Isaiah 13:14

KJV

And it shall be as the chased roe, and as a sheep that no man taketh up: they shall every man turn to his own people, and flee every one into his own land.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it shall be as the chased {H5080} roe {H6643}, and as a sheep {H6629} that no man taketh up {H6908}: they shall every man {H376} turn {H6437} to his own people {H5971}, and flee {H5127} every one {H376} into his own land {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

Like a hunted gazelle, like a sheep without a shepherd, each will return to his own people, each will flee to his native land.

American Standard Version

And it shall come to pass, that as the chased roe, and as sheep that no man gathereth, they shall turn every man to his own people, and shall flee every man to his own land.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 13:14 vividly portrays the utter chaos and dissolution that will accompany divine judgment upon a mighty nation, primarily Babylon. Through striking similes of a hunted gazelle and an abandoned sheep, the prophet depicts a scene of widespread panic and desperate, every-man-for-self flight. The verse culminates in the breaking of all alliances, as foreign inhabitants and mercenaries abandon the fallen empire, each seeking refuge in their original homelands, signifying the complete collapse of its dominion and the profound desolation left in its wake.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 13 marks the beginning of a series of "burdens" or oracles against various foreign nations, with Babylon being the first and most prominent target. This chapter immediately follows prophecies concerning Judah's restoration and the future Messianic kingdom (Isaiah 11-12), setting a stark contrast between God's redemptive purposes for His people and His impending judgment upon the proud and oppressive empires of the world. The preceding verses in Isaiah 13 describe the gathering of God's instruments of wrath—the Medes—and the cosmic disturbances that will accompany the "Day of the Lord," a terrifying time of divine intervention and judgment (e.g., [Isaiah 13:6-13](/isaiah/13-6 "Isaiah 13:6-13 - The Day of the Lord's Wrath")). Verse 14 specifically zeroes in on the human reaction to this cataclysmic event, illustrating the panic and scattering of those caught within Babylon's fall.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy against Babylon in Isaiah 13 is remarkable because it was delivered centuries before Babylon's zenith as a world power under Nebuchadnezzar and its subsequent fall to Cyrus the Great of Persia in 539 BC. At the time of Isaiah (8th century BC), Assyria was the dominant regional power, and Babylon was a vassal state, though it would later rise to prominence. This foresight underscores the prophetic nature of Isaiah's message. The imagery of a "chased roe" and "abandoned sheep" would have been readily understood in an agrarian society familiar with animal behavior and the vulnerability of livestock without a shepherd. The concept of "turning to his own people" and "fleeing into his own land" reflects the common practice of empires incorporating diverse peoples, including mercenaries and conquered populations, who would naturally disperse when the central power collapsed, seeking safety in their ethnic or national origins.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Isaiah and the broader prophetic literature. It highlights the theme of **Divine Judgment and Sovereignty**, demonstrating God's ultimate control over the rise and fall of nations, even those seemingly invincible like Babylon. The imagery of panic and scattering underscores the theme of **Desolation and Chaos** that accompanies God's wrath, leading to the breakdown of social order and alliances. Furthermore, the vulnerability depicted by the "sheep that no man taketh up" speaks to the theme of **Helplessness in the Face of Judgment**, emphasizing that human strength and security are fleeting when confronted with divine power. This prophecy serves as a stark warning against national pride and oppression, aligning with Isaiah's consistent message of God's justice against all unrighteousness, a theme echoed in other prophetic books concerning Babylon's downfall, such as [Jeremiah 50-51](/jeremiah/50 "Jeremiah 50-51 - Prophecy Against Babylon").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **chased (Hebrew, _nâdach'_):** From H5080, meaning "to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to expel, mislead, strike, inflict, etc.); banish, bring, cast down (out), chase, compel, draw away, drive (away, out, quite), fetch a stroke, force, go away, outcast, thrust away (out), withdraw." In this context, it vividly describes the forceful, terror-driven expulsion or pursuit of the people, emphasizing their lack of control and the external pressure driving their flight.
* **flee (Hebrew, _nûwç'_):** From H5127, meaning "to flit, i.e. vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver); [idiom] abate, away, be displayed, (make to) flee (away, -ing), put to flight, [idiom] hide, lift up a standard." This word captures the desperate, rapid movement away from danger, highlighting the urgency and lack of organized retreat. It signifies a complete and irreversible escape, a vanishing from the scene of destruction.
* **people (Hebrew, _ʻam'_):** From H5971, meaning "a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock; folk, men, nation, people." This term emphasizes the return to one's original ethnic or national group, signifying the dissolution of the multi-ethnic Babylonian empire and the reassertion of prior loyalties and identities in the face of collapse.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it shall be as the chased roe":** This clause introduces the first powerful simile, likening the inhabitants of the doomed nation to a gazelle (roe) that is being relentlessly hunted. The "chased" aspect emphasizes the terror, panic, and uncoordinated flight, driven by an overwhelming external threat. A gazelle, known for its swiftness and timidity, flees in pure instinctual fear, without strategy or direction other than escape.
* **"and as a sheep that no man taketh up":** The second simile deepens the sense of abandonment and helplessness. A sheep is inherently vulnerable and dependent on a shepherd. The phrase "no man taketh up" implies a lost, fallen, or injured sheep that is left utterly defenseless and uncared for. This signifies a complete absence of leadership, protection, or compassion amidst the devastation, highlighting the profound isolation and vulnerability of the fleeing populace.
* **"they shall every man turn to his own people":** This clause describes the immediate consequence of the panic and abandonment. The diverse population of Babylon, including foreign residents, mercenaries, and subject peoples, will abandon any loyalty to the empire. "Every man" underscores the individualistic nature of this desperate act, as each person seeks to reconnect with their original ethnic or national group, signaling the complete breakdown of the empire's social fabric.
* **"and flee every one into his own land":** This final clause reinforces the scattering and dissolution. Not only do individuals seek their own people, but they also physically flee back to their native countries or territories. This signifies the total collapse of Babylon's imperial control and the dispersion of its former inhabitants, leaving the land desolate and empty.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 13:14 is rich in **Imagery** and **Simile**, which are powerfully employed to convey the depth of the impending judgment. The prophet uses two distinct **Similes**: "as the chased roe" and "as a sheep that no man taketh up." The "chased roe" evokes a vivid picture of frantic, instinctual flight driven by terror, emphasizing the chaotic and uncoordinated nature of the escape. The "sheep that no man taketh up" conjures an image of utter abandonment and vulnerability, highlighting the absence of protection, care, or leadership in the face of catastrophe. This stark contrast with the biblical motif of God as a caring shepherd (e.g., [Psalm 23:1](/psalms/23-1 "Psalm 23:1 - The Lord is My Shepherd")) underscores the severity of the judgment. The phrase "every man turn to his own people, and flee every one into his own land" employs **Distributive Language** to emphasize the universal and individual nature of the scattering, reinforcing the complete dissolution of the empire's multi-ethnic composition. The overall effect is one of profound **Desolation** and **Chaos**, painting a picture of an empire utterly undone.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 13:14 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of divine judgment and God's absolute sovereignty over human kingdoms. It reveals that no earthly power, no matter how mighty or seemingly secure, is beyond the reach of God's righteous wrath when it engages in pride, oppression, and idolatry. The imagery of panic and dissolution underscores the impermanence of human security and alliances, demonstrating that true safety and stability are found only in God. This verse, therefore, functions as a powerful warning against relying on worldly strength and a call to recognize the ultimate authority of the Lord of Hosts, who orchestrates the rise and fall of nations according to His divine purpose.

