Isaiah 13:14

14 And it will be that, like a roe in flight, and like wandering sheep, they will go every man to his people and to his land.

Isaiah 13:14 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 13:14

And it shall be as the chased roe
That is, Babylon, and the inhabitants thereof, shall be like a roe when hunted by the dogs; which is a very fearful creature, and at the sight and noise of the dogs flies here and there for safety; just so should be the most courageous of the Babylonians, when their city should be taken. The Syriac version renders it, "they shall be"; and the Septuagint and Arabic versions, "they that are left shall be as the fleeing roe", such who fall not by the sword. Kimchi interprets it of people of other nations that should be in Babylon when taken, which agrees with the latter part of the verse: and as a sheep that no man taketh up;
the Septuagint and Arabic versions read, "as a straying sheep", that flees from the wolf; and there being none to fetch it back, and bring it to the flock, it wanders about and perishes: they shall every man turn to his own people, and flee everyone
into his own land;
this is to be understood of such foreigners, who were called in by the king of Babylon to his assistance, and the defence of the city; who perceiving it to be taken, or in danger, fled to their own countries, from whence they came, and so left the city naked and defenceless, see ( Jeremiah 50:16 ) ( 51:9 ) .

Isaiah 13:14 In-Context

12 I will make men so small in number, that a man will be harder to get than gold, even the best gold of Ophir.

13 For this cause the heavens will be shaking, and the earth will be moved out of its place, in the wrath of the Lord of armies, and in the day of his burning passion.

14 And it will be that, like a roe in flight, and like wandering sheep, they will go every man to his people and to his land.

15 Everyone who is overtaken will have a spear put through him, and everyone who goes in flight will be put to the sword.

16 Their young children will be broken up before their eyes; their goods will be taken away, and their wives made the property of others.