Isaiah 14
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
This chapter begins with foretelling a drought that should greatly distress the land of Judea, the effects of which are described in a most pathetic manner, Jer 14:1-6. The prophet then, in the people's name, makes a confession of sins, and supplication for pardon, Jer 14:7-9. But God declares his purpose to punish, forbidding Jeremiah to pray for the people, Jer 14:10-12. False prophets are then complained of, and threatened with destruction, as are also those who attend to them, Jer 14:13-16. The prophet, therefore, bewails their misery, Jer 14:17, Jer 14:18; and though he had just now been forbidden to intercede for them, yet, like a tender pastor, who could not cease to be concerned for their welfare, he falls on the happy expedient of introducing themselves as supplicating in their own name that mercy which he was not allowed to ask in his, Jer 14:19-22.
Open source ↗CONFIRMATION OF THIS BY THE HEREFORETOLD DESTRUCTION OF THE ASSYRIANS UNDER SENNACHERIB; (Isa 14:24-27) choose--"set His choice upon." A deliberate predilection [HORSLEY]. Their restoration is grounded on their election (see Psa 102:13-22). strangers--proselytes (Est 8:17; Act 2:10; Act 17:4, Act 17:17). TACITUS, a heathen [Histories, 5.5], attests the fact of numbers of the Gentiles having become Jews in his time. An earnest of the future effect on the heathen world of the Jews' spiritual restoration (Isa 60:4-5, Isa 60:10; Mic 5:7; Zac 14:16; Rom 11:12).
Open source ↗For the Lord will have mercy on Jacob, will yet choose Israel,.... While the Jews were in captivity, the Lord seemed to have no pity for them, or compassion on them, and it looked as if he had rejected them, and wholly cast them off; but by delivering them from thence, he showed that he had a merciful regard unto them, and made it to appear that they were his chosen people, and beloved by him: and this is a reason why Babylon should be destroyed, and her destruction be no longer deferred, because the Lord's heart of compassion yearned towards his own people, so that his mercy to them brought ruin upon others: a choice of persons to everlasting salvation, though it is not made in time, but before the foundation of the world, yet is made to appear by the effectual calling, which therefore is sometimes expressed by choosing, Co1 1:26 and is the fruit and effect of sovereign grace and mercy, and may be intended here; the words may be rendered, "and will yet choose in Israel" (t), some from among them; that is, have mercy on them, and call them by his grace, and so show them to be a remnant, according to the election of grace; and such a chosen remnant there was among them in the times of Christ, and his apostles, by which it appeared that the Lord had not cast off the people whom he foreknew: and set them in their own land: or "cause them to rest upon their own land" (u); for the word not only denotes settlement and continuance, but rest, which they had not in Babylon; but now should have, when brought into their own land; and no doubt but reference is had to the original character of the land of Canaan, as a land of rest; and hither shall the Jews be brought again, and be settled when mystical Babylon is destroyed: and the stranger shall be joined with them, and they shall…
Open source ↗But it is love to His own people which impels the God of Israel to suspend such a judgment of eternal destruction over Babylon. "For Jehovah will have mercy on Jacob, and will once more choose Israel, and will settle them in their own land: and the foreigner will associate with them, and they will cleave to the house of Jacob. And nations take them, and accompany them to their place; and the house of Israel takes them to itself in the land of Jehovah for servants and maid-servants: and they hold in captivity those who led them away captive; and become lords over their oppressors." We have here in nuce the comforting substance of chapters 46-66. Babylon falls that Israel may rise. This is effected by the compassion of God. He chooses Israel once more (iterum, as in Job 14:7 for example), and therefore makes a new covenant with it. Then follows their return to Canaan, their own land, Jehovah's land (as in Hos 9:3). Proselytes from among the heathen, who have acknowledged the God of the exiles, go along with them, as Ruth did with Naomi. Heathen accompany the exiles to their own place. And now their relative positions are reversed. Those who accompany Israel are now taken possession of by the latter (hithnachēl, κληρονομεῖν ἑαυτῷ, like hithpattēach, Isa 52:2, λύεσθαι; cf., p. 62, note, and Ewald, 124, b), as servants and maid-servants; and they (the Israelites) become leaders into captivity of those who led them into captivity (Lamed with the participle, as in Isa 11:9), and they will oppress (râdâh b', as in Psa 49:15) their oppressors. This retribution of life for like is to all appearance quite out of harmony with the New Testament love. But in reality it is no retribution of like for like. For, according to the prophet's meaning, to be ruled by the people of G…