* [Jeremiah 50:16](/jeremiah/50-16 "Jeremiah 50:16 - Fleeing Babylon")
* [Revelation 18:4](/revelation/18-4 "Revelation 18:4 - Come Out of Her, My People")
* [Matthew 24:15-22](/matthew/24-15 "Matthew 24:15-22 - The Abomination of Desolation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 13:14, while describing an ancient judgment, carries timeless truths for our lives today. It reminds us that all earthly power, wealth, and security are ultimately fleeting. When God's judgment falls, whether on a nation or in the personal consequences of sin, human-made structures of safety crumble, and alliances dissolve. This should prompt us to examine where we place our ultimate trust. Do we find our security in financial stability, social status, political systems, or even human relationships? Or is our hope firmly rooted in the unchanging character and promises of God? The panic and scattering depicted serve as a stark reminder of the spiritual desolation that comes from living apart from God's protective care. It calls us to seek refuge in Him, to build our lives on His eternal truth, and to find our identity not in temporary affiliations but in our relationship with the one true Shepherd who never abandons His flock.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where do I tend to place my ultimate security and trust in life?**
* **How does the impermanence of earthly power, as depicted in this verse, challenge my current priorities and pursuits?**
* **In what ways might I be like the "sheep that no man taketh up" in my own life, feeling abandoned or vulnerable, and how can I turn to the true Shepherd for comfort and protection?**

