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

ISAIAH 13:19KJV
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Isaiah 13:19 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 13:19 mean?

Isaiah 13:19 says that Babylon, once famous and admired as the most splendid of kingdoms, will be destroyed as completely as Sodom and Gomorrah were by God. The verse uses the memory of those ancient cities’ total ruin to show how complete Babylon’s downfall will be.

The prophet Isaiah is speaking to the people of Judah, warning them about the coming judgment on Babylon. At the time, Babylon was a powerful and impressive city, known for its wealth and beauty. By comparing Babylon’s future to Sodom and Gomorrah, Isaiah emphasizes that even the greatest human achievements can be wiped away by God’s judgment.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 13:19

  • בָּבֶל (Bavel; Babylon): This word refers to the city and empire of Babylon, which was a symbol of power and pride in the ancient world. Mentioning Babylon by name makes the prophecy specific and concrete.
  • צְבִי (tzevi; glory): This word means "glory" or "splendor," highlighting how Babylon was seen as the height of greatness among kingdoms.
  • תִּפְאֶרֶת (tiferet; beauty): This word means "beauty" or "ornament," underlining Babylon’s reputation for magnificence.
  • גָּאוֹן (ga'on; excellency): This word means "pride" or "majesty," pointing to the pride of the Chaldeans, the people of Babylon. The verse stresses that even their highest achievements will not save them from destruction.
  • כַּאֲפֵכָה (ka’afeikhah; overthrew): This word means "overthrew" or "turned upside down," describing the sudden and total destruction God brought on Sodom and Gomorrah, and now promises for Babylon.

Why Isaiah 13:19 matters

  • Isaiah 13:19 corrects any idea that human greatness or beauty can protect a nation from judgment; even Babylon’s glory is no shield.
  • The verse connects Babylon’s fate to the well-known story of Sodom and Gomorrah, making clear that the destruction will be absolute and unmistakable.
  • This prophecy sets the stage for the rest of the chapter, which details the reasons for Babylon’s downfall and shows that God’s justice reaches even the mightiest empires.

Where else these words appear

“overthrew” Hebrew H4114 · used in 6 verses

  • Deuteronomy 29:23 And that the whole land thereof is brimstone, and salt, and burning, that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORD overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath:
  • Isaiah 1:7 Your country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire: your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.
  • Jeremiah 50:40 As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbour cities thereof, saith the LORD; so shall no man abide there, neither shall any son of man dwell therein.

“Gomorrah” Hebrew H6017 · used in 19 verses

  • Genesis 10:19 And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha.
  • Genesis 18:20 And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;
  • Isaiah 1:10 Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.

“glory” Hebrew H6643 · used in 32 verses

  • Deuteronomy 12:15 Notwithstanding thou mayest kill and eat flesh in all thy gates, whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee: the unclean and the clean may eat thereof, as of the roebuck, and as of the hart.
  • Song of Solomon 2:9 My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold, he standeth behind our wall, he looketh forth at the windows, shewing himself through the lattice.
  • Isaiah 28:5 In that day shall the LORD of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people,

“Sodom” Hebrew H5467 · used in 38 verses

  • Genesis 10:19 And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha.
  • Genesis 18:16 And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way.
  • Isaiah 3:9 The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves.