Elam was a nation to the south of Media. Elam later became part of Persia, but in Isaiah's day, Jews would better understand the reference to Elam. For other biblical references to Elam, see Genesis 10:22; Genesis 14:1; Genesis 14:9; Isaiah 11:11; Isaiah 22:6.
2 A stern vision is told to me; the traitor betrays, and the destroyer destroys. Go up, O Elam; lay siege, O Media; all the sighing she has caused I bring to an end.