Isaiah 13:14

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.

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 scarcer than gold— more rare than the fine gold of Ophir.

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.