Isaiah 13:1

The ancient city of Babylon (see Genesis 10:10) was on the river called Euphrates (in modern Iraq). From the beginning the rulers of Babylon had proud ambitions that led to very serious results for many other people (see Genesis 11:1-9). Even in Isaiah’s day, Babylon was causing constant troubles to Assyria, which was the ruling power. God’s message helped Isaiah to realise that Babylon would soon be Judah’s real enemy (see Chapter 39).