Isaiah 14
14
Restoration of Judah
1The Lord Yahweh will most certainly
show tender mercy to the Israelites. # 14:1 Or “to Jacob.” See Rom. 9–11.
He will choose them again and settle them in their own land. # 14:1 See 1 Kings 8:56; Isa. 32:18.
Even foreigners will accompany them
and join with the Jewish people. # 14:1 Or “house of Jacob.” “Foreigners” (gentiles) and Jews make up “the one new race of humanity.” See Eph. 2:11–22.
2Nations will take them back to their own place, # 14:2 See Isa. 49:22; 60:9; 66:20. They will bring them to their own place; that is, into the body of Christ (see John 14:1–3; 1 Cor. 12:18; Eph. 4:16).
and the Jews # 14:2 Or “house of Israel.” will own their enemies # 14:2 Or “possess them as menservants and maidservants.” as their inheritance
in the land Yahweh gave them. # 14:2 See Ps. 126.
They will take their captors captive
and rule over those who once oppressed them. # 14:2 See Isa. 60:14. The oppressors today are Satan (see Rom. 16:20) and the mind of man (see 2 Cor. 10:3–5).
Downfall of the King of Babylon
3In that day, when the Lord Yahweh has given you rest from your pain, trouble, and cruel bondage, # 14:3 See Matt. 11:28–30; Rom. 6:1–14; Heb. 3–4. 4you will jeer at the king of Babylon and recite this proverb: # 14:4 “Proverb” is the Hebrew word mashal, a homonym for both “proverb” (Prov. 1:1) and “to rule [as king],” “to triumph,” or “to take dominion.” The life and power of “Babylon” (confusion) is conquered by the indwelling life of Christ.
“Your oppressor has been stilled and your onslaught is over! # 14:4 Or “the golden city has ceased.”
5The Lord Yahweh has shattered the staff of the wicked,
the brutal rod # 14:5 A “brutal rod,” a metonymy, represents the authority of wicked rulers. of the rulers.
6With their unceasing blows they used it cruelly
to strike down nations.
They subdued nations in anger with unrelenting persecution.
7But now the whole earth rests and is at peace.
It bursts out with singing; # 14:7 With the oppressive tyranny of the systems of Babylon destroyed, the prophet now saw the people break out with rejoicing and singing. See Isa. 44:23; 49:13; 52:9; 54:1; 55:12.
8even the cypresses and cedars of Lebanon # 14:8 In the Christian tradition, the cypress is a symbol of death, life, and resurrection. The cypress supplied boards and timber for doors (see 1 Kings 6:15, 33) and beams for roofing the temple (see 2 Chron. 3:5). The towering cedars of Lebanon speak of God’s anointed servants standing tall and upright, bringing favor to the world (see footnote on Ps. 92:12). join in,
rejoicing over your demise, saying,
‘Now that you were laid low,
no woodsman comes to cut us down.’ ”
The Underworld
9The underworld # 14:9 Or “Sheol,” which represents both the underworld and the personification of the evil it represents. is all astir in preparation,
ready to meet you when you show up.
It rouses the spirits of the dead to greet you!
All the former tyrants # 14:9 Or “great goats,” a likely symbol of tyrants, or “It roused all the giants that ruled the earth” (LXX). and despots # 14:9 Or “kings.” These former rulers are depicted in the underworld (Sheol) as sitting on thrones of darkness.
rise from their thrones!
10One and all will say to you:
“Look at you! You’ve become as weak as we are.
Now you’re just like us!
11Your pompous pride brought you down to the underworld
with the hum of harps. # 14:11 Or “the sound of your harps.” The Hebrew word for “harp” can also be translated “jars” or “pitchers,” with an implication of the noise of clashing jars being broken.
But you will lie on a bed of maggots,
and a blanket of worms will cover you!”
The Son of the Dawn
12“Look how you have fallen from your heavenly place,
O shining one, # 14:12 Or “daystar” or “morning star.” Many scholars and expositors view this passage (vv. 12–21) as not only the fall of Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar but also the fall of Satan from heaven (see Luke 10:18). Lucifer, a name for Satan, is the Latin word for “the morning star” or “Venus.” Some view this passage as referring to Adam and the sin of man (see 2 Thess. 2:3–8). son of the dawn!
You have been cut down to the ground,
you who conquered nations. # 14:12 Or “laid low the people.”
13You said in your heart,
‘I will ascend into heaven
and exalt my throne above the stars of God. # 14:13 Lucifer wanted to mount up to the heavens. He desired to occupy the highest heavens, to probe the kingdom of the infinite God. His position of favor before God’s throne was not enough. He wanted a throne from which he could exercise final authority and make decisions pertaining to the angelic host (“the stars of God”). He wanted to rule over all the angels.
