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Isaiah chapter 14

English Standard Version

1For the Lord will have compassion on Jacob and will again choose Israel, and will set them in their own land, and sojourners will join them and will attach themselves to the house of Jacob. 2And the peoples will take them and bring them to their place, and the house of Israel will possess them in the Lord 's land as male and female slaves. They will take captive those who were their captors, and rule over those who oppressed them.
3When the Lord has given you rest from your pain and turmoil and the hard service with which you were made to serve, 4you will take up this taunt against the king of Babylon: "How the oppressor has ceased, the insolent fury ceased!
5The Lord has broken the staff of the wicked, the scepter of rulers, 6 that struck the peoples in wrath with unceasing blows, that ruled the nations in anger with unrelenting persecution. 7The whole earth is at rest and quiet; they break forth into singing. 8 The cypresses rejoice at you, the cedars of Lebanon, saying, ‘Since you were laid low, no woodcutter comes up against us.’ 9Sheol beneath is stirred up to meet you when you come; it rouses the shades to greet you, all who were leaders of the earth; it raises from their thrones all who were kings of the nations. 10 All of them will answer and say to you: ‘You too have become as weak as we! You have become like us!’ 11Your pomp is brought down to Sheol, the sound of your harps; maggots are laid as a bed beneath you, and worms are your covers. 12"How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! 13You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; 14I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ 15 But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit. 16Those who see you will stare at you and ponder over you: ‘Is this the man who made the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms, 17who made the world like a desert and overthrew its cities, who did not let his prisoners go home?’ 18All the kings of the nations lie in glory, each in his own tomb; 19but 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. 20You will not be joined with them in burial, because you have destroyed your land, you have slain your people. "May the offspring of evildoers nevermore be named! 21Prepare slaughter for his sons because of the guilt of their fathers, lest they rise and possess the earth, and fill the face of the world with cities." 22"I will rise up against them," declares the Lord of hosts, "and will cut off from Babylon name and remnant, descendants and posterity," declares the Lord. 23"And I will make it a possession of the hedgehog, and pools of water, and I will sweep it with the broom of destruction," declares the Lord of hosts.
24The Lord of hosts has sworn: "As I have planned, so shall it be, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand, 25that I will break the Assyrian in my land, and on my mountains trample him underfoot; and his yoke shall depart from them, and his burden from their shoulder." 26This is the purpose that is purposed concerning the whole earth, and this is the hand that is stretched out over all the nations. 27 For the Lord of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back? 28In the year that King Ahaz died came this oracle:
29Rejoice not, O Philistia, all of you, that the rod that struck you is broken, for from the serpent 's root will come forth an adder, and its fruit will be a flying fiery serpent. 30And the firstborn of the poor will graze, and the needy lie down in safety; but I will kill your root with famine, and your remnant it will slay. 31 Wail, O gate; cry out, O city; melt in fear, O Philistia, all of you! For smoke comes out of the north, and there is no straggler in his ranks. 32What will one answer the messengers of the nation? "The Lord has founded Zion, and in her the afflicted of his people find refuge."
New International Version

1The 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. 2Nations 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.
3On the day the Lord gives you relief from your suffering and turmoil and from the harsh labor forced on you,
4you will take up this taunt against the king of Babylon: How the oppressor has come to an end! How his fury has ended! 5The Lord has broken the rod of the wicked, the scepter of the rulers, 6which in anger struck down peoples with unceasing blows, and in fury subdued nations with relentless aggression. 7All the lands are at rest and at peace; they break into singing.
8Even 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." 9The 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. 10They will all respond, they will say to you, "You also have become weak, as we are; you have become like us."
11All 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. 12How 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! 13You 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. 14I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High."
15But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit. 16Those who see you stare at you, they ponder your fate: "Is this the man who shook the earth and made kingdoms tremble,
17the man who made the world a wilderness, who overthrew its cities and would not let his captives go home?" 18All the kings of the nations lie in state, each in his own tomb. 19But 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,
20you 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.
21Prepare 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. 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. 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.
24The Lord Almighty has sworn, "Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen.
25I 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." 26This is the plan determined for the whole world; this is the hand stretched out over all nations. 27For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?
28This prophecy came in the year King Ahaz died:
29Do 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.
30The 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. 31Wail, 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. 32What answer shall be given to the envoys of that nation? "The Lord has established Zion, and in her his afflicted people will find refuge."
New American Standard Bible