Open source ↗This comes in here as the reason why Babylon must be overthrown and ruined, because God has mercy in store for his people, and therefore, 1. The injuries done to them must be reckoned for and revenged upon their persecutors. Mercy to Jacob will be wrath and ruin to Jacob's impenitent implacable adversaries, such as Babylon was. 2. The yoke of oppression which Babylon had long laid on their necks must be broken off, and they must be set at liberty; and, in order to this, the destruction of Babylon is as necessary as the destruction of Egypt and Pharaoh was to their deliverance out of that house of bondage. The same prediction is a promise to God's people and a threatening to their enemies, as the same providence has a bright side towards Israel and a black or dark side towards the Egyptians. Observe, I. The ground of these favours to Jacob and Israel - the kindness God had for them and the choice he had made of them (Isa 14:1): "The Lord will have mercy on Jacob, the seed of Jacob now captives in Babylon; he will make it to appear that he has compassion on them and has mercy in store for them, and that he will not contend for ever with them, but will yet choose them, will yet again return to them; though he has seemed for a time to refuse and reject them, he will show that they are his chosen people and that the election stands sure." However it may seem to us, God's mercy is not gone, nor does his promise fail, Psa 77:8. II. The particular favours he designed them. 1. He would bring them back to their native soil and air again: The Lord will set them in their own land, out of which they were driven. A settlement in the holy land, the land of promise, is a fruit of God's mercy, distinguishing mercy. 2. Many should be proselyted to their holy religion, and should return w…
Open source ↗14:1-2 This message for Israel separates two prophecies of judgment against Babylon (ch 13; 14:3-23). 14:1 The Hebrew word here translated mercy draws from the imagery of a woman’s maternal care for her child to illustrate God’s merciful love for his people (see also 49:15; 66:13). • God had initially chosen Israel as his special people when he called Abraham (see 41:8; Gen 12:1-3). Although their status did not change during the Exile, they faced God’s wrath like any other wicked nation because they had rejected him. • settle once again in their own land: This promise began to be fulfilled in 538 BC (see Ezra 1:1-11). • People from many different nations would join Israel as the people of God (see also Isa 2:3-4; 11:11-12; 19:18-25; 60:1-14).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God רָחַם (râcham, H7355) — to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate יַעֲקֹב (Yaʻăqôb, H3290) — Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch בָּחַר (bâchar, H977) — properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity יָנַח (yânach, H3240) — to deposit; by implication, to allow to stay אֲדָמָה (ʼădâmâh, H127) — soil (from its general redness) גֵּר (gêr, H1616) — properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner לָוָה (lâvâh, H3867) — properly, to twine, i.e. (by implication) to unite, to remain; also to borrow (as a form… סָפַח (çâphach, H5596) — properly, to scrape out, but in certain peculiar senses (of removal or association) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
Open source ↗עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity נָחַל (nâchal, H5157) — to inherit (as a (figurative) mode of descent), or (generally) to occupy; causatively, to… אֲדָמָה (ʼădâmâh, H127) — soil (from its general redness) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant שִׁפְחָה (shiphchâh, H8198) — a female slave (as a member of the household) שָׁבָה (shâbâh, H7617) — to transport into captivity רָדָה (râdâh, H7287) — to tread down, i.e. subjugate; specifically, to crumble off נָגַשׂ (nâgas, H5065) — to drive (an animal, a workman, a debtor, an army); by implication, to tax, harass,…
Open source ↗יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God נוּחַ (nûwach, H5117) — to rest, i.e. settle down; used in a great variety of applications, literal and… עֹצֶב (ʻôtseb, H6090) — an idol (as fashioned); also pain (bodily or mental) רֹגֶז (rôgez, H7267) — commotion, restlessness (of a horse), crash (of thunder), disquiet, anger קָשֶׁה (qâsheh, H7186) — severe (in various applications) עֲבֹדָה (ʻăbôdâh, H5656) — work of any kind עָבַד (ʻâbad, H5647) — to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc.
