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Isaiah 14:19
ESV but you are cast out, away from your grave, like a loathed branch, clothed with the slain, those pierced by the sword, who go down to the stones of the pit, like a dead body trampled underfoot.
NIV 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,
NASB But you have been hurled out of your tomb Like a rejected branch, Clothed with those killed who have been pierced with a sword, Who go down to the stones of the pit Like a trampled corpse.
CSB But you are thrown out without a grave, like a worthless branch, covered by those slain with the sword and dumped into a rocky pit like a trampled corpse.
NLT but you will be thrown out of your grave like a worthless branch. Like a corpse trampled underfoot, you will be dumped into a mass grave with those killed in battle. You will descend to the pit.
KJV 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.
NKJV But you are cast out of your grave Like an abominable branch, Like the garment of those who are slain, Thrust through with a sword, Who go down to the stones of the pit, Like a corpse trodden underfoot.

What does Isaiah 14:19 mean?

Some of the phrases in this passage are difficult to translate. Isaiah is using poetry and imagery, while also making a direct point. The overall message is clear: the fallen king of Babylon (Isaiah 14:12–15) will have no tomb or honorable burial in death. Unlike the kings he defeated and killed in life he will be cast out. This king of Babylon will not rest in the tomb that may have been reserved for him. His mutilated body may have been put on public display so that all could see that the hated and feared king had truly been killed (Isaiah 14:16–18).

It is unclear what exactly Isaiah means by the king being cast away like a "loathed," or rejected, branch. The picture may be of a branch, pruned from the tree, which is cast off in a pile to be burned. It is possible that the king's body is cast into a pile of the bodies of others killed in the attack on Babylon. Like the rest of those bodies, his body will be trampled underfoot and cast into a pit, perhaps a mass grave.

In other words, the body of most powerful man in the world will be treated as common trash, once he is dead. People in the ancient Near East would have seen this as a terrible end. Many in this era believed that the quality of a person's afterlife was related to how and with what they were buried. Important kings and dignitaries were buried in lavish tombs fully equipped with sustenance for the beginning of a journey through the afterlife. Those unburied, or buried without dignity, were believed by some to return as unsettled spirits.

Again, Isaiah is not teaching any of these ideas as woodenly literal predictions. He is portraying the king's impending doom using the worst imaginable scenario in the minds of the people of the time. This king will have no relief from his utter humiliation in death.
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