Isaiah 13:15

15 Whoever is found will be stabbed, and whoever is caught will die by the sword.

Isaiah 13:15 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 13:15

Every one that is found shall be thrust through
With a sword, spear, or lance, and be slain; that is, everyone that is found in the city of Babylon; and so the Targum adds,

``and everyone that is found in it shall be slain;''

so Kimchi, in the midst of it, or without; in the street, as Jarchi. The orders of Cyrus ^F8 were, that those that were found without (in the streets) should be slain; and to proclaim in the Syriac language, that those that were within doors should continue there, but, if they were found without, they should be put to death; which orders were executed, and well agrees with this prophecy: and everyone that is joined [unto them] shall fall by the sword;
or "added" unto them; any of other nations that joined them as auxiliaries, see ( Revelation 18:4 ) or "that is gathered"; so the Septuagint, "they that are gathered"; that are gathered together in a body to resist the enemy, and defend themselves. Some render the word, "every one that is consumed", with age; neither old nor young, as follows, should be spared. The Targum is,

``everyone that enters into the fortified cities,''

flees there for safety and protection.

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FOOTNOTES:

F8 Xenophon. Cyropaedia, l. 7. sect. 23.

Isaiah 13:15 In-Context

13 Therefore I will make the heavens tremble, and the earth will shake from its foundations at the wrath of the Lord of Hosts, on the day of His burning anger.

14 Like wandering gazelles and like sheep without a shepherd, each one will turn to his own people, each one will flee to his own land.

15 Whoever is found will be stabbed, and whoever is caught will die by the sword.

16 Their children will be smashed [to death] before their eyes; their houses will be looted, and their wives raped.

17 Look! I am stirring up the Medes against them, who cannot be bought off with silver and who have no desire for gold.