Isaiah 13:16

Translation
King James Version
Their children also shall be dashed to pieces before their eyes; their houses shall be spoiled, and their wives ravished.
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KJV (with Strong's)
Their children H5768 also shall be dashed to pieces H7376 before their eyes H5869; their houses H1004 shall be spoiled H8155, and their wives H802 ravished H7901 H7693.
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Complete Jewish Bible
their babies dashed to pieces before their eyes, their houses looted, their wives raped.
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Berean Standard Bible
Their infants will be dashed to pieces before their eyes, their houses will be looted, and their wives will be ravished.
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American Standard Version
Their infants also shall be dashed in pieces before their eyes; their houses shall be rifled, and their wives ravished.
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World English Bible Messianic
Their infants also will be dashed in pieces before their eyes. Their houses will be ransacked, and their wives raped.
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Geneva Bible (1599)
Their children also shall be broken in pieces before their eyes: their houses shall be spoiled, and their wiues rauished.
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Young's Literal Translation
And their sucklings are dashed to pieces before their eyes, Spoiled are their houses, and their wives lain with.
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See also
Hosea 10:14Nahum 3:10Psalms 137:8Psalms 137:9Zechariah 14:2Lamentations 5:11Isaiah 13:18
In the KJVVerse 17,923 of 31,102

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SUMMARY

Isaiah 13:16 delivers a harrowing prophetic declaration, forming a part of God's divine oracle against the formidable empire of Babylon. It vividly portrays the brutal consequences of the impending judgment, detailing the merciless slaughter of children, the plundering of homes, and the sexual assault of women. This verse stands as a chilling testament to the severity of divine wrath against a proud, oppressive nation, illustrating the horrific realities of ancient conquest as an instrument of God's righteous justice.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: This verse is deeply embedded within Isaiah 13, which initiates a significant section of "burdens" or prophetic pronouncements against various nations. Specifically, Isaiah 13:1-22 is a comprehensive prophecy detailing the future downfall of Babylon. It is crucial to note that during Isaiah's ministry, Babylon had not yet risen to its imperial dominance nor had it conquered Judah. Therefore, this prophecy is a remarkable testament to divine foreknowledge, speaking to Babylon's future, divinely orchestrated collapse. The language throughout the chapter is intensely apocalyptic, employing cosmic imagery and potent hyperbole to underscore the immense scale of God's intervention. Verse 16 integrates seamlessly into a broader description of the "day of the LORD" (Isaiah 13:9), a recurring prophetic motif that signifies a decisive period of divine judgment and societal upheaval, often accompanied by cosmic disturbances and profound human suffering. This particular verse starkly highlights the human cost of such judgment, emphasizing the absolute and devastating completeness of Babylon's impending devastation.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: The grim imagery presented in Isaiah 13:16 accurately reflects the brutal realities of ancient Near Eastern warfare. Conquests during this era were frequently characterized by extreme violence, including the systematic destruction of conquered cities, the widespread slaughter of populations (particularly male combatants and children, often to prevent future rebellions), and the sexual enslavement or violation of women. These acts were not merely incidental but frequently served as deliberate tactics of terror and humiliation, designed to utterly break the spirit of the defeated populace and deter any future resistance. Babylon itself, in its later imperial phase under Nebuchadnezzar, would become infamous for its ruthless military campaigns and the harsh treatment of its captives, including the Judeans during the exile. Thus, the prophecy in Isaiah 13, including this verse, depicts Babylon suffering the very atrocities it would later inflict upon others, serving as a profound divine reversal of fortune and a just recompense for its pride and cruelty.
  • Key Themes: Isaiah 13:16 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes central to the book of Isaiah and broader biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of Divine Sovereignty and Justice, asserting God's absolute control over the rise and fall of nations and His unwavering commitment to judging wickedness. Babylon's impending doom, despite its perceived invincibility, demonstrates unequivocally that no earthly power can ultimately defy the Lord of Hosts (Isaiah 13:4). Secondly, the verse starkly underscores the Consequences of Human Pride and Oppression. Babylon's arrogance and its future role as an oppressor of God's people would inevitably incur severe divine wrath, serving as a potent warning against unchecked power and moral corruption. This theme resonates throughout other prophetic books concerning nations like Assyria or Egypt (Nahum 3:1-19; Ezekiel 29:1-21). Finally, the graphic nature of the prophecy emphasizes the Certainty and Severity of Prophetic Fulfillment. The detailed and disturbing predictions, though difficult to read, highlight the absolute truthfulness of God's word and the comprehensive, inescapable nature of His judgment when it comes to pass.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • children (Hebrew, ʻôwlêl', H5768): This noun (H5768) refers to a "suckling," "babe," "young child," or "infant." In this context, it emphasizes the extreme vulnerability and innocence of those being targeted. The act of dashing these young ones to pieces underscores the utter brutality and lack of mercy displayed by the conquerors, highlighting the complete annihilation of the enemy's future generations.
  • dashed to pieces (Hebrew, râṭâsh', H7376): This verb (H7376) is a primitive root meaning "to dash down" or "to dash in pieces." It vividly describes a violent, destructive action where individuals are forcefully thrown or smashed against a hard surface. The term conveys extreme brutality and a deliberate intent to utterly destroy, leaving no chance of survival, and is particularly shocking when applied to children.
  • houses (Hebrew, bayith', H1004): This noun (H1004) primarily denotes a "house" or "dwelling," but its semantic range extends to encompass "family," "household," or even a "dynasty." When houses are "spoiled," it signifies not merely the loss of material possessions but the complete disruption and destruction of the family unit, its security, and its heritage. This represents the collapse of the social, economic, and familial fabric of the defeated people.
  • ravished (Hebrew, shâgal', H7693): This verb (H7693) is a primitive root meaning "to copulate with," specifically implying sexual intercourse, often in a violent or forced manner. While the KJV uses "ravished," conveying sexual assault, the underlying Hebrew term (also linked to H7901, shâkab, "to lie down," which can also imply sexual connection) unequivocally points to the abhorrent act of sexual violence against women. This was a common and devastating aspect of ancient warfare, designed to humiliate, dehumanize, and further break the spirit of the conquered population, leaving deep and lasting trauma.

