Isaiah 13:15

Translation
King James Version
Every one that is found shall be thrust through; and every one that is joined unto them shall fall by the sword.
Ask
KJV (with Strong's)
Every one that is found H4672 shall be thrust through H1856; and every one that is joined H5595 unto them shall fall H5307 by the sword H2719.
Ask
Complete Jewish Bible
Anyone found will be pierced through; anyone caught will fall by the sword,
Ask
Berean Standard Bible
Whoever is caught will be stabbed, and whoever is captured will die by the sword.
Ask
American Standard Version
Every one that is found shall be thrust through; and every one that is taken shall fall by the sword.
Ask
World English Bible Messianic
Everyone who is found will be thrust through. Everyone who is captured will fall by the sword.
Ask
Geneva Bible (1599)
Euery one that is founde, shall be striken through: and whosoeuer ioyneth himselfe, shall fal by the sworde.
Ask
Young's Literal Translation
Every one who is found is thrust through, And every one who is added falleth by sword.
Ask
See also
Jeremiah 50:25Jeremiah 50:35Jeremiah 50:42Jeremiah 50:27Isaiah 14:19Isaiah 14:22Jeremiah 51:3
In the KJVVerse 17,922 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Isaiah 13:15 powerfully depicts the brutal and indiscriminate nature of the judgment decreed against Babylon, a pivotal moment within a broader prophetic oracle. This verse underscores that during the city's cataclysmic downfall, neither its entrenched residents nor its allied forces would escape the impending destruction. All found within its formidable walls and all who had aligned themselves with its oppressive power would equally face the relentless sword, thereby emphasizing the comprehensive and inescapable wrath of God against a proud, idolatrous, and tyrannical empire.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: Isaiah 13:15 is deeply embedded within a profound prophetic oracle against Babylon, which initiates a significant series of "burdens" or pronouncements of judgment against various nations, spanning Isaiah 13-23. Chapter 13 itself commences with a divine declaration of intent to muster a formidable army, specifically identifying the Medes (Isaiah 13:17), as the chosen instrument for executing God's righteous wrath upon Babylon. The preceding verses, Isaiah 13:6-13, vividly portray the cosmic and earthly upheaval associated with the "Day of the Lord," a recurring and potent prophetic theme signifying a decisive time of divine intervention, cataclysmic judgment, and the ultimate, undeniable establishment of God's sovereign rule. Within this overarching framework of divine judgment, verse 15 intensifies the imagery of destruction, shifting focus to the horrific human cost and the utter impossibility of escape for any caught in Babylon's devastating demise.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: Ancient Babylon, particularly during the zenith of the Neo-Babylonian Empire (626-539 BC), stood as the preeminent superpower of its era. Under the formidable leadership of rulers like Nebuchadnezzar II, it forged a vast empire, conquering numerous territories, including Judah, which led directly to the traumatic Babylonian exile of the Israelites. Its capital city was legendary, renowned globally for its immense, seemingly impregnable walls, the fabled Hanging Gardens, and its towering ziggurat (often identified as a successor to the Tower of Babel), all symbolizing its unparalleled pride, immense wealth, and perceived invincibility. Culturally, Babylon was a vibrant, yet deeply problematic, center of pervasive idolatry, oppressive governance, and imperial hubris, making it a prime, archetypal target for divine judgment within the prophetic imagination. Isaiah's prophecy, delivered centuries before Babylon's eventual, historical fall to the Medo-Persian forces under Cyrus the Great in 539 BC, stands as a powerful testament to God's unparalleled foreknowledge and His ultimate, sovereign control over the rise and fall of all earthly empires, often utilizing one nation as a precise instrument of judgment against another.
  • Key Themes: This verse powerfully contributes to several foundational themes prevalent throughout the book of Isaiah and the broader corpus of prophetic literature. It emphatically underscores the theme of Divine Judgment and Sovereignty, demonstrating with chilling clarity that even the most formidable and seemingly impregnable earthly empires, like Babylon, are unequivocally subject to God's ultimate authority and righteous wrath (Isaiah 14:4-23). The severity of this judgment is also presented as a direct, inescapable consequence of Babylon's pervasive Pride and Oppression, particularly its notorious cruelty towards God's chosen people (Jeremiah 50-51). Furthermore, the indiscriminate nature of the destruction, highlighted by the phrases "Every one that is found" and "every one that is joined," vividly illustrates the theme of Collective Consequences, where association with a wicked, condemned system or nation inevitably brings shared calamity. Finally, the precise and undeniable fulfillment of this prophecy centuries after its initial pronouncement powerfully reinforces the overarching theme of the Reliability and Fulfillment of God's Word, affirming the absolute truthfulness and divine origin of biblical prophecy.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • Found (Hebrew, mâtsâʼ', H4672): This verb, H4672, signifies to be present, to be discovered, or to come upon. In the chilling context of this verse, it emphasizes the utter inescapability of the judgment; anyone who happens to be within the city's confines when the devastating attack occurs will be subjected to the relentless violence. It conveys a stark reality: there will be no hiding place, no means of evasion, and no exception for those physically present.
  • Thrust through (Hebrew, dâqar', H1856): This primitive root, H1856, means to stab, pierce, or wound. It vividly conveys a violent, fatal, and often brutal method of death, typically inflicted by a sharp weapon such as a spear or sword. The use of the passive voice in the KJV ("shall be thrust through") emphasizes the helplessness of the victims, indicating that this action will be inflicted upon them, underscoring their complete vulnerability in the face of the overwhelming onslaught.
  • Joined (Hebrew, çâphâh', H5595): This term, H5595, primarily means to scrape together, accumulate, or, conversely, to sweep away and perish. Here, it refers to those who have allied themselves with Babylon, whether through residence, political allegiance, military support, or simply being caught up in its sphere of influence and destiny. It powerfully highlights that the judgment is not confined solely to the core inhabitants but extends indiscriminately to all who are associated with the condemned entity, ensuring they share in its catastrophic fate.

