13:1–23:18 Review · Oracles against the Nations: These messages are called “oracles.” The word “oracle” (literally “burden”) is a technical term and occurs in the heading of Isaiah’s speech against each nation (13:1—Babylon; 17:1—Damascus; 19:1—Egypt; 23:1—Tyre; cf. also 21:1, 11, 13; 22:1; 30:6). Similar collections are found in Jeremiah 46–51 and Ezekiel 25–32. This collection of oracles forms the second major division of Isaiah and prepares the reader for the “Apocalypse of Isaiah” (chaps. 24–27).

13:1–14:23 · Isaiah views the Lord’s judgment on Babylon as an expression of his rule over the earth (13:1–16). He commands the armed forces of the nations. The “holy ones” are the warriors mustered and consecrated for battle (13:3 NIV 1984). The Lord sovereignly rules over the nations, who …