Verse Breakdown

  • "Their children also shall be dashed to pieces before their eyes;": This clause paints an excruciatingly painful picture of parents forced to witness the brutal murder of their own children. The phrase "dashed to pieces" conveys extreme violence, often associated with infants or young children, underscoring the merciless nature of the conquest. This act is not merely a consequence of war but a deliberate and horrifying cruelty designed to inflict maximum psychological torment and eliminate future generations, ensuring the complete eradication of the lineage.
  • "their houses shall be spoiled,": This phrase describes the systematic plundering and destruction of homes. To be "spoiled" (from H8155, shâçaç) means to plunder or rifle, indicating that their dwellings and all their possessions within them would be ransacked and taken by the conquering forces. This signifies the utter loss of security, property, and the very foundation of their domestic lives, leaving them destitute and vulnerable.
  • "and their wives ravished.": This final clause refers to the abhorrent act of sexual assault against women. "Ravished" (from H7901, shâkab, and H7693, shâgal) speaks to the horrific reality of sexual violence as an act of war, used to humiliate, terrorize, and dominate the defeated population. It represents the ultimate violation of dignity and personhood, inflicting profound and lasting trauma upon the women and, by extension, the entire community.

Literary Devices

Isaiah 13:16 employs several potent literary devices to convey its chilling and impactful message. Graphic Imagery is paramount, utilizing visceral descriptions of extreme violence ("dashed to pieces," "ravished") to evoke a strong emotional response and underscore the severity and totality of the impending judgment. This imagery functions as a form of Hyperbole, not necessarily implying that every single child would be killed in this precise manner, but rather emphasizing the absolute and devastating nature of the conquest and the complete obliteration of the enemy. The prophecy also utilizes Foreshadowing, as it predicts events that would occur centuries after Isaiah's time, highlighting the divine omniscience and the unwavering certainty of God's word. Furthermore, there is a profound element of Poetic Justice or Irony at play, as Babylon, a nation that would later become infamous for its own brutal conquests and the mistreatment of its captives (including Judah), is prophesied to suffer similar, if not identical, atrocities. This powerfully demonstrates a divine principle of recompense, where the oppressor ultimately experiences the very suffering they inflicted upon others.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Isaiah 13:16, while undeniably disturbing in its graphic depiction, serves as a profound theological statement concerning God's justice and His absolute sovereign control over human history. It reveals that divine judgment is not a trivial matter, but a serious and at times terrifying consequence for nations that persist in pride, idolatry, and systemic oppression. This passage underscores that God is acutely aware of and responds to the suffering of the innocent, and He will ultimately hold even the most powerful empires accountable for their actions. It stands as a stark reminder that unchecked wickedness, particularly that which involves cruelty and violence against the vulnerable, incurs the severe wrath of a holy God. The graphic nature of the prophecy emphasizes the completeness and finality of this judgment, leaving no doubt about the absolute downfall of Babylon.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

