Isaiah 14

1. For the Lord will have mercy, etc. The R.V. for “mercy” reads “compassion.” The reason of the judgement upon Babylon is here given. “Babylon falls that Israel may rise.”

4 this proverb. Or, “parable” (R.V.) mashal. This triumphal song celebrates the overthrow of the Babylonian tyranny (4-6), which causes the whole earth to rejoice (7, 8), and arouses even the regions of the dead, where the departed kings receive the fallen monarch with astonishment and exultation (9-11). It forcibly contrasts his former pride of power with his terrible fall, and describes his want even of burial, the destruction of his race, and the desolation of his land (12-23).

6 and none hindereth. Rather, “with a tyranny without restraint.” Luther’s version has “ohne Barmherzigkeit” (“without mercy”).

8 the cedars of Lebanon. For similar personifications of inanimate Nature, comp. chap. iv. 12; Zech. xi. 2.

9. Hell from beneath, etc. Lit., “Sheol (the under-world) shuddereth before thee at thine approach, it stirreth up the shades for thee, even the he-goats (the mighty ones) of the earth, it lifteth from their thrones all kings of peoples.”

11 the noise of thy vials. Here put for music in general (see v. 12), i.e., mirth and revelry.

12. Lucifer. The morning-star. A star is a symbol of royalty (Numb. xxiv. 17); and the brilliant morning-star is an emblem of peculiar glory (Rev. ii. 28; xxii. 16). It, therefore, well represents the imperial grandeur of the king of Babylon; while it was especially appropriate on account of the pursuit of astronomical studies in Babylon.

Which didst weaken the nations. Rather, “Who didst lay low the nations” (R.V.).

13 in the sides of the north. Rather, as R.V., “in the uttermost parts of the north.”

16. They that see thee. The scene has been gradually transferred from Sheol to the earth: this is the language of human onlookers.

19 thou art cast out of thy grave. On the importance attached to burial in the royal sepulchres, see 2 Chron. xxi. 20; xxiv. 16; Jer. xxii. 19.

as the raiment of those that are slain. Rather, “clothed,” or “covered with the slain, that have been thrust through,” etc.

That go down to the stones of the pit. The picture is that of a pit hastily dug on the field of battle to receive the slain, filled up with stones and trodden down.

21. Prepare slaughter for his children. Let the whole race be destroyed: comp. 2 Kings x. 11, 14, 17. None of the ancient royal family of Babylon ever regained the throne; and the Babylonian empire never rose again.

22 nephew. i.e., grandson, “scion and seed” (G. A. Smith).

Saith the Lord of hosts. The manner in which the preceding prophecy received its accomplishment will be seen from the following summary of the more remarkable vicissitudes which Babylon underwent. In the days of Sargon and Sennacherib it was repeatedly humbled by the armies of Assyria 721-681 B.C.), and the strife continued until the reign of Nabopolassar, the Babylonian king, by whom Assyria was eventually crushed (about 609). Babylon attained its highest splendour under Nebuchadnezzar, son of Nebopolassar (died 562 B.C.). About 538 B.C. the city was taken by the Medo-Persian army under Cyrus. In consequence of a rebellion of the inhabitants about the year 517 B.C., Darius Hystaspis ordered its gates to be taken away, and its walls to be lowered. In the year 477 B.C., Xerxes plundered and destroyed the temple of Belus. After its conquest by Seleucus Nicator, 312 B.C., it fell still further into decay, especially in consequence of the erection of Seleucia on the Tigris, which that king made his residence; it was then made a royal park for wild beasts, and was gradually reduced to its present desolate state.

VERS. 24-27. These verses contain a solemn reiteration of Jehovah’s purpose concerning Assyria. The language is akin to that in x. 24-27.

25 in My land, and upon My mountains. The fatal blow against Assyria was struck in the mountain-land of Judah.

26. This is the purpose, etc. The overthrow of Assyria, like that of the other world-powers, was a part of the righteous judgement of Jehovah upon all idolatries. Hence “the whole earth” and “the nations” are associated here with Assyria. “The words point, as it were, to the idea of a universal history,"—to “a scheme embracing all nations and all ages."—Plumptre.

VERS. 28-32. The new title and specification of time here given show that the following is a distinct prophecy.

29 whole Palestina. Rather, “Philistia, all of thee” (R.V.). The Philistines are spoken of above (ix. 11; xi. 14), and throughout the historical books of the Old Testament, as the hereditary enemies of Israel. They were subdued by David (2 Sam. v. 17-25; xxi. 15), and paid tribute to Jehoshaphat (2 Chron. xvii. 11); but rebelled against Jehoram (2 Chron. xvi. 16, 17), were chastised and subdued by Uzziah (2 Chron. xxvi. 6), and again revolted from Ahaz (2 Chron. xxviii. 18), and plundered the country of Judah. They are now threatened with severer inflictions by a host from the north (Assyria), which should crush them; whilst Zion, trusting in Jehovah, should be delivered (31, 32; 2 Kings xviii. 13, etc.). See, for much valuable light on the Philistines, A Century of Excavation in Palestine, by Professor R. A. S. Macalister (1925).

the rod of him that smote thee. Some interpret this of the sceptre of the royal house of Judah, now for a time “broken in pieces.” Others regard it as referring to Assyria. One ruler (Tiglath-pileser) was dead, but a worse should arise—a “cockatrice,” or “basilisk,” R.V. (great viper), followed by “a winged dragon.” Sargon and Sennacherib brought Philistia to ruin.

30 the firstborn of the poor. That is, the very poorest.

31 a smoke. Either the clouds of dust raised by an army, or the smoke of approaching fire—perhaps both—advancing from the north, i.e., from Assyria.

none shall be alone in his appointed times. Rather, “There is no straggler in his hosts”; the picture of a disciplined army.

32 the messengers of the nation. Of any nation which should send ambassadors to Judæa. Whatever revolutions may occur, God is the protector of His people, and His enemies have no cause to rejoice.

the poor of His people shall trust in it. Rather, as R.V., “in her (i.e., in Zion) shall the afflicted of His people take refuge.”

These chapters contain one connected prophecy against the Moabites, who, after the death of Solomon, had transferred their allegiance from the crown of Judah to that of Israel. Soon after the death of Ahab, they refused their annual tribute (see 2 Kings iii. 5); and they appear not only to have maintained their independence, but also to have gained possession of some of the towns of Israel (comp. Josh. xiii. 24-27), until the time of the Chaldean invasion, when, probably, this prophecy was fulfilled. The sudden capture of Ar, their capital, and Kir, their chief fortress (see note on 2 Kings iii. 25), spreads terror through the other cities, and causes the people to flee to the mountains and the deserts (xv. 1-9). The Moabites are therefore exhorted to renew their submission to the king of Judah, entreating his protection (xvi. 1-6); but this they are too proud to do (6), and must undergo sufferings so dreadful, that the very thought of them makes the prophet weep (7-12). An appendix, afterwards added, announces the near approach of the catastrophe (13, 14).