Verse Breakdown

  • "Every one that is found shall be thrust through": This initial clause delivers a chilling declaration that anyone discovered within the city of Babylon during the impending invasion, irrespective of their social status, innocence, or specific actions, will be violently killed. It speaks to the utter lack of mercy or discrimination in the coming judgment, emphasizing the comprehensive and absolute nature of the destruction that will sweep through the city.
  • "and every one that is joined [unto them] shall fall by the sword": This second clause expands the scope of the judgment, extending it beyond merely those physically "found" to include all who have allied themselves with Babylon or have become inextricably linked to its destiny. It powerfully reinforces the idea of collective consequence, where association with a condemned entity leads to shared destruction, specifically a violent death by military force, symbolizing the complete and utter defeat of Babylon and all connected to it.

Literary Devices

Isaiah 13:15 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of impending doom and the totality of divine judgment. Hyperbole is powerfully evident in the absolute and sweeping language ("Every one... every one"), which serves to emphasize the perceived totality and inevitability of the destruction, even if, in reality, a minuscule number might escape. This rhetorical exaggeration is designed to impress upon the audience the overwhelming severity and comprehensiveness of God's judgment. Vivid Imagery of violent death ("thrust through," "fall by the sword") creates a terrifying and visceral picture of the coming invasion, appealing directly to the reader's senses and emotions to underscore the brutality of the event. The "sword" itself functions as Metonymy, representing not merely the physical weapon but the entire military conflict, its devastating consequences, and the instrument of divine wrath. Furthermore, the verse is an integral part of a larger Prophetic Oracle, a divinely inspired message that characteristically employs heightened language, dramatic scenarios, and symbolic imagery to convey God's sovereign will and His future actions in human history.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