### FAQ
**What is the "chased roe" and "sheep that no man taketh up" imagery meant to convey?**

Answer: The imagery is a powerful double simile conveying utter panic, vulnerability, and abandonment. The "chased roe" (or gazelle) represents swift, instinctual flight driven by terror, highlighting the uncoordinated and desperate scattering of people in the face of overwhelming danger. The "sheep that no man taketh up" signifies profound helplessness and a lack of care or protection. Unlike a shepherd who would rescue a lost or fallen sheep, this imagery implies a complete absence of leadership, compassion, or aid, leaving the people utterly exposed and defenseless amidst the chaos of divine judgment. Both images underscore the complete breakdown of order and the terrifying isolation experienced by those caught in the desolation.

**Does this prophecy apply only to ancient Babylon, or does it have broader implications?**

Answer: While Isaiah 13 is specifically an oracle against ancient Babylon and was literally fulfilled with its fall to the Medes and Persians, its themes and imagery have broader, enduring implications. The prophecy serves as a timeless warning against national pride, idolatry, and oppression, demonstrating God's ultimate sovereignty over all nations and His willingness to bring judgment upon any power that sets itself against His righteous will. The "Day of the Lord" concept, which undergirds this prophecy (see [Isaiah 13:6](/isaiah/13-6 "Isaiah 13:6 - The Day of the Lord is Near")), is a recurring prophetic theme that points to future times of divine judgment, including the ultimate end-time judgments described in the New Testament. Thus, while rooted in a specific historical context, the principles of divine judgment, the impermanence of earthly power, and the scattering of those who rely on it remain universally applicable.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Isaiah 13:14 describes the judgment upon Babylon, its imagery of scattering, abandonment, and the search for refuge finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment. The panicked flight of "every man to his own people" foreshadows the ultimate scattering of humanity under the curse of sin, each alienated from God and seeking solace in their own futile efforts or earthly allegiances. However, Christ comes as the true Shepherd, unlike the "no man" who takes up the abandoned sheep. He is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep, gathering those who were scattered (e.g., [John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - The Good Shepherd"), [John 11:52](/john/11-52 "John 11:52 - Gathered into One")). In Him, the "chased roe" finds a secure refuge, and the abandoned "sheep" finds a caring Protector who will never leave nor forsake His own (e.g., [Hebrews 13:5](/hebrews/13-5 "Hebrews 13:5 - I Will Never Leave You")). Ultimately, the judgment described in Isaiah 13 points forward to the final judgment of all ungodliness, including the spiritual "Babylon" of this world (e.g., [Revelation 18:2-8](/revelation/18-2 "Revelation 18:2-8 - The Fall of Babylon")), from which Christ calls His people to "come out" (e.g., [Revelation 18:4](/revelation/18-4 "Revelation 18:4 - Come Out of Her, My People")), offering them a secure and eternal homeland in His kingdom, where there will be no more fear or scattering (e.g., [Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1 "Revelation 21:1-4 - New Heaven and New Earth")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Kings 22:17

And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master: let them return every man to his house in peace.

Jeremiah 50:16

Cut off the sower from Babylon, and him that handleth the sickle in the time of harvest: for fear of the oppressing sword they shall turn every one to his people, and they shall flee every one to his own land.

1 Kings 22:36

And there went a proclamation throughout the host about the going down of the sun, saying, Every man to his city, and every man to his own country.

Jeremiah 51:9

We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed: forsake her, and let us go every one into his own country: for her judgment reacheth unto heaven, and is lifted up [even] to the skies.

Revelation 18:9

¶ And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,

Revelation 18:10

Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.

Isaiah 47:15

Thus shall they be unto thee with whom thou hast laboured, [even] thy merchants, from thy youth: they shall wander every one to his quarter; none shall save thee.