The oracle concerning Babylon which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The term "burden" doesn't just mean a heavy prophecy; it implies a divine sentence or oracle meant to be deeply considered and remembered. Isaiah didn't just see this, but it was a vision entrusted to him, underscoring the weighty significance of God's judgment against Babylon.
The oracle concerning Babylon which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse introduces a new section of Isaiah's prophecy, shifting its focus to the pronouncements of doom against various foreign nations, with Babylon taking center stage. Unlike previous prophecies that might have directly addressed Israel or Judah, this oracle begins by identifying its subject and the prophet through whose eyes God's message is delivered. The "burden" signifies a heavy, weighty message of judgment that will fall upon the mighty city of Babylon, detailing its future desolation.
The very first word of this prophecy, 'burden,' sounds heavy, doesn't it? What does this loaded term really mean in Scripture?
The Hebrew word for 'burden' here, 'mas'a,' carries a significant weight of meaning. It comes from a root word meaning 'to lift up' or 'to bear.'
More Than Just a Load
This isn't just a casual prediction; it's a divine decree being 'lifted up' for all to hear.
Isaiah 'saw' this oracle. What does it mean for a prophet to 'see' a message, and how did Babylon enter his vision?
The phrase 'which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see' emphasizes that this prophecy came through a divine vision, not mere human speculation.
A Glimpse into the Future
Ask a follow-up
Understand the original words
massa' · Hebrew Noun
A formal announcement or prophecy delivered by God through a prophet, often carrying a heavy burden of judgment or solemn declaration. It carries the weight of divine authority.
This prophecy against Babylon was delivered by Isaiah at a time when Assyria was the dominant world power, but Babylon was a known, albeit often subordinate, entity. The prophecy anticipates a future, distinct Babylonian empire and its eventual destruction by the Medes, a people not yet prominent on the world stage, highlighting the long-term, divinely orchestrated perspective of Isaiah's prophetic vision.
c. 745-727 BC
Reign of Tiglath-Pileser III
Assyrian king who restored his empire and established a policy of expansion and deportation. Judah, under King Ahaz, became a vassal state, opening the door for contact and awareness of Mesopotamian powers like Babylon.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The northern Kingdom of Israel was conquered by the Neo-Assyrian Empire, leading to the exile of many Israelites. This event heightened the sense of vulnerability in Judah and the awareness of powerful foreign empires.
c. 705-681 BC
Reign of Sennacherib
Assyrian king who campaigned against Judah, but failed to capture Jerusalem. During this period, Hezekiah sought alliances, and Merodach-Baladan, a Chaldean leader from Babylon, tried to gain Hezekiah's support against Assyria.
c. 689 BC
Sennacherib Destroys Babylon
The Assyrian king Sennacherib brutally destroyed Babylon after it revolted. This event, though brutal, highlights Babylon's persistent resistance to Assyrian dominance and its own internal struggles.
626-605 BC
Rise of the Neo-Babylonian Empire
Babylon, under Nabopolassar, successfully broke free from Assyrian rule and established a powerful empire that would soon rival Assyria's former glory.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar II conquered Jerusalem and deported a portion of the Jewish elite, including Daniel, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
c. 550-539 BC— this verse
Rise of the Medo-Persian Empire
Cyrus the Great united the Medes and Persians, forming a new superpower that would eventually conquer Babylon. The prophecy in Isaiah 13 directly foretells the Medes' role in Babylon's downfall.
This passage directly echoes Isaiah 13, presenting a similar 'oracle' or 'burden' concerning Babylon, highlighting the consistent prophetic condemnation of the city.
Daniel 5:1This chapter vividly portrays the downfall of Babylon during Belshazzar's feast, illustrating the judgment that was prophesied in Isaiah 13, bringing the prophetic word to its historical fulfillment.
Revelation 17:1The imagery of a great city, identified as 'Babylon the Great,' drunk with blood and judgment, connects directly to the prophetic denunciation found in Isaiah 13, showing Babylon as a persistent symbol of opposition to God.
Zechariah 1:1This verse also uses the term 'burden' to introduce a prophetic oracle, indicating a common prophetic literary device used to announce significant divine judgments against nations.
barnesIsaiah 13:1: "The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see."
The burden of Babylon - Or, the burden "respecting," or "concerning" Babylon. This prophecy is introduced in a different manner from those which have preceded. The terms which Isaiah employed in the commencement of his previous prophecies, were vision (see the note at Isaiah 1:1 ), or word Isaiah 2:1 . There has been considerable diversity of opinion in regard to the meaning of the word 'burden,' which is here employed.…
wesleyIsaiah 13:1: "The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see."
13:1 The burden - This title is commonly given to sad prophecies, which indeed are grievous burdens to them on whom they are laid. Babylon - Of the city and empire of Babylon by Cyrus.
The term "burden" doesn't just mean a heavy prophecy; it implies a divine sentence or oracle meant to be deeply considered and remembered. Isaiah didn't just see this, but it was a vision entrusted to him, underscoring the weighty significance of God's judgment against Babylon.
This verse introduces a new section of Isaiah's prophecy, shifting its focus to the pronouncements of doom against various foreign nations, with Babylon taking center stage. Unlike previous prophecies that might have directly addressed Israel or Judah, this oracle begins by identifying its subject and the prophet through whose eyes God's message is delivered. The "burden" signifies a heavy, weighty message of judgment that will fall upon the mighty city of Babylon, detailing its future desolation.
This verse introduces a new section of Isaiah's prophecy, shifting its focus to the pronouncements of doom against various foreign nations, with Babylon taking center stage. Unlike previous prophecies that might have directly addressed Israel or Judah, this oracle begins by identifying its subject and the prophet through whose eyes God's message is delivered. The "burden" signifies a heavy, weighty message of judgment that will fall upon the mighty city of Babylon, detailing its future desolation.
"The oracle concerning Babylon which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw." — The term "burden" doesn't just mean a heavy prophecy; it implies a divine sentence or oracle meant to be deeply considered and remembered. Isaiah didn't just see this, but it was a vision entrusted…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026