Open source ↗נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative מָשָׁל (mâshâl, H4912) — properly, a pithy maxim, usually of metaphorical nature; hence, a simile (as an adage,… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king בָּבֶל (Bâbel, H894) — Babel (i.e. Babylon), including Babylonia and the Babylonian empire אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) נָגַשׂ (nâgas, H5065) — to drive (an animal, a workman, a debtor, an army); by implication, to tax, harass,… שָׁבַת (shâbath, H7673) — to repose, i.e. desist from exertion; used in many implied relations (causative,… מַדְהֵבָה (madhêbâh, H4062) — goldmaking, i.e. exactness
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God שָׁבַר (shâbar, H7665) — to burst (literally or figuratively) מַטֶּה (maṭṭeh, H4294) — a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising… רָשָׁע (râshâʻ, H7563) — morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person שֵׁבֶט (shêbeṭ, H7626) — a scion, i.e. (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking,… מָשַׁל (mâshal, H4910) — to rule
Open source ↗נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… עֶבְרָה (ʻebrâh, H5678) — an outburst of passion בִּלְתִּי (biltîy, H1115) — properly, a failure of, i.e. (used only as a negative particle, usually with a… סָרָה (çârâh, H5627) — apostasy, crime; figuratively, remission מַכָּה (makkâh, H4347) — a wound; figuratively, carnage, also pestilence רָדָה (râdâh, H7287) — to tread down, i.e. subjugate; specifically, to crumble off גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… אַף (ʼaph, H639) — properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the… מֻרְדָּף (murdâph, H4783) — persecuted בְּלִי (bᵉlîy, H1097) — properly, failure, i.e. nothing or destruction; usually (with preposition) without, not… חָשַׂךְ (châsak, H2820) — to restrain or (reflex.) refrain; by implication, to refuse, spare, preserve; to observe
Open source ↗אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) נוּחַ (nûwach, H5117) — to rest, i.e. settle down; used in a great variety of applications, literal and… שָׁקַט (shâqaṭ, H8252) — to repose (usually figurative) פָּצַח (pâtsach, H6476) — to break out (in joyful sound) רִנָּה (rinnâh, H7440) — properly, a creaking (or shrill sound), i.e. shout (of joy or grief)
Open source ↗בְּרוֹשׁ (bᵉrôwsh, H1265) — a cypress (?) tree; hence, a lance or a musical instrument (as made of that wood) שָׂמַח (sâmach, H8055) — probably to brighten up, i.e. (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome אֶרֶז (ʼerez, H730) — a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots) לְבָנוֹן (Lᵉbânôwn, H3844) — Lebanon, a mountain range in Palestine שָׁכַב (shâkab, H7901) — to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose) כָּרַת (kârath, H3772) — to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to… עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of…
Open source ↗שְׁאוֹל (shᵉʼôwl, H7585) — Hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories… רָגַז (râgaz, H7264) — to quiver (with any violent emotion, especially anger or fear) קִרְאָה (qirʼâh, H7125) — an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) עוּר (ʻûwr, H5782) — to wake (literally or figuratively) רָפָא (râphâʼ, H7496) — properly, lax, i.e. (figuratively) a ghost (as dead; in plural only) עַתּוּד (ʻattûwd, H6260) — prepared, i.e. full grown; spoken only (in plural) of he-goats, or (figuratively) leaders… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) כִּסֵּא (kiççêʼ, H3678) — properly, covered, i.e. a throne (as canopied) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight…
Open source ↗עָנָה (ʻânâh, H6030) — properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond;… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) חָלָה (châlâh, H2470) — properly, to be rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to be weak, sick, afflicted; or… מָשַׁל (mâshal, H4911) — to liken, i.e. (transitively) to use figurative language (an allegory, adage, song or the…