This stark prophecy of judgment against Babylon serves as a profound theological statement about God's absolute sovereignty over human history and His unwavering commitment to perfect justice. It reminds us with sobering clarity that no earthly power, however mighty, wealthy, or seemingly impregnable, can ultimately stand against the righteous will of the Almighty. The catastrophic fall of Babylon, an enduring biblical archetype of human pride, idolatry, and oppressive wickedness, powerfully illustrates that God will meticulously hold nations and empires accountable for their sin, especially their cruelty and injustice towards His people. The indiscriminate nature of the judgment also highlights the serious and often collective consequences of aligning oneself with systems, ideologies, or powers that are fundamentally opposed to God's righteous and holy standards. It stands as a timeless warning that complicity or even mere presence within a condemned system can lead to shared ruin, underscoring the critical importance of spiritual discernment and allegiance.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Isaiah 13:15, while rooted in a specific historical prophecy concerning ancient Babylon, carries profound and timeless lessons for believers today. It serves as a powerful, sobering reminder that God is perfectly just and that all forms of pride, oppression, and wickedness—whether manifested in nations, institutions, or individual lives—will ultimately face His righteous and inescapable judgment. This truth should instill in us a holy fear of God, a deep reverence for His moral order, and a profound understanding of His unwavering justice. Furthermore, the stark warning about those "joined unto them" challenges us to engage in critical self-examination, evaluating our associations, allegiances, and the systems we consciously or unconsciously support. Are we, perhaps inadvertently, aligning ourselves with values, practices, or worldviews that are fundamentally contrary to God's kingdom and His divine purposes? This verse calls us to profound spiritual discernment, urging us to actively separate ourselves from anything that is destined for divine judgment. Our ultimate refuge, security, and hope are not found in fleeting earthly powers, transient empires, or worldly systems, but solely in the eternal, unshakeable, and righteous kingdom of God.

Questions for Reflection

  • How does the comprehensive and indiscriminate nature of Babylon's judgment in this verse deepen my understanding of God's justice and holiness?
  • In what subtle or overt ways might I be "joined" to systems, ideologies, or cultural norms in my own life that are contrary to God's will, and what practical steps can I take to disentangle myself?
  • How does the certainty of divine judgment, as depicted in this prophecy, motivate me to live a life of greater holiness, integrity, and radical dependence on God?
  • What comfort, warning, or call to action does this ancient prophecy offer me regarding the ultimate fate of oppressive powers and injustices in the world today?

FAQ

Does this prophecy mean God is cruel or unjust in His judgments?

Answer: No, this prophecy does not depict God as cruel or unjust, but rather as perfectly righteous, holy, and sovereign. The severity of the judgment meted out to Babylon reflects the immense magnitude of its accumulated sin—its pervasive pride, rampant idolatry, and particularly its brutal and sustained oppression of other nations, including God's chosen people, Israel. God's judgment is consistently presented in Scripture as a just and necessary response to persistent wickedness, a demonstration of His unwavering justice that ensures evil does not go unpunished. It is an essential act to uphold His moral order, vindicate the oppressed, and ultimately to advance His overarching redemptive purposes for humanity. While the imagery is stark and terrifying, it underscores the gravity of sin and the certainty of divine accountability, not arbitrary cruelty.

How does this ancient prophecy apply to us today, given that Babylon fell long ago?

Answer: While the literal, historical city of Babylon fell centuries ago, the principles and archetypes embedded in this prophecy remain profoundly relevant for all generations. Babylon often serves as a powerful biblical archetype for any proud, oppressive, idolatrous, and godless system or empire that stands in opposition to God and His people. Thus, the prophecy powerfully reminds us that God remains eternally sovereign over all nations and that all earthly powers, no matter how formidable or enduring they seem, are ultimately accountable to Him. It serves as a timeless warning against the dangers of pride, idolatry, and oppression, and it issues a clear call for believers to discern and separate themselves from the "Babylonian" systems of the world (Revelation 18:4) that are destined for divine judgment. Ultimately, it points to the enduring truth that true security, lasting refuge, and eternal hope are found only in God and His eternal kingdom, not in fleeting human empires or worldly constructs.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