I will rule on the mountain of the congregation,
on the highest place of the sacred mountain. # 14:13 Or “the summit of Zaphon” or “the farthest reaches of the north” (Ps. 48:1–2). Lucifer desired to be enthroned in the highest place, having all the angelic assemblies in submission to him. He wanted to be the center of attention.
14I will rise past the tops of the clouds
and rival the Most High God!’
15Yet down to the underworld you go—
into the depths of the pit! # 14:15 Or “cistern,” a metaphor for the underworld.
16Everyone will stare at you and ponder your fate, # 14:16 Or “peer at you closely.” saying,
‘Is this the man who shook the earth
and made the kingdoms tremble?
17Is this the man who made the world a desert
and overthrew its cities and refused to free his prisoners
and let them return home?’
18Every king at death lies in state,
each in his crypt of splendor,
19but you are an unburied, trampled corpse,
thrown out of your grave like a rotten stick
and wrapped in the bloody clothing
of those slain by the sword.
20You will not have a burial like them,
because you destroyed both your land and your people.
May your wicked descendants never be mentioned again!
21Prepare to execute his sons because of the sins of their father. # 14:21 As translated from the Syriac and the Septuagint. Hebrew is “fathers [ancestors].” See Ezek. 18:20.
May they never rise to conquer the earth
and cover the world with their cities.”
Utter Extermination of Babylon
22“I will rise up against them,”
declares the Lord Yahweh, Commander of Angel Armies.
“I will blot out the name Babylon and her survivors,
her offspring and descendants,” declares the Lord Yahweh.
23“I will turn it into a swampland and a place for wild animals. # 14:23 The meaning of the Hebrew word qippod is uncertain. Some translate it as “hedgehog,” “porcupine,” or “owl.”
Like dirt on the floor I will sweep it away
with the broom of destruction,”
declares the Lord Yahweh, Commander of Angel Armies.
The Lord’s Plan for Assyria
24The Lord Yahweh, Commander of Angel Armies,
makes this solemn decree:
“Be sure of this: Just as I have planned, # 14:24 Or “imagined it.” so it will be.
Every purpose of my heart will surely come to pass.
25I will crush the Assyrians who invade my land.
I will trample them on my mountains.
Their yoke of slavery will be removed from my people
and their heavy burden from their shoulders.
26This is the plan that I have determined for the entire world.
I will accomplish it by the demonstration of my mighty power # 14:26 Or “the hand stretched out,” a metaphor for God accomplishing by his power.
throughout the earth!”
27For the Lord Yahweh, the Commander of Angel Armies,
has an amazing strategy, and who can thwart him?
When he moves in power, who can stop him? # 14:27 Or “When his hand is stretched out, who will turn it back?”
God’s Judgment of the Philistines
28This prophecy came to Isaiah in the year King Ahaz died: # 14:28 This prophecy is one of three that are dated in the book. See Isa. 6; 20:1–2.
Don’t rejoice too soon, you Philistines, # 14:28 The Hebrew meaning of Philistines is “those who roll in the dust.” They become a picture of believers who are walking in the flesh (see Gal. 5:16) and not living by the dynamic power of the Holy Spirit (see Rom. 8:4).
just because the rod # 14:28 The “rod” is a likely figure of speech for Ahaz, although some see it as a reference to Uzziah, the demise of the Davidic monarchy, or an Assyrian king. that beat you is broken!
29A snake # 14:29 The “snake” is possibly Ahaz’s son, Hezekiah, who would have been like a snake to the Philistines, ready to strike them. will sprout from the root of that serpent,
and his descendant # 14:29 Or “firstfruit.” The oldest commentaries and the Jewish Targums interpret this last clause as a prophecy of the Messiah, who would be “like a flying, fiery, burning one.” The Targum states, “For from the sons of the son of Jesse shall the Messiah come forth and his deeds shall be among you as a deadly serpent” (John Frederick Stenning, The Targum of Isaiah [Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1949], pp. 50–51). He would be more dangerous to the Philistines (a metaphor for the flesh) than any other king. will be like a flying, fiery, burning one. # 14:29 Or “seraph [burning one].” Some see the seraph as a type of fiery serpent, but the meaning of the Hebrew word seraph is clearly “a burning one.” See Isa. 6:6.
30And through him the poorest of the poor will find pasture # 14:30 Or “the firstborn [or firstfruits] of the poor will graze [in my pastures].” The “firstborn of the poor” is likely a figure of speech for “the poorest of the poor.”
and the needy will lie down in peace.
The Lord will starve the root of the Philistines with a famine
that will annihilate your survivors.
31Wail, O gate! Cry out, O city! Melt with fear, Philistia!
For a cloud of smoke # 14:31 The Syriac is “a stout [brave, valiant] one.” comes out of the north,
and there is no straggler among them. # 14:31 The meaning of this Hebrew clause is uncertain. This seems to be a picture of an invading army; however, the Septuagint is “and there is nothing more they need to live.”
32And what will be the answer of the messengers of the nations?
