Isaiah 13:18

KJV

[Their] bows also shall dash the young men to pieces; and they shall have no pity on the fruit of the womb; their eye shall not spare children.

KJV (with Strong's)

Their bows {H7198} also shall dash {H7376} the young men {H5288} to pieces {H7376}; and they shall have no pity {H7355} on the fruit {H6529} of the womb {H990}; their eye {H5869} shall not spare {H2347} children {H1121}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Their bows will tear young men to pieces, they will have no pity on the fruit of the womb, their eye will not spare children."

Berean Standard Bible

Their bows will dash young men to pieces; they will have no mercy on the fruit of the womb; they will not look with pity on the children.

American Standard Version

Andtheirbows shall dash the young men in pieces; and they shall have no pity on the fruit of the womb; their eye shall not spare children.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 13:18 delivers a chilling prophecy detailing the ruthless brutality of the Medes, whom God would raise as instruments of His judgment against Babylon. This verse vividly portrays an unsparing assault where the invading forces would show no mercy, indiscriminately slaughtering young men and even infants, underscoring the severity of divine wrath and the horrific consequences of unchecked pride and oppression.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 13 opens with a "burden" or oracle concerning Babylon, signaling a major prophetic declaration against this powerful empire. The preceding verses (Isaiah 13:1-16) describe the gathering of a formidable army, characterized by divine appointment and irresistible might, destined to execute God's wrath. The imagery is cosmic, depicting the heavens trembling and the earth shaking, emphasizing the "Day of the Lord" as a time of unparalleled destruction and desolation. Verse 17 explicitly identifies the Medes as the agents of this judgment, highlighting their indifference to silver and gold, suggesting their primary motivation is pure destruction rather than plunder. Verse 18 then intensifies this description, focusing on the specific, unmerciful tactics of warfare that would be employed, leaving no doubt about the totality of Babylon's impending doom. This verse serves as a grim fulfillment of the preceding threats, detailing the human cost of divine judgment.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy against Babylon in Isaiah 13 anticipates a future event from Isaiah's perspective (8th century BCE). While Babylon would later rise to prominence and conquer Judah, the Medes were a rising power to the northeast. Historically, the Medes, in alliance with the Persians, would eventually conquer Babylon in 539 BCE under Cyrus the Great. Ancient Near Eastern warfare was notoriously brutal, often involving the wholesale slaughter of defeated populations, including women and children, to eliminate future threats and instill terror. The imagery in Isaiah 13:18 reflects these grim realities, portraying a conquest devoid of any conventional ethical restraints. The "fruit of the womb" and "children" represent the most vulnerable members of society, whose destruction signifies the absolute and comprehensive nature of the judgment, leaving no hope for future generations to rebuild.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Isaiah and biblical prophecy. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment**, demonstrating God's absolute control over nations and history. Even pagan empires like Babylon, despite their apparent might, are ultimately accountable to God and can be used as tools for His righteous purposes, as seen in [Isaiah 10:5-7](/isaiah/10-5 "Isaiah 10:5-7 - Assyria as God's Rod"). The passage also highlights the **Horrific Nature of Sin's Consequences**, particularly the pride and oppression that characterized Babylon, which would inevitably lead to such devastating judgment. This serves as a stark warning that unrepentant wickedness invites severe divine retribution. Furthermore, the explicit description of merciless slaughter underscores the **Brutality of Ancient Warfare** and implicitly contrasts it with God's ultimate desire for justice tempered with mercy, a theme often found in the prophetic literature (e.g., [Micah 6:8](/micah/6-8 "Micah 6:8 - What the Lord Requires")). The prophecy reinforces the concept of the "Day of the Lord" as a period of profound upheaval and reckoning, not just for Israel but for all nations, as described in [Zephaniah 1:14-18](/zephaniah/1-14 "Zephaniah 1:14-18 - The Great Day of the Lord").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **dash (Hebrew, _râṭâsh'_):** This verb (H7376) means "to dash down" or "to dash in pieces." It conveys a sense of violent shattering and complete destruction. In this context, it emphasizes the merciless and utterly destructive force of the invading army, indicating a deliberate and brutal act of crushing opposition, leaving nothing intact. The repetition implied by the KJV "dash...to pieces" reinforces the totality of the destruction.
