ישעיהו, פרק י״ג, פסוק י״ז

A dramatic shift occurs as the impending disaster turns directly toward the citizens of Babylon, who are destined to face a ruthless enemy whose thirst for destruction cannot be satisfied with wealth. God declares that He is actively awakening and driving the spirit of these attackers to wage war [מצודת ציון, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The chosen instrument of this downfall is the nation of Media. Historically, it was Darius the Mede who conquered Babylon and killed its king, Belshazzar, paving the way for the rule of Cyrus the Persian [רש״י, רד״ק]. Ironically, while the Babylonians had previously employed Median soldiers in their own ranks, this very Medo-Persian army now rises to destroy them [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

The Medes are specifically identified because of their reputation as an exceptionally savage and cruel people [אבן עזרא, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Unlike typical conquering armies driven by the promise of loot and riches, these attackers have a completely different motivation. Their sole purpose is slaughter, total ruin, and revenge for the suffering that the Babylonian kings inflicted upon other nations [רש״י, מלבי״ם].

Because their goal is pure vengeance, the invaders will have no interest in material wealth. The wealthiest citizens of Babylon will find themselves completely unable to buy their survival or offer any ransom to spare their lives [רד״ק, מצודת דוד, שד״ל]. Historical accounts even suggest that Cyrus explicitly told his Median troops that their mission was not about acquiring wealth [שד״ל].

This total disregard for riches is absolute, though the invaders will process the allure of silver and gold slightly differently. Silver will be entirely dismissed as unimportant. Gold, on the other hand, possesses an undeniable value that the attackers will certainly recognize. Yet, even as they acknowledge the absolute worth of the gold, they will still reject it, actively choosing the destruction of human life over any treasure [מלבי״ם]. Valuing an object and desiring it are distinct reactions; in this devastating conquest, the enemy will neither value the silver nor desire the gold [מלבי״ם].