Jesaja 14:15-25

15 Ja, zur Hölle fährst du, zur tiefsten Grube.

16 Wer dich sieht, wird dich schauen und betrachten und sagen: "Ist das der Mann, der die Erde zittern und die Königreiche beben machte?

17 der den Erdboden zur Wüste machte und die Städte darin zerbrach und gab seine Gefangenen nicht los?"

18 Alle Könige der Heiden miteinander liegen doch mit Ehren, ein jeglicher in seinem Hause;

19 du aber bist verworfen fern von deinem Grabe wie ein verachteter Zweig, bedeckt von Erschlagenen, die mit dem Schwert erstochen sind, die hinunterfahren zu den Steinen der Grube, wie eine zertretene Leiche.

20 Du wirst nicht wie jene begraben werden, denn du hast dein Land verderbt und dein Volk erschlagen; denn man wird des Samens der Boshaften nimmermehr gedenken.

21 Richtet zu, daß man seine Kinder schlachte um ihrer Väter Missetat willen, daß sie nicht aufkommen noch das Land erben noch den Erdboden voll Städte machen.

22 Und ich will über dich kommen, spricht der HERR Zebaoth, und zu Babel ausrotten ihr Gedächtnis, ihre Übriggebliebenen, Kind und Kindeskind, spricht der HERR,

23 und will Babel machen zum Erbe der Igel und zum Wassersumpf und will sie mit einem Besen des Verderbens kehren, spricht der HERR Zebaoth.

24 Der HERR Zebaoth hat geschworen und gesagt: Was gilt's? es soll gehen, wie ich denke, und soll bleiben, wie ich es im Sinn habe;

25 daß Assur zerschlagen werde in meinem Lande und ich ihn zertrete auf meinen Bergen, auf daß sein Joch von ihnen genommen werde und seine Bürde von ihrem Hals komme.

Jesaja 14:15-25 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.