* **spare (Hebrew, _chûwç'_):** Derived from a primitive root (H2347) meaning "to cover," this word figuratively means "to compassionate," "to pity," or "to regard." The negation "shall not spare" highlights the absolute lack of mercy. It signifies an absence of any protective instinct or human feeling towards the vulnerable, emphasizing the invaders' cold and unfeeling execution of judgment, directly contrasting with divine compassion.
* **children (Hebrew, _bên'_):** This noun (H1121) broadly refers to a "son" or "child," encompassing various ages from infancy to youth, and can even denote figurative relationships. In this verse, combined with "fruit of the womb," it specifically refers to infants and young children. The inclusion of "children" underscores the extreme and indiscriminate nature of the violence, targeting the most innocent and defenseless, signifying a complete eradication of future generations and utterly devastating the societal fabric.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Their bows also shall dash the young men to pieces;":** This clause immediately establishes the primary weapon and the initial target of the Medes' assault. The "bows" represent not just the weapon itself but the archers and their military might. "Dash...to pieces" vividly describes the violent impact and dismemberment, indicating a brutal and effective method of warfare. "Young men" refers to the prime fighting force, suggesting that the defenders of Babylon would be utterly overwhelmed and annihilated, their strength rendered useless.
* **"and they shall have no pity on the fruit of the womb;":** This phrase intensifies the depiction of cruelty, moving beyond combatants to the most vulnerable. "They shall have no pity" directly states the absence of compassion, a stark moral indictment. "Fruit of the womb" is a common biblical idiom for unborn or newly born infants, emphasizing the extreme and indiscriminate nature of the violence that would extend even to those who have just entered the world, signifying the complete eradication of future generations.
* **"their eye shall not spare children.":** This final clause reiterates and reinforces the previous statement, broadening the scope to include all "children" (from infants to adolescents). The "eye" here represents the invaders' perception, their gaze, implying a deliberate and conscious decision to show no mercy. This repetition underscores the absolute and comprehensive nature of the Medes' ruthlessness, leaving no segment of the population untouched by their destructive fury.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 13:18 is rich in **Imagery**, painting a stark and horrifying picture of war. The "bows...dash[ing] the young men to pieces" evokes a visceral sense of violent destruction, while "no pity on the fruit of the womb" and "eye shall not spare children" create a chilling mental image of indiscriminate slaughter of the most vulnerable. This vivid imagery serves to emphasize the utter devastation awaiting Babylon. The passage also employs **Hyperbole** to convey the extreme nature of the judgment. While ancient warfare was indeed brutal, the language of "dashing to pieces" and the explicit mention of sparing no infants or children amplifies the sense of complete annihilation, ensuring the audience grasps the totality of God's wrath. Furthermore, the passage functions as a **Prophetic Oracle**, a divine declaration of future events, delivered with authoritative and declarative language that leaves no room for doubt about its fulfillment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 13:18 serves as a profound theological statement on divine justice and the consequences of national sin. It demonstrates that God, as the sovereign Lord of history, holds all nations accountable for their actions, even using seemingly ungodly nations as instruments of His righteous judgment. The horrific brutality described is not condoned by God, but rather reflects the natural outworking of unchecked human depravity and the severity of the judgment required to dismantle a kingdom built on oppression and pride. This passage underscores that God's justice is comprehensive, reaching every aspect of a society that has defied Him, ultimately leading to desolation for those who refuse to repent. It stands as a somber reminder that while God is merciful, His justice is also absolute and inescapable for those who persist in wickedness.

