The extent to which the mighty Babylon is totally overwhelmed by the invasion is made clear as the warriors of Babylon have ceased fighting; they remain in their strongholds; their strength has failed; they have become women.
Babylon’s army did not even manage to make a stand, they simply capitulated in fear and the city burns. Babylon’s well-known messenger system now brings the message of defeat to the king as one runner runs to meet another, and one messenger to meet another.
1 The message includes the news that the fords have been seized and marshes are burned with fire.
Babylon’s vast network of waterways all fed by the Euphrates and Tigris Rivera, and such an important part of her defense and prosperity, have all been taken.
30 The warriors of Babylon have ceased fighting; they remain in their strongholds; their strength has failed; they have become women; her dwellings are on fire; her bars are broken.