Even though the modern Book of Mormon follows the tradition of creating a chapter break here, it is important to remember that there is no break in the 1830 version, and that these verses are part of a consistent unit in Isaiah. Thus the information in chapter 13 is the logical continuation of the material in chapter 12. This chapter will continue the description of the apocalyptic destruction of Jerusalem.
The KJV language of “stay” and “staff” refer to means of support. “Stay” is the sustenance, and “staff” is the support. In the case of “staff” this type of support may be more related to the social structure as a support for the society. Note that in the next verse very specific social supports will be declared as removed from Jerusalem.
“In ancient Hebrew, the words.. ”stay“ and ”staff" …are the masculine and feminine forms of the same root, masen and masenah. By using both forms, Isaiah seems to suggest complete destruction - spiritual, social, and physical. Thus the prophet’s language and imagery carry many implications beyond the threat of physical famine.
The threat of physical famine is most obvious. Removing the staff or support from a nation is analogous to suddenly taking away the props or stakes of a tent - the then collapses shapeless on the ground. “The whole supply of bread and the whole supply of water” might be taken literally, since at both the first and second desolations of Jerusalem, the city was besieged and was at the mercy of a devastating famine. Jeremiah records in the seventh century B.C. that “the famine was sore in the city, so that there was no bread for the people of the land.” (Jer. 52:6). (Ludlow, Victor. Isaiah: Prophet, Seer, and Poet. p. 101.).