* [Jeremiah 50:29](/jeremiah/50-29 "Jeremiah 50:29 - Babylon's Judgment")
* [Psalm 137:8-9](/psalm/137-8 "Psalm 137:8-9 - Vengeance on Babylon")
* [Nahum 3:10](/nahum/3-10 "Nahum 3:10 - Nineveh's Desolation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 13:18, while disturbing in its raw depiction of violence, compels us to reflect deeply on the gravity of sin and the unwavering nature of divine justice. It reminds us that no power, no empire, however mighty or seemingly secure, can escape God's ultimate reckoning. For believers, this passage offers assurance that God sees and will ultimately address all forms of oppression and injustice in the world. It should also provoke a profound sense of gratitude for God's mercy and grace, which offers a path to reconciliation and escape from such judgment. Furthermore, the chilling lack of pity described in the verse serves as a stark contrast to the compassion and love that should characterize God's people. It calls us to actively cultivate empathy, advocate for the vulnerable, and resist any form of dehumanization or violence in our own lives and communities, striving to embody the mercy that God desires for all humanity.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the graphic imagery of Isaiah 13:18 challenge or deepen your understanding of God's justice and sovereignty?**
* **In what ways does this prophecy against Babylon serve as a warning for nations and individuals today?**
* **How should the "lack of pity" described in this verse prompt believers to cultivate greater compassion and advocate for the vulnerable in their own contexts?**

### FAQ
**Why does God allow such brutal judgment, especially against children?**

Answer: This passage describes the consequences of persistent national sin and rebellion against God, specifically Babylon's oppressive pride and cruelty. The brutality is not a reflection of God's ideal will or character, but rather a description of the horrific realities of ancient warfare, which God permits as a means of judgment. It underscores the severity of the sin that provokes such a comprehensive downfall and the depths of human depravity when unchecked. God uses human agents (the Medes) to execute His judgment, and their actions reflect the harshness of their own culture, not necessarily God's direct command for such specific atrocities. Ultimately, it highlights that the wages of sin are severe, and God's justice will prevail, even if the means are terrifying to human eyes. This judgment serves as a powerful warning against arrogance and oppression, demonstrating that God holds all nations accountable, as seen in [Psalm 9:17](/psalm/9-17 "Psalm 9:17 - The Wicked Turn to Sheol").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Isaiah 13:18 portrays a terrifying judgment executed by human agents, its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment lies not in the replication of such brutality, but in the profound theological implications of God's justice and the ultimate triumph over sin and death through Jesus Christ. The judgment against Babylon foreshadows the final, comprehensive judgment of all unrighteousness, a judgment that Christ himself will execute as the righteous Judge of all the earth, as described in [John 5:27](/john/5-27 "John 5:27 - Jesus as Judge"). However, the greater truth is that Christ, the Lamb of God, willingly bore the full weight of God's righteous wrath against sin on the cross, becoming the ultimate sacrifice so that those who believe might be spared from eternal judgment (e.g., [Romans 3:25](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25 - Propitiation Through Faith")). The "dashing to pieces" of the young men and the lack of pity for the "fruit of the womb" in Isaiah 13:18 highlights the devastating effects of sin and the need for a Savior who brings mercy and redemption. Christ, the Prince of Peace (as foretold in [Isaiah 9:6](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - The Prince of Peace")), establishes a kingdom where such brutality is overcome, where justice is tempered with mercy, and where the vulnerable are protected, culminating in a new heaven and new earth where there will be no more sorrow or death ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Death or Mourning")). Thus, the terrifying judgment on Babylon ultimately points to the profound mercy offered in Christ, who delivers us from the wrath to come.

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

2 Kings 8:12

And Hazael said, Why weepeth my lord? And he answered, Because I know the evil that thou wilt do unto the children of Israel: their strong holds wilt thou set on fire, and their young men wilt thou slay with the sword, and wilt dash their children, and rip up their women with child.

2 Chronicles 36:17

Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age: he gave [them] all into his hand.

Isaiah 13:16

Their children also shall be dashed to pieces before their eyes; their houses shall be spoiled, and their wives ravished.

Ezekiel 9:10

And as for me also, mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity, [but] I will recompense their way upon their head.

Ezekiel 9:5

¶ And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity:

Ezekiel 9:6

Slay utterly old [and] young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom [is] the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which [were] before the house.

Hosea 13:16

Samaria shall become desolate; for she hath rebelled against her God: they shall fall by the sword: their infants shall be dashed in pieces, and their women with child shall be ripped up.