Every one that is found shall be thrust through,.... With a sword, spear, or lance, and be slain; that is, everyone that is found in the city of Babylon; and so the Targum adds,"and everyone that is found in it shall be slain;''so Kimchi, in the midst of it, or without; in the street, as Jarchi.
The orders of Cyrus were, that those that were found without (in the streets) should be slain; and to proclaim in the Syriac language, that those that were within doors should continue there, but, if they were found without, they should be put to death; which orders were executed, and well agrees with this prophecy:and everyone that is joined [unto them] shall fall by the sword; or "added" unto them; any of other nations that joined them as auxiliaries, see Re 18:4 or "that is gathered"; so the Septuagint, "they that are gathered"; that are gathered together in a body to resist the enemy, and defend themselves.
Some render the word, "every one that is consumed", with age; neither old nor young, as follows, should be spared. The Targum is,"everyone that enters into the fortified cities,''flees there for safety and protection.
Xenophon. Cyropaedia, l. 7. sect.