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Isaiah 14:5-15

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5 The LORD has broken the 1staff of the wicked, the 2scepter of rulers,
6 3that struck the peoples in wrath with unceasing blows, that ruled the nations in anger with unrelenting persecution.
7 The whole earth is at rest and quiet; 4they break forth into singing.
8 The cypresses rejoice at you, 5the cedars of Lebanon, saying, 'Since you were laid low, no woodcutter comes up against us.'
9 Sheol 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 6All of them will answer and say to you: 'You too have become as weak as we! You have become like us!'
11 Your 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 7you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, 8son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low!
13 You said in your heart, 9'I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God 10I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north;[a]
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.'
15 11But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit.
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Isaiah 14:5-15 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 14

This chapter contains prophecies of the restoration of the Jews, of the fall of the king of Babylon, and the destruction of the Assyrian empire, and of the ruin of Palestine. The moving cause of the restoration of the Jews, and their settlement in their own land, is the distinguishing mercy of God towards them; the accomplishment of it, proselytes joined unto them; the means, people of other nations, who should bring them into it, and whom they should possess and rule over; and the consequence of it, rest from sorrow, fear, and hard bondage, Isa 14:1-3 upon which they are introduced as taking up a proverb, or a triumphant song, concerning the king of Babylon, wondering at his fall, and ascribing it to the Lord, Isa 14:4,5 representing the inhabitants of the earth, and great men of it, as at peace, and rest, and rejoicing, who before were continually disturbed, and smitten by him, Isa 14:6-8 introducing the dead, and those in hell, meeting him, and welcoming him into their regions, with taunts and jeers; upbraiding him with his weakness, shame, and disgrace he was come into; putting him in mind of his former pomp and splendour, pride, arrogance, and haughtiness, Isa 14:9-15 spectators are brought in, as amazed at the low, mean, and despicable condition he was brought into, considering what he had done in the world, in kingdoms and cities, but was now denied a burial, when other kings lay in their pompous sepulchres, Isa 14:16-20 and then it is foretold that that whole royal family should be cut off, and Babylon, the metropolis of his kingdom, should be utterly destroyed, Isa 14:21-23 all which was settled and fixed by the purpose of God, which could not be made void, Isa 14:24-27 and next follows a prophecy of the destruction of Palestine; the date of the prophecy is given Isa 14:28 the inhabitants of Palestine are bid not to rejoice at the death of one of the kings of Judah, since another should arise, who would be fatal to them, Isa 14:29 and while the Jews would be in safety, they would be destroyed by famine and war, Isa 14:30,31 from all which it would appear, and it might be told the messengers of the nations, or any inquiring persons, that Zion is of the Lord's founding, and under his care and protection, and that his people have great reason and encouragement to trust in him, Isa 14:32.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Cross References 11

  • 1. [Isaiah 9:4]
  • 2. [Isaiah 9:4]
  • 3. [Jeremiah 50:23]
  • 4. Isaiah 44:23; Isaiah 49:13; Isaiah 54:1; Isaiah 55:12
  • 5. See Isaiah 2:13
  • 6. [Jeremiah 51:48]
  • 7. [Isaiah 24:21; Isaiah 34:3]
  • 8. [Job 38:7]
  • 9. Jeremiah 51:53; Amos 9:2; [Matthew 11:23; Luke 10:15]
  • 10. Daniel 5:22, 23; [2 Thessalonians 2:4]
  • 11. Ezekiel 32:23; Matthew 11:23; Luke 10:15

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Or in the remote parts of Zaphon
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.