The Restoration of Jacob
Isa 14:1 The LORD will have compassion on Jacob; once again he will choose Israel and will settle them in their own land. Foreigners will join them and unite with the descendants of Jacob.
Isa 14:2 Nations will take them and bring them to their own place. And Israel will take possession of the nations and make them male and female servants in the LORD’s land. They will make captives of their captors and rule over their oppressors.
Israel’s Remnant Taunts Babylon
Isa 14:3 On the day the LORD gives you relief from your suffering and turmoil and from the harsh labor forced on you,
Isa 14:4 you will take up this taunt against the king of Babylon: How the oppressor has come to an end! How his fury has ended!
Isa 14:5 The LORD has broken the rod of the wicked, the scepter of the rulers,
Isa 14:6 which in anger struck down peoples with unceasing blows, and in fury subdued nations with relentless aggression.
Isa 14:7 All the lands are at rest and at peace; they break into singing.
Isa 14:8 Even the junipers and the cedars of Lebanon gloat over you and say, “Now that you have been laid low, no one comes to cut us down.”
Isa 14:9 The realm of the dead below is all astir to meet you at your coming; it rouses the spirits of the departed to greet you— all those who were leaders in the world; it makes them rise from their thrones— all those who were kings over the nations.
Isa 14:10 They will all respond, they will say to you, “You also have become weak, as we are; you have become like us.”
Isa 14:11 All your pomp has been brought down to the grave, along with the noise of your harps; maggots are spread out beneath you and worms cover you.
Isa 14:12 How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!
Isa 14:13 You said in your heart, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon.
Isa 14:14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.”
Isa 14:15 But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit.
Isa 14:16 Those who see you stare at you, they ponder your fate: “Is this the man who shook the earth and made kingdoms tremble,
Isa 14:17 the man who made the world a wilderness, who overthrew its cities and would not let his captives go home?”
Isa 14:18 All the kings of the nations lie in state, each in his own tomb.
Isa 14:19 But you are cast out of your tomb like a rejected branch; you are covered with the slain, with those pierced by the sword, those who descend to the stones of the pit. Like a corpse trampled underfoot,
Isa 14:20 you will not join them in burial, for you have destroyed your land and killed your people. Let the offspring of the wicked never be mentioned again.
Isa 14:21 Prepare a place to slaughter his children for the sins of their ancestors; they are not to rise to inherit the land and cover the earth with their cities.
Isa 14:22 “I will rise up against them,” declares the LORD Almighty. “I will wipe out Babylon’s name and survivors, her offspring and descendants,” declares the LORD.
Isa 14:23 “I will turn her into a place for owls and into swampland; I will sweep her with the broom of destruction,” declares the LORD Almighty.
An Oracle Concerning Assyria
Isa 14:24 The LORD Almighty has sworn, “Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen.
Isa 14:25 I will crush the Assyrian in my land; on my mountains I will trample him down. His yoke will be taken from my people, and his burden removed from their shoulders.”
Isa 14:26 This is the plan determined for the whole world; this is the hand stretched out over all nations.
Isa 14:27 For the LORD Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?
An Oracle Concerning Philistia
Isa 14:28 This prophecy came in the year King Ahaz died:
Isa 14:29 Do not rejoice, all you Philistines, that the rod that struck you is broken; from the root of that snake will spring up a viper, its fruit will be a darting, venomous serpent.
Isa 14:30 The poorest of the poor will find pasture, and the needy will lie down in safety. But your root I will destroy by famine; it will slay your survivors.
Isa 14:31 Wail, you gate! Howl, you city! Melt away, all you Philistines! A cloud of smoke comes from the north, and there is not a straggler in its ranks.
Isa 14:32 What answer shall be given to the envoys of that nation? “The LORD has established Zion, and in her his afflicted people will find refuge.”
1 God’s merciful restoration of Israel. 4 Their triumphant insultation over Babel. 24 God’s purpose against Assyria. 29 Palestina is threatened.
The Restoration of Jacob
Isa 14:1 The LORD will have compassion on Jacob; once again he will choose Israel and will settle them in their own land. Foreigners will join them and unite with the descendants of Jacob.
Compassion on Jacob.
This chapter is a continuation of the prophecy of ch. 13 concerning the fall of Babylon (ch. 13:1; cf. ch. 14:28). The message came to Isaiah in the year 716/715.
