Isaiah 13:15

15 Whoever is found will be stabbed; whoever is caught will fall 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 I will rattle the heavens; the earth will shake loose from its place—because of the rage of the LORD of heavenly forces on the day his anger burns.

14 They will be like hunted gazelles, like sheep without a shepherd; all will turn to their own people and flee to their own lands.

15 Whoever is found will be stabbed; whoever is caught will fall by the sword.

16 Their infants will be crushed before their eyes; their houses plundered, their women raped.

17 Look! I'm rousing the Medes against them; the Medes pay no mind to silver, no desire for gold.