Isaiah 13:20Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

However, the Midianites, as he states, will rise above material gain, driven instead to vanquish the pride of the Babylonians, who have long boasted of their prowess in archery and placed great importance on their victories. Yet, they will find themselves at a disadvantage compared to their foes. After achieving conquest, their cruelty will know no bounds, as they will show no compassion towards the vulnerable and will remain unmoved by the heartbreaking plight of children. Babylon, renowned for its glory from the ruler of the Chaldeans, will fall into a state of desolation, akin to the ruins of Sodom and Gomorrah, becoming uninhabited and so forsaken that it will be avoided by neighboring settlers and distant nations alike. Even the shepherds of Arabia will refuse to pasture their flocks there, for it will be rendered completely desolate. It is important to recognize that he refers to the Arabs as the Saracen peoples, who extend into the region of Assyria and inhabit the inner desert; they occupy nearby areas and, alongside the Saracens of Arabia, likely traverse the desolate Assyrian lands.

Those who plunder and ravage cities and villages will not find entry there, having no expectation of finding any inhabitants or the necessities of life. The Lord lays waste to this Babylon, whether it refers to a city or a soul thrown into chaos, transforming it into a habitat for fierce demons. Once it is no longer the abode of the Lord, it must become a refuge for wicked spirits. The shepherd does not linger here, for it is not in the nature of a good shepherd to pause for rest while his entrusted flock is scattered.

He indicates that the dwelling places will be overrun with dragons, as stated, and as Aquila translated, typhons, while Symmachus retained the original Hebrew word, conveying sounds or noise. The reference to shaggy beings implies either nightmares or satyrs, possibly forest dwellers known as Fauns, or various forms of demons. In a similar manner, the owls are depicted using a term that closely aligns with the Hebrew word, while only one translation refers to them as onokentaurs. Sirens are referred to as thennim, which we interpret as either demons or some monstrous beings, large dragons with crests upon their heads that soar. All these images suggest utter desolation—such that in this once-great city, the overwhelming presence of demons and wild beasts will deter any shepherd, representing a keeper of the wilderness, from entering. From a brother Elamite, who has journeyed from those regions and now lives as a monastic in Jerusalem, we learned that in Babylon, royal hunts occur and that a multitude of animals is maintained within its walls.