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Isaiah 13:1-3
New American Bible (Revised Edition)

C. Oracles Against the Foreign Nations[a]

Chapter 13

Babylon.[b] 1 An oracle[c] concerning Babylon; a vision of Isaiah, son of Amoz.

2 Upon the bare mountains set up a signal;
    cry out to them,[d]
Beckon for them to enter
    the gates of the nobles.(A)
3 I have commanded my consecrated ones,[e]
    I have summoned my warriors,
    eager and bold to carry out my anger.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. 13:1–23:18 These chapters, which probably existed at one time as an independent collection, consist primarily of oracles from various sources against foreign nations. While some of the material is Isaianic, in many cases it has been reworked by later editors or writers.
  2. 13:1–22 Although attributed to Isaiah (v. 1), this oracle does not reflect conditions of Isaiah’s time. Babylon did not achieve imperial status until a century later, after its victory over Assyria in 609 B.C. The mention of the Medes (v. 17) rather than Persia suggests a date prior to 550 B.C., when the Median empire of Astyages fell to Cyrus the Persian. Tension is created in that the attackers are not named until v. 17 and the foe to be attacked until v. 19.
  3. 13:1 Oracle: Heb. massa’; used eight more times in this collection.
  4. 13:2 To them: the Medes (v. 17), who are being summoned to destroy Babylon. Gates of the nobles: the reference is apparently to the gates of Babylon and involves a wordplay on the city name (Babylon = bab ilani, “gate of the gods”).
  5. 13:3 Consecrated ones: in the sense that they will wage a “holy war” and carry out God’s plan.
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New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)

Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.