King James Version

What Does Isaiah 13:11 Mean?

Isaiah 13:11 in the King James Version says “And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the pro...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.”

Isaiah 13:11 · KJV

Context

9

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.

10

For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.

11

And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.

12

I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.

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.

Read Isaiah 13 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God declares He will 'punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity.' The judgment extends beyond Babylon to universal scope—'the world.' Specific targets: pride of the arrogant, haughtiness of the terrible (violent oppressors). This demonstrates that while historical judgments target specific nations (Babylon), they represent principles of universal judgment. God opposes pride and wickedness everywhere. No nation, however powerful, escapes accountability for evil.

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Historical & Cultural Context

While immediately applicable to Babylon, this verse establishes God's pattern of judging all wicked nations. Throughout history, God has humbled proud empires—Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome, and modern powers. The principle persists: God opposes the proud, judges wickedness universally. Final fulfillment comes at Christ's return when all evil is permanently judged. Babylon's judgment was microcosm of God's comprehensive opposition to evil.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do judgments on specific nations reveal universal principles of divine justice?
  2. What does God's consistent opposition to pride teach about His character?
  3. How should we as individuals and nations avoid the pride that provokes divine judgment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וּפָקַדְתִּ֤י1 of 13

“And I will punish”

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

עַל2 of 13
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

תֵּבֵל֙3 of 13

“the world”

H8398

the earth (as moist and therefore inhabited); by extension, the globe; by implication, its inhabitants; specifically, a particular land, as babylonia,

רָעָ֔ה4 of 13

“for their evil”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

וְעַל5 of 13
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

רְשָׁעִ֖ים6 of 13

“and the wicked”

H7563

morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person

עֲוֹנָ֑ם7 of 13

“for their iniquity”

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

וְהִשְׁבַּתִּי֙8 of 13

“to cease”

H7673

to repose, i.e., desist from exertion; used in many implied relations (causative, figurative or specific)

גְּא֣וֹן9 of 13

“and I will cause the arrogancy”

H1347

the same as h1346

זֵדִ֔ים10 of 13

“of the proud”

H2086

arrogant

וְגַאֲוַ֥ת11 of 13

“the haughtiness”

H1346

arrogance or majesty; by implication, (concretely) ornament

עָרִיצִ֖ים12 of 13

“of the terrible”

H6184

fearful, i.e., powerful or tyrannical

אַשְׁפִּֽיל׃13 of 13

“and will lay low”

H8213

to depress or sink (especially figuratively, to humiliate, intransitive or transitive)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 13:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 13:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 2:11Isaiah 5:15Jeremiah 50:29-32Daniel 5:22-23Isaiah 2:17Isaiah 24:4-6

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