King James Version

What Does Isaiah 13:19 Mean?

Isaiah 13:19 in the King James Version says “And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gom...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. as: Heb. as the overthrowing”

Isaiah 13:19 · KJV

Context

17

Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, which shall not regard silver; and as for gold, they shall not delight in it.

18

Their bows also shall dash the young men to pieces; and they shall have no pity on the fruit of the womb; their eye shall not spare children.

19

And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. as: Heb. as the overthrowing

20

It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there.

21

But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and owls shall dwell there, and satyrs shall dance there. wild: Heb. Ziim doleful: Heb. Ochim owls: or, ostriches: Heb. daughters of the owl

Read Isaiah 13 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Babylon, 'the glory of kingdoms' and 'beauty of the Chaldees' excellency,' will become like Sodom and Gomorrah—utterly destroyed. The comparison to Sodom emphasizes complete, permanent desolation. Babylon's magnificence—hanging gardens, massive walls, architectural wonders—would be reduced to ruins. What humanity considers glorious and excellent, God can reduce to ash. This warns against trusting in human achievement and glory apart from God.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Babylon's gradual decline after 539 BC led to complete abandonment. By medieval period, its location was uncertain. Modern archaeological ruins verify the prophesied desolation. What was once civilization's crown jewel became rubble. This fulfilled the Sodom comparison—permanent, complete destruction. The pattern repeats: human glory apart from God is temporary. Only God's kingdom and glory endure.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Babylon's fate warn against trusting in human achievement and glory?
  2. What does the Sodom comparison teach about permanence of divine judgment?
  3. How should we invest in eternal kingdom rather than temporary human kingdoms?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וְהָיְתָ֤ה1 of 13
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בָבֶל֙2 of 13

“And Babylon”

H894

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

צְבִ֣י3 of 13

“the glory”

H6643

a gazelle (as beautiful)

מַמְלָכ֔וֹת4 of 13

“of kingdoms”

H4467

dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)

תִּפְאֶ֖רֶת5 of 13

“the beauty”

H8597

ornament (abstractly or concretely, literally or figuratively)

גְּא֣וֹן6 of 13

“excellency”

H1347

the same as h1346

כַּשְׂדִּ֑ים7 of 13

“of the Chaldees”

H3778

a kasdite, or descendant of kesed; by implication, a chaldaean (as if so descended); also an astrologer (as if proverbial of that people

כְּמַהְפֵּכַ֣ת8 of 13

“overthrew”

H4114

a destruction

אֱלֹהִ֔ים9 of 13

“shall be as when God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אֶת10 of 13
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

סְדֹ֖ם11 of 13

“Sodom”

H5467

sedom, a place near the dead sea

וְאֶת12 of 13
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

עֲמֹרָֽה׃13 of 13

“and Gomorrah”

H6017

amorah, a place in palestine

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 13:19 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 13:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Daniel 4:30Jeremiah 50:40Jeremiah 51:41Zephaniah 2:9Amos 4:11Deuteronomy 29:23

Places in This Verse

Babylon 1Settlement · Modern: Babylon · 32.54°N, 44.42°E296 verses across 15 books
ChaldeaRegion · Modern: Tell el Muqayyar · 30.96°N, 46.10°E85 verses across 11 books
GomorrahSettlement · Modern: south of the Lisan · 31.21°N, 35.45°E24 verses across 11 books
SodomSettlement · Modern: south of the Lisan · 31.21°N, 35.45°E50 verses across 15 books
View all places in Isaiah 13 →

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