Open source ↗גָּאוֹן (gâʼôwn, H1347) — {arrogance or majesty; by implication, (concretely) ornament} יָרַד (yârad, H3381) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the… שְׁאוֹל (shᵉʼôwl, H7585) — Hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories… הֶמְיָה (hemyâh, H1998) — sound נֶבֶל (nebel, H5035) — a skin-bag for liquids (from collapsing when empty); hence, a vase (as similar in shape… רִמָּה (rimmâh, H7415) — a maggot (as rapidly bred), literally or figuratively יַצַע (yatsaʻ, H3331) — to strew as a surface תּוֹלָע (tôwlâʻ, H8438) — the crimson-grub, but used only (in this connection) of the colorfrom it, and cloths dyed… מְכַסֶּה (mᵉkaççeh, H4374) — a covering, i.e. garment; specifically, a coverlet (for a bed), an awning (from the sun);…
Open source ↗נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or… שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim, H8064) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds… הֵילֵל (hêylêl, H1966) — the morning-star בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… שַׁחַר (shachar, H7837) — dawn (literal, figurative or adverbial) יָלַל (yâlal, H3213) — to howl (with a wailing tone) or yell (with a boisterous one) גָּדַע (gâdaʻ, H1438) — to fell a tree; generally, to destroy anything אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) חָלַשׁ (châlash, H2522) — to prostrate; by implication, to overthrow, decay גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight…
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) לֵבָב (lêbâb, H3824) — the heart (as the most interior organ); עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim, H8064) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds… רוּם (rûwm, H7311) — to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively) כִּסֵּא (kiççêʼ, H3678) — properly, covered, i.e. a throne (as canopied) מַעַל (maʻal, H4605) — properly, the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from… כּוֹכָב (kôwkâb, H3556) — a star (as round or as shining); figuratively, a prince אֵל (ʼêl, H410) — strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity) יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) מוֹעֵד (môwʻêd, H4150) — properly, an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival;… יְרֵכָה (yᵉrêkâh, H3411) — properly, the flank; but used only figuratively, the rear or recess צָפוֹן (tsâphôwn, H6828) — properly, hidden, i.e. dark; used only of the north as aquarter (gloomy and unknown)
Open source ↗עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… בָּמָה (bâmâh, H1116) — an elevation עָב (ʻâb, H5645) — properly, an envelope, i.e. darkness (or density, 2 Chronicles 4:17); specifically, a… דָּמָה (dâmâh, H1819) — to compare; by implication, to resemble, liken, consider עֶלְיוֹן (ʻelyôwn, H5945) — an elevation, i.e. (adj.) lofty (compar.); as title, the Supreme
Open source ↗Cross-references
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You will rise up and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show her favor— the appointed time has come.
Proclaim further that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘My cities will again overflow with prosperity; the LORD will again comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem.’”
For My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place, incense and pure offerings will be presented in My name, because My name will be great among the nations,” says the LORD of Hosts.
This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “The sons of Israel are oppressed, and the sons of Judah as well. All their captors hold them fast, refusing to release them.
Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; break forth in song, O mountains! For the LORD has comforted His people, and He will have compassion on His afflicted ones.
And they will bring all your brothers from all the nations as a gift to the LORD on horses and chariots and wagons, on mules and camels, to My holy mountain Jerusalem,” says the LORD, “just as the Israelites bring an offering in a clean vessel to the house of the LORD.”
In every province and every city, wherever the king’s edict and decree reached, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many of the people of the land themselves became Jews, because the fear of the Jews had fallen upon them.
“But you, O Israel, My servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, descendant of Abraham My friend—
In the days to come, Jacob will take root. Israel will bud and blossom and fill the whole world with fruit.
He has remembered His love and faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.