Isaiah 13:16

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

18 [Their] bows will cut young men to pieces. They will have no compassion on little ones; they will not look with pity on children.