1When the Lord has compassion on Jacob and again chooses Israel, and settles them on their own land, then strangers will join them and attach themselves to the house of Jacob. 2The peoples will take them along and bring them to their place, and the house of Israel will make them their own possession in the land of the Lord as male and female servants; and they will take their captors captive and will rule over their oppressors.
3And it will be on the day when the Lord gives you rest from your hardship, your turmoil, and from the harsh service in which you have been enslaved,
4that you will take up this taunt against the king of Babylon, and say, 'How the oppressor has ceased, And how the onslaught has ceased! 5The Lord has broken the staff of the wicked, The scepter of rulers, 6Which used to strike the peoples in fury with unceasing strokes, Which subdued the nations in anger with unrestrained persecution. 7The whole earth is at rest and is quiet; They break forth into shouts of joy. 8Even the juniper trees rejoice over you, and the cedars of Lebanon, saying, ‘Since you have been laid low, no tree cutter comes up against us.’ 9Sheol below is excited about you, to meet you when you come; It stirs the spirits of the dead for you, all the leaders of the earth; It raises all the kings of the nations from their thrones. 10They will all respond and say to you, ‘Even you have become weak as we, You have become like us. 11Your pride and the music of your harps Have been brought down to Sheol; Maggots are spread out as your bed beneath you And worms are your covering.’ 12How you have fallen from heaven, You star of the morning, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the earth, You who defeated the nations! 13But you said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, And I will sit on the mount of assembly In the recesses of the north. 14I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ 15Nevertheless you will be brought down to Sheol, To the recesses of the pit. 16Those who see you will stare at you, They will closely examine you, saying, ‘Is this the man who made the earth tremble, Who shook kingdoms, 17Who made the world like a wilderness And overthrew its cities, Who did not allow his prisoners to go home?’ 18All the kings of the nations lie in glory, Each in his own tomb. 19But 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. 20You will not be united with them in burial, Because you have ruined your country, You have killed your people. May the descendants of evildoers never be mentioned.
21Prepare a place of slaughter for his sons Because of the wrongdoing of their fathers. They must not arise and take possession of the earth, And fill the surface of the world with cities.'
22I will rise up against them,' declares the Lord of armies, 'and eliminate from Babylon name and survivors, offspring and descendants,' declares the Lord. 23I will also make it the property of the hedgehog and swamps of water, and I will sweep it away with the broom of destruction,' declares the Lord of armies.
24The Lord of armies has sworn, saying, 'Certainly, just as I have intended, so it has happened, and just as I have planned, so it will stand, 25to break Assyria in My land, and I will trample him on My mountains. Then his yoke will be removed from them, and his burden removed from their shoulders. 26This is the plan devised against the entire earth; and this is the hand that is stretched out against all the nations. 27For the Lord of armies has planned, and who can frustrate it? And as for His stretched-out hand, who can turn it back?'
28In the year that King Ahaz died, this pronouncement came:
29'Do not rejoice, Philistia, all of you, Because the rod that struck you is broken; For from the serpent’s root a viper will come out, And its fruit will be a winged serpent. 30 Those who are most helpless will eat, And the poor will lie down in security; I will kill your root with famine, And it will kill your survivors. 31Wail, you gate; cry, you city; Melt away, Philistia, all of you! For smoke comes from the north, And there is no straggler in his ranks. 32What answer will one give the messengers of the nation? That the Lord has founded Zion, And the poor of His people will take refuge in it.'
Christian Standard Bible

