Isaiah 13:4

4 Listen, a tumult on the mountains, like that of a mighty people! Listen, an uproar among the kingdoms, like nations being gathered together! The Lord of Hosts is mobilizing an army for war.

Isaiah 13:4 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 13:4

The noise of a multitude in the mountains, like as of a
great people
That is, like the noise of a very numerous people; this noise was heard either on the mountains of Media, where they flocked in vast numbers to the standard set; or on the mountains upon the borders of Chaldea, when the army under Cyrus was marching towards Babylon: a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together;
for Cyrus's army consisted of several kingdoms and nations; for besides the thirty thousand Persians he brought with him into Media, where he was made general of the Medes also, and was sent with the joint forces of both nations against Babylon, the kingdoms of Ararat, Minni, and Ashchenaz, were prepared, gathered together, and called forth against it, ( Jeremiah 51:27 Jeremiah 51:28 ) : the Lord of hosts mustereth the host of the battle;
or the warlike army: it was the Lord, that has the armies of heaven and earth at his command, who in his providence caused such a numerous army to be formed, directed them where to march, and put them in battle array, and gave them the victory.

Isaiah 13:4 In-Context

2 Lift up a banner on a barren mountain. Call out to them. Wave your hand, and they will go through the gates of the nobles.

3 I have commanded My chosen ones; I have also called My warriors, who exult in My triumph, to execute My wrath.

4 Listen, a tumult on the mountains, like that of a mighty people! Listen, an uproar among the kingdoms, like nations being gathered together! The Lord of Hosts is mobilizing an army for war.

5 They are coming from a far land, from the distant horizon- the Lord and the weapons of His wrath- to destroy the whole country.

6 Wail! For the day of the Lord is near. It will come like destruction from the Almighty.