The fall of Babylon to the Medes and Persians would result in the release and restoration of the people of Israel whom the Babylonians had taken captive. Soon after capturing Babylon, Cyrus issued his memorable decree authorizing the Jews to return to their homeland and to rebuild the Temple (2 Chron. 36:22, 23; Ezra 1:1–3).
Isaiah here introduces one of his favourite themes—the great ingathering of men from all nations to the worship and service of the true God. To this subject he reverts again and again (chs. 44:5; 54:2, 3; 55:5; 56:4–8; 60:1–5; etc.). This prophecy was partially fulfilled in OT times, and more fully in the great ingathering of Gentiles in apostolic times (Acts 10:1, 2, 48; 11:18; 13:46–48; etc.). It is being fulfilled today as men of all nations come to the saving knowledge of the gospel.
Rule over their oppressors. Had the Jews diligently served the Lord upon their return from Babylon, it was His plan that they would finally rule the earth. Eventually, all men would have recognized one another as brethren. All would have worshiped the Lord and rejoiced in His salvation. Isa 14:2
Rule over their oppressors. Had the Jews diligently served the Lord upon their return from Babylon, it was His plan that they would finally rule the earth. Eventually, all men would have recognized one another as brethren. All would have worshiped the Lord and rejoiced in His salvation.
Israel, however, failed again, after the Captivity, to measure up to God’s ideal for them, and never realized the glorious privilege that might have been theirs. In the final triumph of the saints at the close of time, however, God’s people of all ages will rule over their enemies (Dan. 7:14, 18, 27).
Israel’s Remnant Taunts Babylon
Isa 14:3 On the day the LORD gives you relief from your suffering and turmoil and from the harsh labor forced on you,
As the Israelites had been slaves in Egypt, so they would be captives in Babylon. And as God gave them rest from servitude in Egypt, so He would grant them rest from their forced sojourn in Babylon. The Promised Land was to have been this place of rest.
But Israel, because of their sins, again failed to enter into the promised rest. This promise is therefore reserved for spiritual Israel, who are to be gathered from among all nations and delivered from the final attempt of Babylon to enslave the world. The people of God will eventually find “rest” in the heavenly Canaan, the earth made new.
Isa 14:4 you will take up this taunt against the king of Babylon: How the oppressor has come to an end! How his fury has ended!
For the application of this section to literal Babylon, compare Isa. 13:1 with ch. 14:28 (see on chs. 13:4; 14:1). Upon deliverance from captivity (ch. 14:1–3) God’s people would take up this taunt against their former oppressor. For the application to mystical Babylon see on ch. 13:4.
The king of Babylon. The one primarily responsible for Babylonian policy. For “the king of Babylon” as a figurative designation for Lucifer, see on v. 12.
Isa 14:5 The LORD has broken the rod of the wicked, the scepter of the rulers,
The rod and the scepter are symbols of power. The Lord would utterly break the power of Babylon (see on ch. 13:19–22).
Isa 14:6 which in anger struck down peoples with unceasing blows, and in fury subdued nations with relentless aggression.
Babylon, which in its wrath smote the nations with “unceasing blows” (RSV; see Jer. 50:23) and which ruled over them in anger, would itself become subject of wrath and would be smitten with blow after blow, from which there would eventually be no recovery.
Isa 14:7 All the lands are at rest and at peace; they break into singing.
Literally, a picture of the world when the king of Babylon has “ceased” (v. 4), and figuratively, when Satan’s rule has come to an end (see on ch. 13:4). Not until then will the earth be “at rest” and “quiet.” The doom of Satan brings gladness and rejoicing to the people of God, for their oppression is then over, and they will inherit the earth made new and reign forever. Figuratively, the whole world, which has for so long groaned under the curse of evil, rejoices as it is delivered from the power of the oppressor.
Isa 14:8 Even the junipers and the cedars of Lebanon gloat over you and say, “Now that you have been laid low, no one comes to cut us down.”
In highly figurative language the “king of Babylon” (v. 4) is compared to a tree (see Dan. 4:11, 22; cf. Judges 9:8–15; Eze. 31:16). The other “trees” of the “forest” rejoice when this pretentious and arrogant “tree” is laid low.
The Assyrian monarchs boasted of cutting down the forests and leaving the country a desolate waste (see Isa. 37:24). The armies of Babylon likewise wrought wide devastation (see Jer. 25:11). There is universal rejoicing when the work of destruction comes to its end. Compare the rejoicing of “apostles and prophets” at the fall of mystical Babylon (Rev. 18:20; cf. Rev. 19:1–6).
