Isa 13:14 | KingComments | STEP | In the prophecy returns to the destruction of Babylon. This is evident from the rest of the chapter. All foreigners who were first attracted by the riches of Babylon and sought their advantage on this world market will flee the city to return to their own people and land. Skittish as “a hunted gazelle” and scattered “like sheep” without a shepherd, they will want to escape the advancing armies of the Medes and Persians. Also the restored Roman Empire (Europe) will consist of people from many countries. Later, when judgment comes on them, these people will flee and return to their own people and their own land. Those who do not flee or are caught on the run fall into the hands of an enemy who spares nothing and no one ( ). What they encounter on their way is thrust through without pardon or cut down by the sword ( ). There is a total lack of respect for what belongs to others in life, possession, and marriage ( ). They do not have the feelings that belong to these matters. Ruthlessly they dash to pieces little children before the eyes of their parents, and ravish women, insensitive to begging them not to do so. They don’t let themselves be bribed, insensitive as they are to silver and gold, which means nothing to them ( ). Their goal is to destroy their enemies with ruthless cruelty and to make sure that no new growth can come. Therefore, they dash to pieces boys, kill children already in the womb, and spare no child already born ( ).

‏ Isaiah 13:14

The LORD Punishes Evil

In Isa 13:14 the prophecy returns to the destruction of Babylon. This is evident from the rest of the chapter. All foreigners who were first attracted by the riches of Babylon and sought their advantage on this world market will flee the city to return to their own people and land. Skittish as “a hunted gazelle” and scattered “like sheep” without a shepherd, they will want to escape the advancing armies of the Medes and Persians. Also the restored Roman Empire (Europe) will consist of people from many countries. Later, when judgment comes on them, these people will flee and return to their own people and their own land.

Those who do not flee or are caught on the run fall into the hands of an enemy who spares nothing and no one (Isa 13:15-18). What they encounter on their way is thrust through without pardon or cut down by the sword (Isa 13:15). There is a total lack of respect for what belongs to others in life, possession, and marriage (Isa 13:16). They do not have the feelings that belong to these matters. Ruthlessly they dash to pieces little children before the eyes of their parents, and ravish women, insensitive to begging them not to do so.

They don’t let themselves be bribed, insensitive as they are to silver and gold, which means nothing to them (Isa 13:17). Their goal is to destroy their enemies with ruthless cruelty and to make sure that no new growth can come. Therefore, they dash to pieces boys, kill children already in the womb, and spare no child already born (Isa 13:18).