1For the Lord will have compassion on Jacob and will choose Israel again. He will settle them on their own land. The resident alien will join them and be united with the house of Jacob. 2The nations will escort Israel and bring it to its homeland. Then the house of Israel will possess them as male and female slaves in the Lord’s land. They will make captives of their captors and will rule over their oppressors.
3When the Lord gives you rest from your pain, torment, and the hard labor you were forced to do,
4you will sing this song of contempt about the king of Babylon and say: How the oppressor has quieted down, and how the raging has become quiet! 5The Lord has broken the staff of the wicked, the scepter of the rulers. 6It struck the peoples in anger with unceasing blows. It subdued the nations in rage with relentless persecution. 7The whole earth is calm and at rest; people shout with a ringing cry.
8Even the cypresses and the cedars of Lebanon rejoice over you: "Since you have been laid low, no lumberjack has come against us." 9Sheol below is eager to greet your coming, stirring up the spirits of the departed for you— all the rulers of the earth— making all the kings of the nations rise from their thrones. 10They all respond to you, saying, "You too have become as weak as we are; you have become like us!
11Your splendor has been brought down to Sheol, along with the music of your harps. Maggots are spread out under you, and worms cover you." 12Shining morning star, how you have fallen from the heavens! You destroyer of nations, you have been cut down to the ground. 13You said to yourself, "I will ascend to the heavens; I will set up my throne above the stars of God. I will sit on the mount of the gods’ assembly, in the remotest parts of the North. 14I will ascend above the highest clouds; I will make myself like the Most High."
15But you will be brought down to Sheol into the deepest regions of the Pit. 16Those who see you will stare at you; they will look closely at you: "Is this the man who caused the earth to tremble, who shook the kingdoms, 17who turned the world into a wilderness, who destroyed its cities and would not release the prisoners to return home?" 18All the kings of the nations lie in splendor, each in his own tomb. 19But 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. 20You will not join them in burial, because you destroyed your land and slaughtered your own people. The offspring of evildoers will never be mentioned again. 21Prepare a place of slaughter for his sons, because of the iniquity of their fathers. They will never rise up to possess a land or fill the surface of the earth with cities.
22"I will rise up against them"—this is the declaration of the Lord of Armies—"and I will cut off from Babylon her reputation, remnant, offspring, and posterity"—this is the Lord’s declaration.
23"I will make her a swampland and a region for herons, and I will sweep her away with the broom of destruction." This is the declaration of the Lord of Armies.
24The Lord of Armies has sworn: As I have purposed, so it will be; as I have planned it, so it will happen. 25I will break Assyria in my land; I will tread him down on my mountain. Then his yoke will be taken from them, and his burden will be removed from their shoulders. 26This is the plan prepared for the whole earth, and this is the hand stretched out against all the nations. 27The Lord of Armies himself has planned it; therefore, who can stand in its way? It is his hand that is outstretched, so who can turn it back?
28In the year that King Ahaz died, this pronouncement came:
29Don’t rejoice, all of you in Philistia, because the rod of the one who struck you is broken. For a viper will come from the root of a snake, and from its egg comes a flying serpent. 30Then the firstborn of the poor will be well fed, and the impoverished will lie down in safety, but I will kill your root with hunger, and your remnant will be slain. 31Wail, you gates! Cry out, city! Tremble with fear, all Philistia! For a cloud of dust is coming from the north, and there is no one missing from the invader’s ranks. 32What answer will be given to the messengers from that nation? The Lord has founded Zion, and his oppressed people find refuge in her.
New Living Translation

1But the Lord will have mercy on the descendants of Jacob. He will choose Israel as his special people once again. He will bring them back to settle once again in their own land. And people from many different nations will come and join them there and unite with the people of Israel. 2The nations of the world will help the people of Israel to return, and those who come to live in the Lord’s land will serve them. Those who captured Israel will themselves be captured, and Israel will rule over its enemies.
3In that wonderful day when the Lord gives his people rest from sorrow and fear, from slavery and chains,
4you will taunt the king of Babylon. You will say, 'The mighty man has been destroyed. Yes, your insolence is ended. 5For the Lord has crushed your wicked power and broken your evil rule. 6You struck the people with endless blows of rage and held the nations in your angry grip with unrelenting tyranny. 7But finally the earth is at rest and quiet. Now it can sing again! 8Even the trees of the forest — the cypress trees and the cedars of Lebanon — sing out this joyous song: ‘Since you have been cut down, no one will come now to cut us down!’
9'In the place of the dead there is excitement over your arrival. The spirits of world leaders and mighty kings long dead stand up to see you. 10With one voice they all cry out, ‘Now you are as weak as we are! 11Your might and power were buried with you. The sound of the harp in your palace has ceased. Now maggots are your sheet, and worms your blanket.’
12'How you are fallen from heaven, O shining star, son of the morning! You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world. 13For you said to yourself, ‘I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north. 14I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High.’ 15Instead, you will be brought down to the place of the dead, down to its lowest depths. 16Everyone there will stare at you and ask, ‘Can this be the one who shook the earth and made the kingdoms of the world tremble? 17Is this the one who destroyed the world and made it into a wasteland? Is this the king who demolished the world’s greatest cities and had no mercy on his prisoners?’
18'The kings of the nations lie in stately glory, each in his own tomb, 19but 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. 20You will not be given a proper burial, for you have destroyed your nation and slaughtered your people. The descendants of such an evil person will never again receive honor. 21Kill this man’s children! Let them die because of their father’s sins! They must not rise and conquer the earth, filling the world with their cities.'
22This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: 'I, myself, have risen against Babylon! I will destroy its children and its children’s children,' says the Lord. 23'I will make Babylon a desolate place of owls, filled with swamps and marshes. I will sweep the land with the broom of destruction. I, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!'
24The Lord of Heaven’s Armies has sworn this oath: 'It will all happen as I have planned. It will be as I have decided. 25I will break the Assyrians when they are in Israel; I will trample them on my mountains. My people will no longer be their slaves nor bow down under their heavy loads. 26I have a plan for the whole earth, a hand of judgment upon all the nations. 27The Lord of Heaven’s Armies has spoken — who can change his plans? When his hand is raised, who can stop him?'
28This message came to me the year King Ahaz died:
29Do not rejoice, you Philistines, that the rod that struck you is broken — that the king who attacked you is dead. For from that snake a more poisonous snake will be born, a fiery serpent to destroy you! 30I will feed the poor in my pasture; the needy will lie down in peace. But as for you, I will wipe you out with famine and destroy the few who remain. 31Wail at the gates! Weep in the cities! Melt with fear, you Philistines! A powerful army comes like smoke from the north. Each soldier rushes forward eager to fight.
32What should we tell the Philistine messengers? Tell them, 'The Lord has built Jerusalem ; its walls will give refuge to his oppressed people.'
King James Version

