Isaiah 13:16

16 their babies dashed to pieces before their eyes, their houses looted, their wives raped.

Isaiah 13:16 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 13:16

Their children also shall be dashed to pieces before their
eyes
Upon the ground, or against the wall, as was foretold should be, ( Psalms 137:8 Psalms 137:9 ) and in way of retaliation for what they did to the Jews, ( 2 Chronicles 36:17 ) and this was to be done "before their eyes", in the sight of the inhabitants, which must make it the more distressing and afflicting; and, as Kimchi observes, this phrase is to be applied to the following clauses: their houses shall be spoiled;
plundered of the substance, wealth, and riches in them, by the Persian soldiers: and their wives ravished;
by the same, and both before their eyes, and after that slain, in like manner as they had ravished the women in Zion, ( Lamentations 5:11 ) .

Isaiah 13:16 In-Context

14 Then, like a hunted gazelle, like sheep with no one to gather them, everyone will head back to his own people; everyone will flee to his own land.

15 Anyone found will be pierced through; anyone caught will fall by the sword,

16 their babies dashed to pieces before their eyes, their houses looted, their wives raped.

17 I will stir up against them the Medes, who cannot be tempted by silver or bought off with gold.

18 Their bows will tear young men to pieces, they will have no pity on the fruit of the womb, their eye will not spare children."