The imagery in Isaiah 13:16 is undeniably unsettling, confronting us with the raw, brutal realities of ancient warfare and the profound severity of divine judgment. For the contemporary reader, it compels us to grapple with the multifaceted nature of God—His holiness, His unwavering justice, and His resolute opposition to evil. While we may naturally recoil from such graphic descriptions, this passage serves as a powerful reminder that God is not indifferent to human suffering or the atrocities committed by oppressive regimes. It functions as a sobering warning against the insidious dangers of national pride, unchecked power, and the dehumanization of others. Moreover, it offers a stark perspective on the devastating consequences of sin, not merely for individuals but for entire societies. Ultimately, for those who are oppressed, such grim prophecies can paradoxically offer a profound sense of hope: God sees, He hears the cries of the afflicted, and He will ultimately intervene to bring justice and set things right. This understanding should inspire us to pray fervently for justice, to advocate passionately for the vulnerable, and to live in a manner that genuinely reflects God's righteousness and compassion, rather than the pervasive cruelty of fallen humanity.

Questions for Reflection

  • How does this passage challenge or deepen your understanding of God's character, particularly His justice and wrath, in light of His love?
  • In what ways does the graphic nature of this prophecy serve a theological purpose, rather than merely being descriptive or sensational?
  • What enduring lessons can modern societies draw from the fall of powerful empires like Babylon, as depicted in this verse, regarding the dangers of pride and oppression?

FAQ

Why does God allow such horrific acts as described in Isaiah 13:16 to be part of His judgment?

Answer: This verse describes the consequences of divine judgment, which in the Old Testament often involved God using human agents (conquering armies) to execute His wrath upon wicked nations. The atrocities mentioned, while horrific, were unfortunately common practices in ancient warfare. The prophet is not endorsing these acts as God's ideal will, but rather depicting the full, devastating reality of what happens when God "gives over" a nation to its enemies as a consequence of its accumulated sin, pride, and oppression. It underscores the severity of God's justice and the terrifying nature of judgment for those who persistently defy Him and inflict evil upon others. It also serves as a stark warning and a demonstration of God's absolute sovereignty over human history and the fate of nations.

How can a loving God command or allow such violence, especially against children and women?

Answer: This is one of the most challenging aspects of such passages for many readers. It's crucial to understand that the Bible presents God as both infinitely loving and perfectly just. While God is the very essence of love (1 John 4:8), He is also perfectly holy and righteous, meaning He cannot tolerate evil indefinitely. The judgment against Babylon, as depicted here, is a severe response to its extreme wickedness, its pervasive idolatry, and its future role as a brutal oppressor of God's people. The descriptions of violence reflect the historical realities of ancient warfare, which God permits as a consequence of human sin and as a means of executing His judgment. It's not that God delights in violence, but that He is committed to upholding justice and bringing an end to systemic evil. The severity of the judgment is proportional to the depth of the sin and the extent of the oppression. Ultimately, the Bible points forward to a time when God's perfect love and justice will fully prevail, and such horrors will cease forever under His righteous reign in the new heavens and new earth (Revelation 21:4).

