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Isaiah 13:8
ESV They will be dismayed: pangs and agony will seize them; they will be in anguish like a woman in labor. They will look aghast at one another; their faces will be aflame.
NIV Terror will seize them, pain and anguish will grip them; they will writhe like a woman in labor. They will look aghast at each other, their faces aflame.
NASB They will be terrified, Pains and anguish will take hold of them; They will writhe like a woman in labor, They will look at one another in astonishment, Their faces aflame.
CSB They will be horrified; pain and agony will seize them; they will be in anguish like a woman in labor. They will look at each other, their faces flushed with fear.
NLT and people are terrified. Pangs of anguish grip them, like those of a woman in labor. They look helplessly at one another, their faces aflame with fear.
KJV And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames.

What does Isaiah 13:8 mean?

Isaiah is pronouncing a prophecy from the Lord against Babylon (Isaiah 13:1). Although it had not yet happened at the time Isaiah was writing, this nation would soon rise to become the dominant power in the world. This is especially true under the rule of King Nebuchadnezzar. Its rulers and people will become proud and arrogant, picturing themselves to be all-powerful in the world. This prophecy describes the moment when the Lord has had enough. He will assemble a massive, multi-nation army to attack Babylon and destroy its land (Isaiah 13:3–5). Isaiah has called it the day of the Lord, the moment when God will wield the armies as His weapons against the city in judgment for their sins (Isaiah 13:6).

Now Isaiah details the response of the people of Babylon. They realize what they had been trusting in to save them, their own power and might, cannot stand against the armies coming for them. The prophet has said their hands will go weak and their hearts will melt.

Scripture describes these people as dismayed. They simply did not imagine this day would ever come. They are seized by pangs and agony. This is perhaps due to regret or trying to figure out where they went wrong. The anticipation of the coming attack brings them anguish. They just keep looking at each other, red-faced, hoping someone will find an answer. No answer will come. Their arrogant trust in themselves has been their undoing.
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