Isa 14:9 The realm of the dead below is all astir to meet you at your coming; it rouses the spirits of the departed to greet you— all those who were leaders in the world; it makes them rise from their thrones— all those who were kings over the nations.
She’ol is personified as rising to greet the king of Babylon (see v. 15). Those whom he has slain welcome him who once ruled like a tyrant on earth, sending others to their doom. Now, figuratively, the powers of evil are removed from their “thrones” on earth to descend into the shadows of death (see Rev. 20:10, 14). The same imagery is used by Ezekiel (Eze. 32:18–32). Compare Isa. 24:22; Rev. 6:15, 16; 19:20.
Isa 14:10 They will all respond, they will say to you, “You also have become weak, as we are; you have become like us.”
The king of Babylon, who had slain so many others, would himself be slain. Satan (see on vs. 4, 12), who has led so many others into ruin and death, himself now enters the realm of death (see Rev. 20:10). The author of death must himself taste its bitter fruit.
Isa 14:11 All your pomp has been brought down to the grave, along with the noise of your harps; maggots are spread out beneath you and worms cover you.
All the pomp and ostentation of the evil one vanishes in the coldness and darkness of the grave. The once mighty ruler of Babylon, and of the hosts of evil (see on vs. 4, 12), is utterly humbled in the dust. The folly of arrogance and pride is here derided (see Ps. 2:1–4).
The proud king of Babylon now lies in she’ol upon a bed of maggots, with worms for a coverlet. “The paths of glory lead but to the grave.”
Isa 14:12 “How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations!
Lucifer. Heb. helel, literally, “shining one,” “brilliant one,” from the root halal, which means “to flash forth light,” “to shine,” “to be brilliant.” The name helel, and its equivalent in related languages, was commonly applied to the planet Venus as a morning star because of its unrivalled brilliance.
Venus is the brightest of all the planets, and at maximum brilliance shines more than seven times brighter than Sirius, brightest, of all the fixed stars. When favourably situated, it is easily visible to the naked eye at noonday, and after dark it casts a shadow.
The LXX renders helel as heōsphoros, “morning star,” literally, “bringer of the dawn,” the common Greek designation for Venus when it appeared in the morning sky. Compare the Heb. helel ben–shachar, “Lucifer, son of the morning,” literally, “shining one, son of dawn.”
Cut down. For the war between Christ and Satan, in which Satan was defeated and cast out to earth, see Rev. 12:7–9; see on Eze. 28:16–18. Weaken the nations. Compare vs. 4–6, 9–11.
Isa 14:13 For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north;
The desire for self-exaltation was the cause of the downfall of Lucifer. Before his fall he was the most beautiful and the wisest of all the angels of heaven. He took surpassing pride in the honour God had bestowed upon him, but sought still greater glory for himself.
Mount of the congregation. Heb. har–mo‘ed, “mountain of assembly.” Compare the expression, “mountain of God,” in the parallel passage, Eze. 28:16. Lucifer aspired to “sit [enthroned] also upon the mount of the congregation,” but God would cast him “out of the mountain of God.” The “king of Babylon” was a heathen, and in heathen mythology the gods held their council meetings on a high mountain, where they determined the affairs of earth.
The literal “king of Babylon” (see on Isa. 14:4) would thus presume to usurp the control of the gods—that is, supreme authority—over the affairs of earth. As king of mystical Babylon (see on v. 4) Satan would similarly aspire to control the councils of heaven, that is, to rule the universe of God.
Sides of the north. In Ps. 48:2 Mt. Zion is described as being “on the sides of the north,” that is, to the north of the main part of the city. Heathen mythology often represented the gods as meeting in council on a mountain far to the north. Some think Isaiah made use of this figure in describing the boastful pretensions of Lucifer (v. 12), “king of Babylon” (v. 4). The name Baal-zephon of Ex. 14:2 means literally, “Baal of the north.”
Isa 14:14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.”
Lucifer aspired to be like God in position, power, and glory, but not in character. He desired for himself the homage the angelic host gave to God. Only a created being, he sought honour due alone to the Creator. Instead of seeking to make God supreme in the affections of the angelic host, he sought for himself first place in those affections.
Isa 14:15 But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit.
From the high estate to which he aspired, Satan would be cast down to the lowest depths, to oblivion (see Luke 10:18; Rev. 12:9). Note the series of striking contrasts in Isa. 14:4–19, between exaltation and utter abasement.
Depths of the pit. Literally, “the most remote parts of the cistern.” Here “pit” is synonymous with she’ol, the figurative realm of the dead. This usage of the Heb. bor, “pit,” is common in the OT (see Isa. 24:22; Eze. 31:14, 16; etc.)
