King James Version

What Does Isaiah 13:14 Mean?

Isaiah 13:14 in the King James Version says “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, an...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Isaiah 13:14 · KJV

Context

12

I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.

13

Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.

14

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.

15

Every one that is found shall be thrust through; and every one that is joined unto them shall fall by the sword.

16

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

Read Isaiah 13 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The image shifts to panicked flight: '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.' The gazelle (roe) flees from hunters; the sheep without a shepherd scatters before predators. Babylon's cosmopolitan population—gathered from many nations through conquest and trade—will fragment and flee homeward. No one will gather them; no one will defend them. Each seeks individual survival, abandoning collective defense. This is total social breakdown: every man for himself. Unity dissolves under judgment.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Babylon's population included peoples from across the ancient Near East—deportees, slaves, merchants, mercenaries. Multi-ethnic empires hold together through power; when that power breaks, they fragment along ethnic/national lines. When Babylon fell to Cyrus in 539 BC, the new regime allowed peoples to return to homelands (see Ezra 1:1-4 regarding Jewish return). What conquest had gathered, judgment scattered. This pattern repeats throughout history: empires unite by force, but crumble into constituent parts when central power fails.

Reflection Questions

  1. What holds your community or nation together—divine purpose or merely human power and self-interest?
  2. How does this verse warn against trusting in human systems and institutions that can quickly dissolve?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וְהָיָה֙1 of 14
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כִּצְבִ֣י2 of 14

“roe”

H6643

a gazelle (as beautiful)

מֻדָּ֔ח3 of 14

“And it shall be as the chased”

H5080

to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to expel, mislead, strike, inflict, etc.)

וּכְצֹ֖אן4 of 14

“and as a sheep”

H6629

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

וְאֵ֣ין5 of 14
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

מְקַבֵּ֑ץ6 of 14

“that no man taketh up”

H6908

to grasp, i.e., collect

וְאִ֥ישׁ7 of 14

“every one”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֶל8 of 14
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

עַמּוֹ֙9 of 14

“to his own people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

יִפְנ֔וּ10 of 14

“turn”

H6437

to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc

וְאִ֥ישׁ11 of 14

“every one”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֶל12 of 14
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אַרְצ֖וֹ13 of 14

“into his own land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

יָנֽוּסוּ׃14 of 14

“and flee”

H5127

to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 13:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 13:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Kings 22:17Jeremiah 50:161 Kings 22:36Jeremiah 51:9Isaiah 17:13Revelation 18:9-10

Places in This Verse

Babylon 1Settlement · Modern: Babylon · 32.54°N, 44.42°E296 verses across 15 books
View all places in Isaiah 13 →

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