1For 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. 2And 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. 3And 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, 4That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased!
5The Lord hath broken the staff of the wicked, and the sceptre of the rulers.
6He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, and none hindereth.
7The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth into singing.
8Yea, the fir trees rejoice at thee, and the cedars of Lebanon, saying, Since thou art laid down, no feller is come up against us.
9Hell 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.
10All they shall speak and say unto thee, Art thou also become weak as we? art thou become like unto us?
11Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee.
12How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
13For 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:
14I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
15Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
16They 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;
17That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?
18All the kings of the nations, even all of them, lie in glory, every one in his own house.
19But 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.
20Thou 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.
21Prepare 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.
22For 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.
23I 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.
24The 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:
25That 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.
26This is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth: and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations.
27For the Lord of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back? 28In the year that king Ahaz died was this burden. 29Rejoice 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.
30And 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.
31Howl, 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.
32What 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.
New King James Version

1For the Lord will have mercy on Jacob, and will still choose Israel, and settle them in their own land. The strangers will be joined with them, and they will cling to the house of Jacob. 2Then people will take them and bring them to their place, and the house of Israel will possess them for servants and maids in the land of the Lord; they will take them captive whose captives they were, and rule over their oppressors.
3It shall come to pass in the day the Lord gives you rest from your sorrow, and from your fear and the hard bondage in which you were made to serve,
4that you will take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say: “How the oppressor has ceased, The golden city ceased! 5The Lord has broken the staff of the wicked, The scepter of the rulers; 6He who struck the people in wrath with a continual stroke, He who ruled the nations in anger, Is persecuted and no one hinders. 7The whole earth is at rest and quiet; They break forth into singing. 8 Indeed the cypress trees rejoice over you, And the cedars of Lebanon, Saying, ‘Since you were cut down, No woodsman has come up against us.’ 9“Hell from beneath is excited about you, To meet you at your coming; It stirs up the dead for you, All the chief ones of the earth; It has raised up from their thrones All the kings of the nations. 10They all shall speak and say to you: ‘Have you also become as weak as we? Have you become like us? 11Your pomp is brought down to Sheol, And the sound of your stringed instruments; The maggot is spread under you, And worms cover you.’ 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! 13For 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; 14I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’ 15Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit. 16“Those who see you will gaze at you, And consider you, saying: ‘ Is this the man who made the earth tremble, Who shook kingdoms, 17Who made the world as a wilderness And destroyed its cities, Who did not open the house of his prisoners?’ 18“All the kings of the nations, All of them, sleep in glory, Everyone in his own house; 19But 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. 20You will not be joined with them in burial, Because you have destroyed your land And slain your people. The brood of evildoers shall never be named. 21Prepare slaughter for his children Because of the iniquity of their fathers, Lest they rise up and possess the land, And fill the face of the world with cities.” 22“For I will rise up against them,” says the Lord of hosts, “And cut off from Babylon the name and remnant, And offspring and posterity,” says the Lord. 23“I will also make it a possession for the porcupine, And marshes of muddy water; I will sweep it with the broom of destruction,” says the Lord of hosts. 24The Lord of hosts has sworn, saying, “Surely, as I have thought, so it shall come to pass, And as I have purposed, so it shall stand: 25That I will break the Assyrian in My land, And on My mountains tread him underfoot. Then his yoke shall be removed from them, And his burden removed from their shoulders. 26This is the purpose that is purposed against the whole earth, And this is the hand that is stretched out over all the nations. 27For the Lord of hosts has purposed, And who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, And who will turn it back?”
28This is the burden which came in the year that King Ahaz died.
29“Do not rejoice, all you of Philistia, Because the rod that struck you is broken; For out of the serpent’s roots will come forth a viper, And its offspring will be a fiery flying serpent. 30The firstborn of the poor will feed, And the needy will lie down in safety; I will kill your roots with famine, And it will slay your remnant. 31Wail, O gate! Cry, O city! All you of Philistia are dissolved; For smoke will come from the north, And no one will be alone in his appointed times.” 32What will they answer the messengers of the nation? That the Lord has founded Zion, And the poor of His people shall take refuge in it.

