without divine revelation—these nations weren't obvious conquerors 150 years prior. The 'sighing' that ceased included exiled Jews, whom Cyrus released (Ezra 1), and other oppressed peoples. Babylon's fall was celebrated by its victims as divine justice. This pattern repeats throughout history: oppressive empires eventually fall, often to forces they despised. God's justice operates certainly, if not always immediately.
Questions for Reflection
What does treacherous Babylon experiencing treachery teach about divine justice's poetic nature?
How did Babylon's fall bring relief to oppressed nations?
Why does God specifically name Elam and Media as conquest agents?
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Analysis & Commentary
'A 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 receives a 'grievous' (harsh/hard) vision—prophets often distressed by revelations of judgment. 'The treacherous dealer dealeth treacherously'—Babylon's characteristic duplicity now turned against itself. God commands Elam (Persia) and Media to attack—these were the Medo-Persian Empire components that conquered Babylon. 'All the sighing thereof have I made to cease' likely refers to ending the groaning of nations Babylon oppressed. God's judgment on Babylon brings relief to victims. This demonstrates divine justice: oppressors eventually face oppression; treacherous dealers experience treachery. God orchestrates history to punish evil and vindicate victims.