Isaiah 14:5

5 The LORD has broken the staff of the wicked and the sceptre of the rulers

Isaiah 14:5 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 14:5

The Lord hath broken the staff of the wicked
This is an answer to the above question, how the exactor and his tribute came to cease; this was not by man, but by the Lord himself; for though he made use of Cyrus, the work was his own, he broke the power of the wicked kings of Babylon: [and] the sceptre of the rulers;
that were under the king of Babylon; or of the several kings themselves, Nebuchadnezzar, Evilmerodach, and Belshazzar; so Kimchi interprets it. This may be applied to the kingdom of antichrist, and the antichristian states, which shall be broken to shivers as a potter's vessel by Christ, the King of kings, and Lord of lords, ( Revelation 2:27 ) ( Revelation 19:15 Revelation 19:16 ) . The "staff" and "sceptre" are emblems of power and government; and "breaking" them signifies the utter destruction and cessation of authority and dominion.

Isaiah 14:5 In-Context

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 in which thou wast made to serve,

4 that thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon and say, How has the oppressor ceased! The city that covets gold has ceased!

5 The LORD has broken the staff of the wicked and the sceptre of the rulers

6 who smote the peoples in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the Gentiles in anger and who did not defend the persecuted.

7 The whole earth is at rest and is quiet; they sing praises.