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

While Isaiah 13:16 graphically portrays the terrifying judgment of an earthly empire, its underlying themes of divine justice and the ultimate downfall of wickedness find their ultimate fulfillment and profound transformation in Jesus Christ. The concept of divine judgment, so terrifyingly depicted here, is perfectly executed and absorbed in Christ's atoning work on the cross. There, Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, bore the full weight of God's wrath and judgment for humanity's sin, taking upon Himself the very consequences that humanity deserved (2 Corinthians 5:21). This unparalleled act of substitutionary atonement offers a path to escape the judgment described in passages like Isaiah 13, not through human merit or strength, but through humble faith in Him (Romans 5:9). Furthermore, the ultimate downfall of all oppressive powers, foreshadowed in Babylon's collapse, is fully realized in Christ's decisive victory over sin, death, and the spiritual forces of evil (Colossians 2:15). His first coming inaugurated the kingdom of God, a realm of justice, peace, and righteousness, and His glorious second coming will bring about the complete and final eradication of all evil, oppression, and suffering, establishing a new heavens and new earth where righteousness dwells and there will be no more tears or pain (Revelation 21:1-5). Thus, the terrifying judgment on Babylon points forward to the comprehensive and redemptive work of Christ, who both perfectly fulfills God's justice and graciously offers ultimate salvation and eternal hope to all who believe.

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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.
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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 16, 17.) Those who see you will bow down to you, and they will look at you. Is this the man who troubled the earth? who shook kingdoms? who made the world a desert, and destroyed its cities, and did not open the prison to those who were bound? Or as the Seventy translated: did he not release those who were led? Those who see King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, not with the eyes, but with the sight of the heart, falling from heaven to hell, will bow down with humility, which is contrary to pride, and they will look at him saying these things: Is this not the man, or the human, who troubled or stirred up the earth? Testimony of the senses: Whoever said, 'I will be like the Most High, and exalted himself as God,' is proven to be a man, as is stated in the ninth psalm, which is specifically against the devil: 'Arise, O Lord, let not man prevail' (Psalm 9:19). And in the Gospel: 'An enemy has sown weeds among the wheat' (Matthew 13:25). Therefore, we read that it was said to him and his companions: 'I said, You are gods, sons of the Most High, but you shall die like men, and fall like any prince' (Psalm 81:6). And to the same person under the figure of the prince of Tyre it is said: Because your heart is exalted, and you have said: I am God, I dwell in the heart of the sea, whereas you are a man, and not God, and have set your heart as if it were the heart of God (Ezek. 28:2). This man, and this man alone, has troubled the whole earth, namely those who heard with Adam: You are dust, and to dust you shall return (Gen. 3:19), and has shaken kingdoms and kings whose hearts are in the hand of the Lord (Proverbs 21). He struck, he says, but did not overthrow. And hence one of those who had been struck, and yet had not fallen, spoke: But my feet have almost stumbled (Psalm 73:2). And the Apostle speaks to the believers, that they should take up the armor of God, and stand against the wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6). But the house which is founded upon a rock is not shaken by any storm (Matthew 7). It follows: He who established the inhabited world, or according to the Hebrew, all others have translated it as 'desolate.' For by vice and sins the world, which is called Thebel in Hebrew, was made a desert, so that it had no virtue, or was subject to the same vices with which the wilderness is full of nations. He also destroyed the cities of the same world, so that he might make the synagogues of the devil out of the Churches of Christ, and pollute the purity of true faith with heretical filth. But he did not open the prison to his captives, that is, to the world. We were all bound and held captive in prison, to whom the Savior said, 'Come out,' and to those who were in darkness, 'Be revealed.' For he sets free those who are bound; those who are freed by him give thanks, saying, 'You have loosed my bonds' (Ps. CXV, 17; Jer. II, Prov. V). For each person is bound by the cords of their own sins, which cords and bonds the Apostles can loose, imitating their Master who had said to them, 'Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven' (Matthew XV). And the Apostles loose them by the word of God, and the testimonies of the Scriptures, and the exhortation of virtues.
JeromeAD 420
Commentary on Isaiah
(Verse 16.) Their infants will be shattered before their eyes: their houses will be plundered, and their wives violated. This is what David prophesied in the Spirit: O daughter of Babylon, miserable one, blessed is he who will repay you according to what you have done to us. Blessed is he who will seize and shatter your little ones against the rock (Psalm 139:8). There will be such devastation of the city and savagery of the conquerors that not even innocent age will be spared, that the wealth of all homes will be plundered, and marital chastity violated in the presence of their husbands.
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.
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