Isaiah Chapter 13 · Verse 18

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

וּקְשָׁת֖וֹת Their bows H7198
וּקְשָׁת֖וֹת Their bows
Strong's: H7198
Word #: 1 of 12
a bow, for shooting (hence, figuratively, strength) or the iris
נְעָרִ֣ים the young men H5288
נְעָרִ֣ים the young men
Strong's: H5288
Word #: 2 of 12
(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit
תְּרַטַּ֑שְׁנָה also shall dash H7376
תְּרַטַּ֑שְׁנָה also shall dash
Strong's: H7376
Word #: 3 of 12
to dash down
וּפְרִי on the fruit H6529
וּפְרִי on the fruit
Strong's: H6529
Word #: 4 of 12
fruit (literally or figuratively)
בֶ֙טֶן֙ of the womb H990
בֶ֙טֶן֙ of the womb
Strong's: H990
Word #: 5 of 12
the belly, especially the womb; also the bosom or body of anything
לֹ֣א H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 6 of 12
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יְרַחֵ֔מוּ and they shall have no pity H7355
יְרַחֵ֔מוּ and they shall have no pity
Strong's: H7355
Word #: 7 of 12
to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 8 of 12
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
בָּנִ֖ים children H1121
בָּנִ֖ים children
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 9 of 12
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
לֹֽא H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 10 of 12
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תָח֥וּס shall not spare H2347
תָח֥וּס shall not spare
Strong's: H2347
Word #: 11 of 12
properly, to cover, i.e., (figuratively) to compassionate
עֵינָֽם׃ their eye H5869
עֵינָֽם׃ their eye
Strong's: H5869
Word #: 12 of 12
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

Analysis & Commentary

The brutality continues: '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.' Medo-Persian archers were legendary. The image of bows dashing young men suggests both arrows killing soldiers and perhaps brutal treatment after conquest. The specific mention of no pity on unborn children ('fruit of the womb') or children emphasizes judgment's comprehensiveness—no future generation survives. This is dynastic termination, not just military defeat. The repetition of judgment-on-children language (see v.16) stresses totality: Babylon's line ends.

Historical Context

The Medes and Persians were indeed known for archery—their composite bows were military technology superior to most contemporaries. However, the historical conquest of Babylon (539 BC) was less violent than Isaiah's language suggests—possibly because the language is partially symbolic, emphasizing spiritual/eschatological judgment, or because God's mercy moderated the judgment, or because elements remain unfulfilled until ultimate judgment. The emphasis on children likely relates to dynasty—Belshazzar was the last Babylonian king; the royal line ended. No sons inherited the throne.

Questions for Reflection