1 For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob.
2 And the people shall take them, and bring them to their place: and the house of Israel shall possess them in the land of the LORD for servants and handmaids: and they shall take them captives, whose captives they were; and they shall rule over their oppressors.
3 And it shall come to pass in the day that the LORD shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve,
4 That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased!
5 The LORD hath broken the staff of the wicked, [and] the sceptre of the rulers.
6 He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, [and] none hindereth.
7 The whole earth is at rest, [and] is quiet: they break forth into singing.
8 Yea, the fir trees rejoice at thee, [and] the cedars of Lebanon, [saying], Since thou art laid down, no feller is come up against us.
9 Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet [thee] at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, [even] all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations.
10 All they shall speak and say unto thee, Art thou also become weak as we? art thou become like unto us?
11 Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, [and] the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee.
12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! [how] art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
16 They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, [and] consider thee, [saying, Is] this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;
17 [That] made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; [that] opened not the house of his prisoners?
18 All the kings of the nations, [even] all of them, lie in glory, every one in his own house.
19 But thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch, [and as] the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, that go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcase trodden under feet.
20 Thou shalt not be joined with them in burial, because thou hast destroyed thy land, [and] slain thy people: the seed of evildoers shall never be renowned.
21 Prepare slaughter for his children for the iniquity of their fathers; that they do not rise, nor possess the land, nor fill the face of the world with cities.
22 For I will rise up against them, saith the LORD of hosts, and cut off from Babylon the name, and remnant, and son, and nephew, saith the LORD.
23 I will also make it a possession for the bittern, and pools of water: and I will sweep it with the besom of destruction, saith the LORD of hosts.
24 The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, [so] shall it stand:
25 That I will break the Assyrian in my land, and upon my mountains tread him under foot: then shall his yoke depart from off them, and his burden depart from off their shoulders.
26 This [is] the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth: and this [is] the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations.
27 For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul [it]? and his hand [is] stretched out, and who shall turn it back?
28 In the year that king Ahaz died was this burden.
29 Rejoice not thou, whole Palestina, because the rod of him that smote thee is broken: for out of the serpent’s root shall come forth a cockatrice, and his fruit [shall be] a fiery flying serpent.
30 And the firstborn of the poor shall feed, and the needy shall lie down in safety: and I will kill thy root with famine, and he shall slay thy remnant.
31 Howl, O gate; cry, O city; thou, whole Palestina, [art] dissolved: for there shall come from the north a smoke, and none [shall be] alone in his appointed times.
32 What shall [one] then answer the messengers of the nation? That the LORD hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it.
Overview of Isaiah Chapter 14
Isaiah Chapter 14 is a significant passage in the Book of Isaiah, featuring themes of judgment, restoration, and the downfall of oppressive powers. The chapter is often interpreted as a prophecy concerning the fate of Babylon and its king, symbolizing broader themes of pride and divine retribution.
Structure of the Chapter
The chapter can be divided into several distinct sections:
- Verses 1-2: Promise of Restoration
- God’s compassion towards Israel is highlighted.
- Israel will be restored and brought back to their land.
- The nations will assist in their return.
- Verses 3-11: The Taunt Against the King of Babylon
- A song of mockery directed at the king of Babylon.
- Describes the king’s fall from power and the cessation of his tyranny.
- Imagery of the dead rising to mock him.
- Verses 12-15: The Fall of Lucifer
- Describes the pride and ambition of the king, likening him to Lucifer.
- His desire to ascend to heaven and be like God is condemned.
- God’s judgment leads to his ultimate downfall.
- Verses 16-23: The Reaction of the Nations
- The nations are astonished at Babylon’s fall.
- Imagery of desolation and ruin is used to depict the city.
- God’s judgment is emphasized as final and irreversible.
- Verses 24-27: Divine Sovereignty
- Affirms God’s sovereignty over all nations.
- God’s plans cannot be thwarted.
- Assurance of judgment against all who oppose Him.
- Verses 28-32: Prophecy Against Philistia
- Begins with a prophecy concerning the Philistines.
- Describes the impending threat from Assyria.
- Encourages the Philistines not to rejoice too soon.
Thematic Analysis
Isaiah 14 encompasses several key themes that resonate throughout the text:
- Judgment and Justice
The chapter illustrates God’s judgment against pride and oppression, particularly in the context of Babylon’s fall.
- Restoration and Hope
Despite the judgment pronounced, there is a promise of restoration for Israel, emphasizing God’s enduring covenant with His people.
- Pride and Humility
The downfall of the king of Babylon serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and the consequences of seeking to elevate oneself above God.
- Divine Sovereignty
The chapter reaffirms the belief in God’s ultimate control over history and nations, assuring readers that His purposes will prevail.
Imagery and Symbolism
The chapter employs rich imagery and symbolism to convey its messages:
- Lucifer
The reference to Lucifer (often interpreted as “morning star”) symbolizes the fall from grace due to pride.
- Desolation of Babylon
The vivid descriptions of Babylon’s ruin serve as a metaphor for the consequences of sin and rebellion against God.
- Mockery of the Dead
The imagery of the dead rising to mock the fallen king underscores the reversal of fortunes and the ultimate futility of human arrogance.
Conclusion
Isaiah Chapter 14 serves as a powerful reminder of God’s justice and sovereignty, illustrating the consequences of pride and the hope of restoration for His people. Through its vivid imagery and poignant themes, the chapter resonates with readers as a timeless reflection on the nature of power, humility, and divine authority.