Isa 14:16 Those who see you stare at you, they ponder your fate: “Is this the man who shook the earth and made kingdoms tremble,
The figure of vs. 9, 10 is repeated. The “dead,” the “chief ones of the earth,” who preceded Lucifer to “the pit” (v. 15), stare incredibly at him when he descends to join them. It should be remembered that this entire section is highly figurative (see on v. 4). Is this the man? See on v. 10.
Isa 14:17 the man who made the world a wilderness, who overthrew its cities and would not let his captives go home?”
A literal description of Babylonian conquests (see on vs. 4, 6). When God was about to create this world, Lucifer, the “king” of mystical Babylon (see on v. 4), wanted to be consulted. He thought he could improve upon the handiwork of God, and promised a higher sphere of existence to those who would follow him.
But when he did secure control of this world he succeeded only in transforming it into an accursed, desolate waste. Eventually, all will see that Satan has made of the entire world a vast, bleak wilderness in striking contrast with its surpassing beauty as it came from the hand of God (Gen. 1:31). Desolation and death, not life and joy, are the inevitable results of Satan’s rule.
Isa 14:17 the man who made the world a wilderness, who overthrew its cities and would not let his captives go home?”
The literal “king of Babylon” (see on v. 4) held his captive peoples in utter subjection. Compare the attitude of the king of Egypt (Ex. 5:2). Now the king of Babylon suffers the same fate he once inflicted upon others. Similarly, Lucifer, king of mystical Babylon, defiantly refuses to release the captives he holds in the prison house of death (Jude 9).
Isa 14:18 All the kings of the nations lie in state, each in his own tomb.
That is, his tomb (see on v. 19). During the 1000 years the wicked will be in their graves, each “in his own house” (see ch. 24:22).
Isa 14:19 But you are cast out of your tomb like a rejected branch; you are covered with the slain, with those pierced by the sword, those who descend to the stones of the pit. Like a corpse trampled underfoot,
Because of the contempt in which the “king of Babylon” (see on v. 4) was held he would be denied a respectable burial (see 2 Chron. 24:25). During the 1000 years Satan, king of mystical Babylon, experiences a living death. About him are all the wicked dead, but he himself fails to find the peace of death.
For him there is no relief from misery and remorse, no release from the horror he has brought upon the earth. He is, as it were, a living corpse for which a common grave would be too honourable an abode. Compare Isa. 14:9–11.
Isa 14:20 you will not join them in burial, for you have destroyed your land and killed your people. Let the offspring of the wicked never be mentioned again.
When man sinned, Satan became the prince of the world and the ruler of sinful men, but in these thousands of years he has succeeded only in devastating this world and slaying its people. Instead of attaining the honour and glory he so eagerly sought, he has made himself the subject of utter disgrace and shame.
Isa 14:21 Prepare a place to slaughter his children for the sins of their ancestors; they are not to rise to inherit the land and cover the earth with their cities.
Prepare a place of slaughter. That is, for the “children” of the “king of Babylon” (see on v. 4). Compare Joel 3:9–17. Death and destruction are, similarly, to be the final fate of all the “children” of iniquity. Eventually Satan himself and all his evil host will be devoured by flames and reduced to ashes (see Eze. 28:16–18; Mal. 4:1, 3; Rev. 20:9, 10).
Isa 14:22 “I will rise up against them,” declares the LORD Almighty. “I will wipe out Babylon’s name and survivors, her offspring and descendants,” declares the LORD.
Both the “king of Babylon” (see on v. 4) and Satan, the “king” of mystical Babylon, exalted themselves (see Dan. 4:30, 37; Isa. 14:13). The name Babylon means “gate of God” (see on Gen. 10:10; 11:9), but it will prove to be the gate of hell.
Instead of being a thing of glory literal Babylon will become a thing of shame. Ignominy and reproach, rather than glory and honour, will be its lot. Name and remnant, kith and kin, son and grandson, progeny and posterity, all will be cut off from the once famous city. Not one inhabitant will remain to pass on its name. So also will it be in the end of time with spiritual Babylon (see Rev. 18:4, 21–23).
Son, and nephew. Literally, “posterity and progeny.”
Isa 14:23 “I will turn her into a place for owls and into swampland; I will sweep her with the broom of destruction,” declares the LORD Almighty.