While Isaiah 13:15 vividly describes the historical judgment upon ancient Babylon, its profound theological trajectory points forward to the ultimate triumph of Christ and the decisive judgment of all that opposes God's righteous rule. The imagery of being "thrust through" and "fall by the sword" in Babylon's demise foreshadows the ultimate, definitive victory of the Lamb of God, who, through His perfect sacrifice on the cross and His glorious resurrection, decisively disarmed the spiritual powers of darkness and triumphed over them (Colossians 2:15). Just as the physical city of Babylon was judged for its pervasive pride, idolatry, and cruel oppression, Christ's redemptive work on the cross and His subsequent reign bring a spiritual judgment upon the spiritual "Babylon"—the world system of sin, rebellion, and anti-God forces that holds humanity captive. The indiscriminate nature of the judgment in Isaiah 13:15, where all found within or joined to Babylon perish, finds its glorious counterpoint in Christ, who offers an indiscriminate and universal salvation to "whoever believes in Him" (John 3:16). Those who are "joined" to Christ through saving faith are not destined for judgment but for eternal life and freedom from condemnation (Romans 8:1). Ultimately, the final and complete overthrow of all evil, symbolized by the "fall of Babylon the great" in the book of Revelation (Revelation 18:2), is fully accomplished through the triumphant return of Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords, securing eternal justice and establishing His unshakeable, everlasting kingdom (Hebrews 12:28).

Copy as

Commentary on Isaiah 13 verses 6–18

We have here a very elegant and lively description of the terrible confusion and desolation which should be made in Babylon by the descent which the Medes and Persians should make upon it. Those that were now secure and easy were bidden to howl and make sad lamentation; for,

I. God was about to appear in wrath against them, and it is a fearful thing to fall into his hands: The day of the Lord is at hand (Isa 13:6), a little day of judgment, when God will act as a just avenger of his own and his people's injured cause. And there are those who will have reason to tremble when that day is at hand. The day of the Lord cometh, Isa 13:9. Men have their day now, and they think to carry the day; but God laughs at them, for he sees that his day is coming, Psa 37:13. Fury is not with God, and yet his day of reckoning with the Babylonians is said to be cruel with wrath and fierce anger. God will deal in severity with them for the severities they exercised upon God's people; with the froward, with the cruel, he will show himself froward, will show himself cruel, and give the blood-thirsty blood to drink.

II. Their hearts shall fail them, and they shall have neither courage nor comfort left; they shall not be able either to resist the judgment coming or to bear up under it, either to oppose the enemy or to support themselves, Isa 13:7, Isa 13:8. Those that in the day of their peace were proud, and haughty, and terrible (Isa 13:11), shall, when trouble comes, be quite dispirited and at their wits' end: All hands shall be faint, and unable to hold a weapon, and every man's heart shall melt, so that they shall be ready to die for fear. The pangs of their fear shall be like those of a woman in hard labour, and they shall be amazed one at another. In frightening themselves, they shall frighten one another; they shall wonder to see those tremble that used to be bold and daring; or they shall be amazed looking one at another, as men at a loss, Gen 42:1. Their faces shall be as flames, pale as flames, through fear (so some), or red as flames sometimes are, blushing at their own cowardice; or their faces shall be as faces scorched with the flame, or as theirs that labour in the fire, their visage blacker than a coal, or like a bottle in the smoke, Psa 119:83.

III. All comfort and hope shall fail them (Isa 13:10): The stars of heaven shall not give their light, but shall be clouded and overcast; the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, rising bright, but lost again, a certain sign of foul weather. They shall be as men in distress at sea, when neither sun nor stars appear, Act 27:20. It shall be as dreadful a time with them as it would be with the earth if all the heavenly luminaries were turned into darkness, a resemblance of the day of judgment, when the sun shall be turned into darkness. The heavens frowning thus is an indication of the displeasure of the God of heaven. When things look dark on earth, yet it is well enough if all be clear upwards; but, if we have no comfort thence, wherewith shall we be comforted?

IV. God will visit them for their iniquity; and all this is intended for the punishment of sin, and particularly the sin of pride, Isa 13:11. This puts wormwood and gall into the affliction and misery, 1. That sin must now have its punishment. Though Babylon be a little world, yet, being a wicked world, it shall not go unpunished. Sin brings desolation on the world of the ungodly; and when the kingdoms of the earth are quarrelling with one another it is the fruit of God's controversy with them all. 2. That pride must now have its fall: The haughtiness of the terrible must now be laid low, particularly of Nebuchadnezzar and his son Belshazzar, who had, in their pride, trampled upon, and made themselves very terrible to, the people of God. A man's pride will bring him low.

