Isaiah 13:9 Meaning and Explanation
“Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The day of the Lord arrives with divine wrath to desolate Babylon and destroy its people.
The Context of Isaiah 13:9
The nature of the judgment day: God's wrath targeted at guilty Babylon.
What Does Isaiah 13:9 Mean?
The day of the LORD is characterized as 'cruel both with wrath and fierce anger'—emotions are attributed to God's judgment. This day is not indifferent or mechanical but an active expression of God's response to human sin.
'To lay the land desolate' speaks to total ruination, and 'destroy the sinners thereof' indicates that those who perpetrate evil will face destruction. The judgment targets both the land (infrastructure) and the people (the guilty).
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 13:9
What does Isaiah 13:9 mean?
The day of the Lord arrives with divine wrath to desolate Babylon and destroy its people.
What is the context of Isaiah 13:9?
The nature of the judgment day: God's wrath targeted at guilty Babylon.