Therefore I will make the heavens tremble, and the earth will be shaken out of its place, at the wrath of the LORD of hosts in the day of his fierce anger.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This isn't just a poetic way to describe destruction; it's a direct statement that the very foundations of creation will tremble. The earth "removed out of her place" isn't hyperbole but points to a cosmic upheaval demonstrating that God's anger is not merely an emotion, but a force that can shake reality itself.
Therefore I will make the heavens tremble, and the earth will be shaken out of its place, at the wrath of the LORD of hosts in the day of his fierce anger.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage is part of a prophecy against Babylon, which is described as a powerful empire facing divine judgment. The verses leading up to this speak of God gathering armies for destruction and the impending terror that will fall upon the people. Following this, the text details the utter desolation and ruin that will befall the land, emphasizing its permanent abandonment.
When God's anger is unleashed, it's not just people who feel it – the very fabric of creation trembles. What does it mean for the cosmos to shake?
Isaiah uses powerful imagery of the heavens trembling and the earth being shaken out of its place to describe the overwhelming impact of God's wrath. This isn't just poetic language; it's meant to convey that God's judgment is so profound that it affects the fundamental order of the universe.
A Universe in Turmoil
The phrase 'day of his fierce anger' isn't just a description of a bad day. It points to a specific, significant time when God's righteous judgment is fully revealed.
This verse locates the cosmic upheaval within a specific context: 'the day of his fierce anger.' This phrase is crucial for understanding the weight and purpose behind God's actions.
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More Than Just Wrath
Understand the original words
tseba'ot · Hebrew Noun
A title for the God of Israel emphasizing His sovereignty over all spiritual and physical powers in the universe, often highlighting His martial power in judgment.
ebrah · Hebrew Noun
The holy, settled displeasure of God against sin, which is not an uncontrolled outburst but a judicial and righteous response to rebellion.
Isaiah 13:13, while a powerful poetic description of divine judgment, specifically addresses the imminent fall of Babylon to the Medes and Persians. This event, prophesied long in advance, was seen as a precursor to, and a type of, the ultimate 'Day of the Lord' – God's final judgment on all earthly powers that oppose Him.
c. 740 BC
Isaiah's Ministry Begins
Isaiah, the son of Amoz, begins his prophetic ministry during a period of political instability in Judah and the rise of the Neo-Assyrian Empire.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The northern kingdom of Israel (Samaria) is conquered by the Assyrians, leading to the exile of its people and a stark warning to Judah.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian Invasion of Judah
King Sennacherib of Assyria invades Judah, conquering many cities and besieging Jerusalem. This event deeply impacted Isaiah and his audience.
c. 612 BC
Fall of Nineveh
The Assyrian capital, Nineveh, falls to the Babylonians and Medes, marking a significant shift in regional power dynamics.
c. 586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Babylonians conquer Jerusalem, destroy the Temple, and exile many Judeans, a devastating event that profoundly shaped Jewish identity and theology.
c. 539 BC— this verse
Fall of Babylon to Persia
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers Babylon, ending the Babylonian Empire and eventually allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem.
This passage directly parallels Isaiah's imagery, stating 'Once more I will shake the heavens and the earth,' linking cosmic upheaval to divine action.
Hebrews 12:26The New Testament writer quotes both Isaiah and Haggai, applying this shaking of heaven and earth to God's present and future judgments, especially the establishment of His kingdom.
Revelation 6:12-14This passage describes a similar cosmic disturbance – the sun becoming black, the moon like blood, and stars falling – as a direct result of God's wrath during the end times, mirroring Isaiah's dramatic imagery.
1 Samuel 22:8This earlier text describes the earth shaking and trembling because of God's wrath, showing that the idea of the natural order reacting to divine anger was a long-standing biblical concept.
barnesIsaiah 13:13: "Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger."
Therefore I will shake the heavens - A strong, but common figure of speech in the Scriptures, to denote great commotions, judgments, and revolutions. The figure is taken from the image of a furious storm and tempest, when the sky, the clouds, the heavens, appear to be in commotion; compare 1 Samuel 22:8 : Then the earth shook and…
wesleyIsaiah 13:13: "Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger."
13:13 Therefore - A poetical and prophetical description of great horrors and confusions, as if heaven and earth were about to meet together.
This isn't just a poetic way to describe destruction; it's a direct statement that the very foundations of creation will tremble. The earth "removed out of her place" isn't hyperbole but points to a cosmic upheaval demonstrating that God's anger is not merely an emotion, but a force that can shake reality itself.
This passage is part of a prophecy against Babylon, which is described as a powerful empire facing divine judgment. The verses leading up to this speak of God gathering armies for destruction and the impending terror that will fall upon the people. Following this, the text details the utter desolation and ruin that will befall the land, emphasizing its permanent abandonment.
This passage is part of a prophecy against Babylon, which is described as a powerful empire facing divine judgment. The verses leading up to this speak of God gathering armies for destruction and the impending terror that will fall upon the people. Following this, the text details the utter desolation and ruin that will befall the land, emphasizing its permanent abandonment.
"Therefore I will make the heavens tremble, and the earth will be shaken out of its place, at the wrath of the LORD of hosts in the day of his fierce anger." — This isn't just a poetic way to describe destruction; it's a direct statement that the very foundations of creation will tremble. The earth "removed out of her place" isn't hyperbole but points to a…
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Last reviewed October 2026