What does Isaiah chapter 14 mean?

Isaiah follows the oracle against Babylon from Chapter 13 with a brief explanation. He explains what this downfall will mean for the people of Judah and the house of Jacob. He then records a taunting song that future Israelites will sing to mock the fallen king of Babylon. This mockery is followed by oracles against Assyria and Philistia.

Following God's judgment against Babylon, the Lord will once more have compassion on His captive people. He will choose Israel again and return them to their own land. The Babylonian Gentiles who return with them will become their slaves, reversing Israel's status from captives to captors (Isaiah 14:1–3).

Once freed and returned to the land, Isaiah prophecies that the people of Judah will sing a mocking funeral dirge about the dead king of Babylon. Scholars call it a taunt-song. This song follows the normal pattern of a dirge for a fallen leader. But instead of praising the king's legacy, it celebrates his death and the end of his family line (Isaiah 14:4).

The song begins by noticing the peace and rest that have come on the earth. While alive, the king of Babylon was an unrelenting and cruel tyrant. Both humans and nature rejoice that he is gone (Isaiah 14:5–8).

In the afterlife of Sheol, the spirits of former kings, perhaps those this king defeated and killed, are roused to welcome the new king to the place of the dead. Instead of honoring him, they mock him for becoming as weak as they are. He is just another dead king with no pomp or ceremony sleeping on a bed of maggots with worms for his blanket (Isaiah 14:9–11).

The next segment of Isaiah's mocking song refers to the fallen king as "Day Star, son of Dawn." Many Christians see Satan's fall from heaven echoed in these words. The taunt song goes on to describe how short he has fallen from his ambition to reign in heaven like the Most High among the other gods. He has fallen so low that his body will not even be properly buried. Rather, his remains will be trampled on the ground, thrown in a pile of dead bodies tossed into a mass grave. Lastly, his sons will be slaughtered by his own people to keep his lineage from ever appearing again (Isaiah 14:12–23).

Next, Isaiah turns to the Assyrians of his own day. The oracle against them declares the Lord's decided purpose to break them in His land and break their oppression over His people. Nothing can interfere with the Lord's plans (Isaiah 14:24–27).

The chapter wraps up with an oracle against Philistia. The Philistine nation was settled along the Mediterranean coast west of the Dead Sea. Major cities included Ashdod and Gaza. Isaiah's prophecy against Philistia is thick with symbolism. He received it the year Judah's King Ahaz died, which was probably 715 BC. The Philistines had just scored a temporary victory over the Assyrians oppressing them in the region. Isaiah warns them not to rejoice, because an "adder will come from the serpent's root" and its "fruit will be a flying fire serpent." Most modern commentators read this as a prediction that the Assyrians will grow strong again and return to defeat Philistia. That's exactly what happened four years later in 711 BC. After a siege by Sargon II, Philistia became an official province of Assyria (Isaiah 14:28–31).

Chapter 14 ends with Isaiah's encouragement to the people of Judah that they can trust the Lord to protect them. He founded Zion, or Jerusalem, and the afflicted of His people can find refuge in her (Isaiah 14:32).
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