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“Babylon Has Fallen!”Isaiah’s Prophecy—Light for All Mankind I
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a The Persian King Cyrus was at times designated “King of Anshan”—Anshan being a region or city in Elam. The Israelites of Isaiah’s day—the eighth century B.C.E.—may have been unfamiliar with Persia, whereas they would have known of Elam. This may explain why Isaiah here names Elam instead of Persia.
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“Babylon Has Fallen!”Isaiah’s Prophecy—Light for All Mankind I
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Isaiah continues: “Go up, O Elam! Lay siege, O Media! All sighing due to her I have caused to cease.” (Isaiah 21:2b) Those oppressed by this treacherous empire will have relief. At last, an end to their sighing! (Psalm 79:11, 12) By what means will this relief come? Isaiah names two nations that will attack Babylon: Elam and Media. Two centuries later, in 539 B.C.E., Cyrus the Persian will lead a combined force of Persians and Medes against Babylon. As for Elam, Persian monarchs will possess at least part of that land prior to 539 B.C.E.a The Persian forces will thus include Elamites.
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