Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt:

ISAIAH 13:7KJV
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Isaiah 13:7 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 13:7 mean?

Isaiah 13:7 describes people losing their strength and courage as disaster approaches. The verse presents their reaction as widespread: no one in the scene is pictured as ready to resist or remain confident.

“Hands” picture the ability to act, while the “heart” points to a person’s inner resolve. The word “therefore” connects their collapse to the approaching day of the Lord announced in verse 6.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 13:7

  • “faint” — רָפָה (raphah): This word can mean to become slack or weak. Hands becoming slack picture people losing the ability or will to take action.
  • “heart” — לֵבָב (levav): This word can refer to a person’s inner life, including courage and resolve. The image reaches beyond physical weakness to what people feel inside.
  • “melt” — מָסַס (masas): This word can mean to melt or dissolve. Here it pictures courage giving way under fear.

Why Isaiah 13:7 matters

  • The verse stresses how widely the fear spreads. The phrases “all hands” and “every man’s heart” portray a whole population overcome, rather than a few isolated individuals.
  • The fear belongs to the warning against Babylon. Isaiah 13:1 names Babylon as the subject, and the warning gives the reaction in verse 7 its setting.
  • The images describe a reaction to danger, not a separate disaster. Verse 8 develops the picture with anguish and alarm, showing how deeply the approaching event affects people.

Where else these words appear

“melt” Hebrew H4549 · used in 20 verses

  • Exodus 16:21 And they gathered it every morning, every man according to his eating: and when the sun waxed hot, it melted.
  • Judges 15:14 And when he came unto Lehi, the Philistines shouted against him: and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and the cords that were upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands loosed from off his hands.
  • Psalms 112:10 The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.

“faint” Hebrew H7503 · used in 45 verses

  • Exodus 4:26 So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision.
  • 1 Samuel 15:16 Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the LORD hath said to me this night. And he said unto him, Say on.
  • Psalms 138:8 The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.