A terrifying revelation has been given to me: The betrayer betrays; the destroyer destroys. Arise, you Elamites! Lay siege, you Medes! I will put an end to all the grief she brought to the nations.
“I stirred up one from the north, who comes from the rising of the sun. He will call on my name. He will trample rulers into the mud as a potter treads clay.
Armed with bows and scimitars, they are merciless and without compassion. The sound of their armies riding their horses is like the roaring sea. The cavalry is in battle formation and ready to attack you, Fair Babylon.
For listen, I am stirring up trouble out of the north against Babylon, and raising up a coalition of mighty nations to attack her. They will take up battle positions against her and conquer her. Their arrows are like a skilled soldier who kills and never returns empty-handed.
Yahweh has stirred up a spirit of hostility in the king of the Medes because Yahweh’s plan is to destroy Babylon. This is Yahweh’s revenge for destroying his temple. “Sharpen the arrows; fill up your quivers!