That the Lord has laid the foundation of Zion, # 14:32 See Ps. 118:22; Isa. 28:16; Matt. 21:42; Eph. 2:20; 1 Peter 2:6–7.
and in her his needy ones will find shelter. # 14:32 Or “through him the humble will be saved” (LXX).
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Isaiah 14: TPT
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Learn More About The Passion TranslationIsaiah 14
14
The Restoration of Israel
1But Yahweh will have compassion on Jacob,
and he will again choose Israel
and set them on their land,
and the immigrant will join himself to them,
and they will attach themselves to the house of Jacob.
2And the nations will take them
and bring them to their place,
and the house of Israel will take possession of them#That is, the nations in the land of Yahweh
as slaves and female slaves.
And this will happen:
they will take their captors captive
and rule over their oppressors.
The Downfall of the King of Babylon
3And it shall happen on the day Yahweh gives you rest from your pain and turmoil and hard labor which you had to perform,#Literally “was worked by you”
4that you will take this taunt against the king of Babylon,
and you will say:
“How the oppressor has ceased!
his insolence#The meaning of the word is uncertain; others translate it as “fury,” “hostility,” or even “golden city” has ceased.
5Yahweh has broken the staff of the wicked,
the scepter of rulers,
6that struck the peoples in wrath, a blow without ceasing,
that ruled the nations in anger
with unrestrained persecution.#Literally “persecution without withholding”
7All of the earth rests and is quiet;
they break forth into singing.
8Even the cypresses rejoice over you,
the cedars of Lebanon:
‘Since you were laid down,
no wood cutter comes up against us.’
9Sheol below is getting excited over you,
to meet you when you come;#Literally “your entrance”
it arouses the dead spirits for you,
all of the leaders of the earth.
It raises all of the kings of the nations from their thrones.
10All of them will respond and say to you,
‘You yourself also were made weak like us!
You have become the same as us!’
11Your pride is brought down to Sheol,
and the sound of your harps;
maggots#Hebrew “maggot” are spread out beneath you like a bed,
and your covering is worms.#Hebrew “worm”
12How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of dawn!
You are cut down to the ground, conqueror of nations!
13And you yourself said in your heart,
‘I will ascend to heaven;
I will raise up my throne above the stars of God;
and I will sit on the mountain of assembly
on the summit of Zaphon;#Or “of the north”
14I will ascend to the high places of the clouds,#Hebrew “cloud”
I will make myself like the Most High.’
15But you are brought down to Sheol,
to the depths of the pit.
16Those who see you will stare at you,
they will look closely at you:
‘Is this the man who made the earth tremble,
who caused kingdoms to shake,
17who made the world like the desert
and destroyed its cities,
who would not let his prisoners go home?’
18All the kings of the nations, all of them, lie in glory,
each one in his house.
19But as for you, you are thrown away from your grave,
like an abhorrent shoot,
clothed with the slain,
those pierced by the sword,
those who go down to the stones of the pit,
like a corpse that is trodden down.
20You will not be united with them in burial
because you have destroyed your land,
you have killed your people.
The descendants#Hebrew “descendant” of evildoers will not be mentioned for eternity!
21Prepare a place of slaughter for his sons
because of the sin of their ancestors.#Or “fathers”
Let them not rise and take possession of the earth
or fill up the face of the world with cities.”
22“And I will rise up against them,”
declares#Literally “declaration of” Yahweh of hosts,
“and I will cut off name and a remnant from Babylon,
and offspring and posterity,”
declares#Literally “declaration of” Yahweh.
23“And I will make her a possession of the hedgehog,
and pools of water,
and I will sweep her away with the broom of destruction,”
declares#Literally “declaration of” Yahweh of hosts.
Oracle of Judgment on Assyria
24Yahweh of hosts has sworn, saying,
“Surely#The oath formula begins literally “If not” just as I have intended, so it shall be.
And just as I have planned, it shall stand:
25to break Assyria in my land,
and I will trample him down on my mountains;
and he shall remove his yoke from them,
and he shall remove his burden from his#That is, their shoulders.”#Hebrew “shoulder”
26This is the plan that is planned concerning all of the earth;
and this is the hand that is stretched out over all of the nations.
27For Yahweh of hosts has planned, and who will frustrate it?
And his hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?
Oracle of Judgment on Philistia
28In the year of the death of king Ahaz there was this oracle:
29You must not rejoice, all you Philistines,
that the rod that struck you is broken,
for a viper will come forth from the root of the snake,
and its fruit will be a flying serpent.
30And the firstborn of the poor will graze,
and the needy will lie down in security;
but I will cause your root to die in famine,
and it will kill your remnant.
31Wail, gate! Cry, city!
Melt,#With fear or despair Philistia, all of you!
For smoke is coming from the north,
and there is no straggler in his ranks.
32And what will one answer the messengers of the nation?
That Yahweh has founded Zion,
and the needy of his people will take refuge in it.
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