The proud city is compared to offal and filth, which must be swept away. Babylon has defiled the earth, and it has no right to remain where it will continue to offend man and God. The world will be cleaner after this foul rubbish has been swept away. With these words closes “the burden of Babylon.”
An Oracle Concerning Assyria
Isa 14:24 The LORD Almighty has sworn, “Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen.
The long message against Babylon is followed by a short pronouncement against Assyria (vs. 24–27). Assyria was accustomed to having its own way. By the might of her armies, she believed that she could force her will upon all the world. God, however, would teach her that it is His will, not hers, that controls the earth. No purpose contrary to His will can prevail.
Isa 14:25 I will crush the Assyrian in my land; on my mountains I will trample him down. His yoke will be taken from my people, and his burden removed from their shoulders.”
These words refer to the time when Sennacherib invaded Judea and dispatched part of his army to besiege Jerusalem. For a time his yoke would be heavy upon the land, but the Lord would eventually break that yoke and grant deliverance to His people.
Isa 14:26 This is the plan determined for the whole world; this is the hand stretched out over all nations.
When Isaiah caught a vision of the greatness of God, he also became aware of the insignificance of man. At that time the whole world stood in awe of Assyrian might. But Isaiah saw the Lord as One who had “measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span,” before whom the “nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance” (ch. 40:12, 15).
Only the man who is acquainted with God has a clear understanding of the affairs of earth. All the “nations before him are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity” (v. 17). To a man who saw God seated upon His eternal throne, Assyria would bring no dark forebodings or fear. In its time of trial, when the heel of Assyria seemed about to crus
Isa 14:27 For the LORD Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?
Isaiah saw the hand of God stretched out in judgment against Assyria and the other nations of his time, and knew there was no power in heaven or earth that could turn it back. When God purposes to do something His will shall be accomplished, regardless of the will of man (see Num. 23:19; Job 9:12; Isa. 43:13; Dan. 4:32, 35). These words conclude the message against Assyria.
An Oracle Concerning Philistia
Isa 14:28 This prophecy came in the year King Ahaz died:
Herewith begins another short prophecy—against Philistia (vs. 28–32). Ahaz died about 715 b.c., and was succeeded by his son Hezekiah as sole ruler.
Isa 14:29 Do not rejoice, all you Philistines, that the rod that struck you is broken; from the root of that snake will spring up a viper, its fruit will be a darting, venomous serpent.
From a common serpent would spring forth an even more evil and venomous reptile, and from him, in turn, would spring forth a fiery flying serpent. It was as if the wind would give rise to the whirlwind, or the jackal give birth to a dragon.
Isa 14:30 The poorest of the poor will find pasture, and the needy will lie down in safety. But your root I will destroy by famine; it will slay your survivors.
Interwoven with the prophecy of the judgment against Philistia is a promise of prosperity for the poor and unfortunate of Judah. This was to be the work of Christ, the ideal Son of Judah’s king (see Ps. 72:2–4). The “first-born” of the poor are those who inherit a double portion, not of wealth, but of poverty.
Out of the root Judah would come forth a King who would save, but the root of Judah’s adversary, here mentioned, would be destroyed by famine. Judah might indeed be smitten by her adversaries, but there would be a remnant who would return and be saved (ch. 10:20, 21; see on ch. 7:3). However, the remnant of the enemies of Judah would perish.
Isa 14:31 Wail, you gate! Howl, you city! Melt away, all you Philistines! A cloud of smoke comes from the north, and there is not a straggler in its ranks.
The prophet looked forward to a time when Philistia (see on v. 29) would be no more. The entire nation would be destroyed. As a smoke coming out of the north, some judgment would fall upon Philistia.
Babylonian invaders approached Palestine from the north to bring judgments upon the land (Jer. 1:14; 4:6; 6:1, 22; Eze. 1:4) Compare Jer. 47:2, where judgment from the north is again foretold against Philistia, a century later.
A cloud of smoke. Probably the smoke of burning towns and villages set afire by an advancing army.
Not a straggler in its ranks. The enemy would descend together as a unit, without stragglers, and as one man they would fall upon their victim, Philistia.
Isa 14:32 What answer shall be given to the envoys of that nation? “The LORD has established Zion, and in her his afflicted people will find refuge.” Envoys of that nation. Perhaps a royal deputation sent to inquire of the prophet, who now gives his answer. Having delivered his messages of doom against Assyria, Babylon, and Philistia, the natural question would be concerning the fate of Judah. The answer is quickly given, “The Lord hath founded Zion,” and Zion therefore has nothing to fear.