Isaiah 13:14

14 And like a hunted gazelle, or like sheep with none to gather them, ¹each will turn to his own people, and each will flee to his own land.

Isaiah 13:14 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 13:14

And it shall be as the chased roe
That is, Babylon, and the inhabitants thereof, shall be like a roe when hunted by the dogs; which is a very fearful creature, and at the sight and noise of the dogs flies here and there for safety; just so should be the most courageous of the Babylonians, when their city should be taken. The Syriac version renders it, "they shall be"; and the Septuagint and Arabic versions, "they that are left shall be as the fleeing roe", such who fall not by the sword. Kimchi interprets it of people of other nations that should be in Babylon when taken, which agrees with the latter part of the verse: and as a sheep that no man taketh up;
the Septuagint and Arabic versions read, "as a straying sheep", that flees from the wolf; and there being none to fetch it back, and bring it to the flock, it wanders about and perishes: they shall every man turn to his own people, and flee everyone
into his own land;
this is to be understood of such foreigners, who were called in by the king of Babylon to his assistance, and the defence of the city; who perceiving it to be taken, or in danger, fled to their own countries, from whence they came, and so left the city naked and defenceless, see ( Jeremiah 50:16 ) ( 51:9 ) .

Isaiah 13:14 In-Context

12 I will make people more rare than fine gold, and mankind than the gold of Ophir.

13 Therefore I will make the heavens tremble, and the earth will be shaken out of its place, at the wrath of the LORD of hosts in the day of his fierce anger.

14 And like a hunted gazelle, or like sheep with none to gather them, each will turn to his own people, and each will flee to his own land.

15 Whoever is found will be thrust through, and whoever is caught will fall by the sword.

16 Their infants will be dashed in pieces before their eyes; their houses will be plundered and their wives ravished.

Cross References

• 1. Jeremiah 50:16; Jeremiah 51:9; [1 Kings 22:36]