V. There shall be so great a slaughter as will produce a scarcity of men (Isa 13:12): I will make a man more precious than fine gold. You could not have a man to be employed in any of the affairs of state, not a man to be enlisted in the army, not a man to match a daughter to, for the building up of a family, if you would give any money for one. The troops of the neighbouring nations would not be hired into the service of the king of Babylon, because they saw every thing go against him. Populous countries are soon depopulated by war. And God can soon make a kingdom that has been courted and admired to be dreaded and shunned by all, as a house that is falling, or a ship that is sinking.

VI. There shall be a universal confusion and consternation, such a confusion of their affairs that it shall be like the shaking of the heavens with dreadful thunders and the removing of the earth by no less dreadful earthquakes. All shall go to rack and ruin in the day of the wrath of the Lord of hosts, Isa 13:13. And such a consternation shall seize their spirits that Babylon, which used to be like a roaring lion and a raging bear to all about her, shall become as a chased roe and as a sheep that no man takes up, Isa 13:14. The army they shall bring into the field, consisting of troops of divers nations (as great armies usually do), shall be so dispirited by their own apprehensions and so dispersed by their enemies' sword that they shall turn every man to his own people; each man shall shift for his own safety; the men of might shall not find their hands (Psa 76:5), but take to their heels.

VII. There shall be a general scene of blood and horror, as is usual where the sword devours. No wonder that every one makes the best of his way, since the conqueror gives no quarter, but puts all to the sword, and not those only that are found in arms, as is usual with us even in the most cruel slaughters (Isa 13:15): Every one that is found alive shall be run through, as soon as ever it appears that he is a Babylonian. Nay, because the sword devours one as well as another, every one that is joined to them shall fall by the sword; those of other nations that come in to their assistance shall be cut off with them. It is dangerous being in bad company, and helping those whom God is about to destroy. Those particularly that join themselves to Babylon must expect to share in her plagues, Rev 18:4. And, since the most sacred laws of nature, and of humanity itself, are silenced by the fury of war (though they cannot be cancelled), the conquerors shall, in the most barbarous brutish manner, dash the children to pieces, and ravish the wives. Jusque datum sceleri - Wickedness shall have free course, Isa 13:16. They had thus dealt with God's people (Lam 5:11), and now they shall be paid in their own coin, Rev 13:10. It was particularly foretold (Psa 137:9) that the little ones of Babylon should be dashed against the stones. How cruel soever and unjust those were that did it, God was righteous who suffered it to be done, and to be done before their eyes, to their greater terror and vexation. It was just also that the houses which they had filled with the spoil of Israel should be spoiled and plundered. What is got by rapine is often lost in the same manner.

