Commentaries:
Barnes' Notes
Howl ye - Ye inhabitants of Babylon, in view of the approaching destruction.
The day of the Lord - The time when Yahweh will inflict vengeance on you draws near (see the note at Isaiah 2:12; compare Isaiah 13:9).
As a destruction from the Almighty - Not as a desolation from man, but as destruction sent from him who has all power in heaven and on earth. Destruction meditated by man might be resisted; but destruction that should come from the Almighty must be final and irresistible. The word ' Almighty' ׁ shadday , one of the names given to God in the Scriptures, denotes, properly, "one who is mighty," or who has all power; and is correctly rendered Almighty, or Omnipotent; Genesis 17:1; Genesis 28:3; Genesis 48:3; Exodus 6:3; Ruth 1:20; Job 5:17; Job 6:4, Job 6:14; Job 8:3, Job 8:5; Job 11:7; Job 13:4; Job 15:25. In the Hebrew here, there is a paronomasia or "pun" - a figure of speech quite common in the Scriptures, which cannot be retained in the translation - ' It shall come as a destruction ( ׁ ke shod ) from the Almighty ( ׁ mı̂shadday ).'
Other Barnes' Notes entries containing Isaiah 13:6:
Genesis 17:1-27
Psalms 38:11
Isaiah 2:12
Isaiah 13:9
Joel 1:15
James 5:1
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