Isaiah 14:28-32

A Prophecy Against the Philistines

28 This prophecy came in the year King Ahaz died:
29 Do 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.
30 The 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.
31 Wail, 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.
32 What answer shall be given to the envoys of that nation? “The LORD has established Zion, and in her his afflicted people will find refuge.”

Isaiah 14:28-32 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.

Cross References 19

  • 1. S Isaiah 13:1
  • 2. S 2 Kings 15:7
  • 3. S 2 Kings 16:1; 2 Kings 16:20
  • 4. S Joshua 13:3; S 2 Kings 1:2; S 2 Chronicles 26:6
  • 5. S Isaiah 11:8
  • 6. S Deuteronomy 8:15
  • 7. Isaiah 3:15; Isaiah 25:4
  • 8. S Isaiah 7:21-22
  • 9. Isaiah 8:21; Isaiah 9:20; Isaiah 51:19
  • 10. Jeremiah 25:16; Zechariah 9:5-6
  • 11. Ezekiel 25:15-17; Zephaniah 2:5
  • 12. S Isaiah 13:6
  • 13. S Isaiah 3:26
  • 14. S Genesis 10:14
  • 15. Isaiah 41:25; Jeremiah 1:14; Jeremiah 4:6; Jeremiah 6:1,22; Jeremiah 10:22; Jeremiah 13:20; Jeremiah 25:9; Jeremiah 46:20,24; Jeremiah 47:2; Jeremiah 50:41; Ezekiel 32:30
  • 16. S Isaiah 5:27
  • 17. Isaiah 37:9
  • 18. S Psalms 51:18; Psalms 87:2,5; Isaiah 2:2; Isaiah 26:1; Isaiah 28:16; Isaiah 31:5; Isaiah 33:5,20; Isaiah 44:28; Isaiah 51:21; Isaiah 54:11
  • 19. S Isaiah 4:6; James 2:5
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