VIII. The enemy that God will send against them shall be inexorable, probably being by some provocation or other more than ordinarily exasperated against them; or, in whatever way it may be brought about, God himself will stir up the Medes to use this severity with the Babylonians. He will not only serve his own purposes by their dispositions and designs, but will put it into their hearts to make this attempt upon Babylon, and suffer them to prosecute it with all this fury. God is not the author of sin, but he would not permit it if he did not know how to bring glory to himself out of it. These Medes, in conjunction with the Persians, shall make thorough work of it; for, 1. They shall take no bribes, Isa 13:17. All that men have they would give for their lives, but the Medes shall not regard silver; it is blood they thirst for, not gold; no man's riches shall with them be the ransom of his life. 2. They shall show no pity (Isa 13:18), not to the young men that are in the prime of their time - they shall shoot them through with their bows, and then dash them to pieces; not to the age of innocency - they shall have no pity on the fruit of the womb, nor spare little children, whose cries and frights one would think should make even marble eyes to weep, and hearts of adamant to relent. Pause a little here and wonder, (1.) That men should be thus cruel and inhuman, and so utterly divested of all compassion; and in it see how corrupt and degenerate the nature of man has become. (2.) That the God of infinite mercy should suffer it, nay, and should make it to be the execution of his justice, which shows that, though he is gracious, yet he is the God to whom vengeance belongs. (3.) That little infants, who have never been guilty of any actual sin, should be thus abused, which shows that there is an original guilt by which life is forfeited as soon as it is had.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 6–18. Public domain.
Copy as
JeromeAD 420
Commentary on Isaiah
(Verse 15.) However, you will be dragged down to the depths of the lake. LXX: But now you will descend to the underworld, and to the foundations of the earth. You will not descend to the underworld willingly (or, by your own choice), for this is the work of the Lord and Savior, to free the bound from the depths. But you will be dragged down to the underworld against your will, for while you were able to ascend to the heights through virtues, you will be dragged down to punishment through vices. The saints have the wings of an eagle, and the wings of a dove, and they can say: I will fly and find rest (Psalm 54). But the wicked, like the Egyptians, were submerged as lead in the violent waters, and they were submerged into the depths like a stone (Exod. XV). Therefore, iniquity, or as is better understood in Hebrew, impiety, is seen sitting upon a talent of lead (Zach. V). Therefore, what we read elsewhere, 'Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled' (Luke XVIII, 14), even the king of confusion suffered, so that he would be cast down to the foundations of the earth, or as is more true in Hebrew, into the depths of the abyss. In Deuteronomy, it is written about the foundations of the earth: A fire is kindled in My anger, and it shall burn to the lowest hell. It shall consume the earth and its foundations, namely those who are earthly. Concerning the pit, which signifies the depths of hell, there are these testimonies: I am made like those who go down into the pit. And: You have laid me in the lowest pit. Just as a lake receives descending waters, so does hell receive souls: to this lake did Benaiah descend in the time of snow and cold, and he killed a lion there. And so the heretics forsake the fountain of the living water, the Lord, and dig for themselves broken cisterns that cannot hold water. Concerning these cisterns, which do not have the fervor of the Holy Spirit, they are not like the prophet Jeremiah, who spoke according to the Septuagint translators: 'I found warm water in the desert' (Jeremiah 2). But with charity growing cold, they have lost the heat of the Holy Spirit. That is the cistern of which Jeremiah also speaks: 'As a cistern cools the water, so does malice cool those who have it' (Jeremiah 6:7). Oh, would that they were either hot or cold (Apoc. III), that is, either believers or not believers at all, so that they would not be rejected by the Lord because of lukewarmness and feigned faith!
JeromeAD 420
Commentary on Isaiah
(Verse 14-16.) And it shall be like a frightened doe and like a flock of sheep, and there will be no one to gather them. Each one will turn to their own people, and they will each flee to their own land. Everyone who is found will be killed, and everyone who comes upon them will fall by the sword. Their infants will be dashed to pieces before their eyes; their houses will be plundered, and their wives will be violated. With heaven and earth in turmoil, the devil will flee like a twisted serpent, or any doctrine contrary to the truth, which is divided among teachers and disciples, the former being called Dorcades, which means Fawns in the Greek language, and the latter are like brute animals, wandering here and there with no one to guide them. For they have lost the one about whom it is written: The steps of a man are established by the Lord (Prov. 20:24). Those who are freed from the worst teachers will turn to their own people, and they will each flee to their own land from which they came. But anyone who is found will be killed or slaughtered. However, this not only happened at the end of the world, but it still happens today in the Church: when the masters are overcome, the deceived flock returns to the people and to their own land; and in that which is found, it is killed so that it ceases to be a heretic, and whoever comes after will fall by the spiritual sword. Then their infants and little ones, who have not yet reached the age of perfected error, are blinded in the eyes of the masters, and their homes are plundered, and their wives are violated, with wicked wisdom and perverse teaching. Wherefore, for fathers of this kind, whose infants are to be killed, we ought to pray and say: Give them, O Lord. What shall you give them? A barren womb, and dry breasts (Hosea IX, 4). For they have brought forth iniquity, have conceived sorrow, and have brought forth injustice.
JeromeAD 420
Commentary on Isaiah
(Verse 15.) Everyone who is found will be killed, and everyone who comes will fall by the sword. Those who do not flee will be struck with a sword, and anyone who tries to resist or return will not be of any help to the captured city, to the extent that they will shed their own blood as well.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
Copy as

Continue studying Isaiah 13:15 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.

Read & Compare

Commentaries

Original Language & Research

Sermons, Hymns & Audio

TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.