Isaiah 13:17Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Yet, in this regard, they will find themselves outmatched by their foes. Once victorious, their cruelty will know no bounds—they will exhibit a complete lack of compassion, offering no tears for the suffering of children. Babylon, once renowned through the might of its Chaldean king, will be reduced to desolation, resembling the utter ruin of Sodom and Gomorrah, becoming uninhabitable to the point that it will be avoided by both nearby residents and distant nations. Even the shepherds of Arabia will forsake its pastures, for it will lie completely desolate. It is important to note that the Arabs referred to as the Saracen peoples extend into Assyria's territory, living in the inland deserts; they inhabit the neighboring region alongside the Arabian Saracens, possibly roaming through the Assyrian wastelands.

In battle, they do not occupy themselves with amassing wealth from the fallen nor do they squander time on plunder, viewing it as beneath them to take from those they have captured. Instead, they will decimate battalions of your young warriors, exhibiting no compassion or mercy toward even the smallest of infants. The term Midian signifies abundance. Thus, He who is sufficient for all and can repay according to deeds will incite the Midianites. Alternatively, since the progenitor of Midian is Madai, and his name signifies measurement, it implies that the Midianites will be employed to punish those who have lived without measure. Consequently, according to the standard with which each of us measures—whether through acts of righteousness or transgressions—we shall receive either our due rewards or consequences.

The Scriptures declare that the Lord will summon the Midians against them, men who will not crave wealth or treasure. The truth hidden from many is that these formidable giants symbolize not celestial beings or demons, but the people of Midian, whose king Darius was the first to bring ruin to Babylon after slaying Belshazzar, the grandson of Nebuchadnezzar, who was the offspring of Evilmerodach (Daniel 5). It is noted that the ferocity of the Midians and Persians is such that their relentless thirst for violence will render them indifferent to riches, dismissing the allure of gold and silver, valuing none of the treasures offered to them.

Indeed, they will fill the air with arrows aimed at infants, showing no mercy for the unborn, without compassion for the innocent. Infants will meet their demise with wounds as grave as their bodies; the abdomens of expectant mothers will be brutally opened, and the newborns ruthlessly taken from within them, while the fierce conquerors will slaughter the children clinging to nursing mothers.

The Scripture emphasizes that the Lord will rally the Midians against them, for they will not seek after silver or gold. As recorded in Genesis (10), Madai, the progenitor of the Midians, signifies 'measure', indicative of might and strength. Thus, against the Babylonians, whose thoughts are clouded, God evokes ministers of might for correction, ensuring that everyone receives just recompense for their actions. According to the measure they have used, it shall be measured to them. With the overflow they dispense, it will be poured back into their laps (Luke 6:38). They will neither covet silver nor gold, shunning both the allure of eloquence and the charm of worldly intelligence that once won them applause, as they administer punishment to the traitorous and remain unyielding toward infants and the unborn, magnifying their misery.

Oh, if we too could be stirred by the Lord, if we could be empowered to forsake silver and gold—those worldly accolades of eloquence and wisdom—instead choosing to vanquish the offspring of heretics and those ensnared by spiritual deceit! What if, with a relentless spirit, we would eliminate those who consume the milk of falsehood, perishing through merciful cruelty? What if we could show no pity for any tender age and be graced with the blessedness articulated: “Blessed is he who takes your infants and dashes them against the rocks” (Psalm 136:9)!