Isaiah 13:15

15 Anyone who is captured will be cut down— run through with a 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 For I will shake the heavens. The earth will move from its place when the LORD of Heaven’s Armies displays his wrath in the day of his fierce anger.”

14 Everyone in Babylon will run about like a hunted gazelle, like sheep without a shepherd. They will try to find their own people and flee to their own land.

15 Anyone who is captured will be cut down— run through with a sword.

16 Their little children will be dashed to death before their eyes. Their homes will be sacked, and their wives will be raped.

17 “Look, I will stir up the Medes against Babylon. They cannot be tempted by silver or bribed with gold.