Nazarene Commentary 2000©
21st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures©
–
21st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures©
[NCMM]
|
Locate verse: Type a verse reference like 'Romans 10:9' or abbreviated 'Rm 10:9'.
By just typing the verse one can jump to the corresponding verse on the active page (only works if the current page displays a chapter).
If a chapter and a verse is entered without a book, the current selected book is assumed.
Providing only the name of a book will bring one to the chapter index of that book.
Examples (without the quotes): '1 Tim 3:16', 'Rv 1:8', 'Matthew 5', '3:16', '8', 'Phm'.
|
THE PROPHET ISAIAH
CHAPTER FOURTEEN:
DEBASEMENT OF BABYLON’S RULER
Isaiah 14:1, 2 – Mercy on the Remnant
IS14:1 For YeHoWaH will show compassion
to Jacob, and He will yet surely select Israel.
He will give them rest on their own land. Foreigners
will join them, and they will fasten themselves
to the House of Jacob.
| 553 | Show compassion: Or, mercy, pardon, pity. [Leviticus 26:42; Deuteronomy 4:31] |
| 554 | Select Israel: Or, choose. [Zechariah 1:17; Romans 11:7] |
| 555 | Foreigners: Or, strangers, sojourners, aliens. |
| 556 | Fasten themselves: Or, join, attach, added. [Esther 8:17; Isaiah 56:6; Zechariah 8:22, 23] |
IS14:2 Peoples will lead them by the hand and bring them into their own homeland. The House of Israel will take possession of the peoples as servants and maids
on the soil of YeHoWaH. In such a manner they will take captive their former captors.
They will trample on their former oppressors. | 557 | Servants and maids: Or, slaves. [Ezra 2:65; Isaiah 60:7; 61:5; Zechariah 2:9] |
| 558 |
Take captive their former captors: Or, LXX: captives shall become captives; JPS: captors of their captors. |
| 559 |
They will trample on their former oppressors: Or, LXX: they that had lordship over them shall be under their rule; JPS: masters to their taskmasters; NJB: master their oppressors; KJV: rule over their oppressors. [Isaiah 60:14] |
Isaiah 14:3-8 – A Taunt against the King of Babylon
IS14:3 In that day it will happen that YeHoWaH will give you rest from your painful toil
– from your trepidation
– from the forced labor
placed upon you.
| 560 | Rest from your painful toil: Or, KJV: rest from thy sorrow; NJB: suffering and torment; JPS: sorrow and trouble; LXX: sorrow and vexation. |
| 561 | Trepidation: Or, disquiet, fear. |
| 562 | Forced labor: Or, KJV: hard bondage; NJB: grim servitude; JPS: hard service. Several times in the history of Israel has the nation been forced into slave labor: under Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Rome, and in more modern times to Nazi Germany. In part such was the Mosaic curse upon the Jews. [Deuteronomy chapter 28] Compare the relief at Ezra 9:8, 9; Isaiah 32:18; Jeremiah 30:10. |
IS14:4 Then you will sing this taunting song
against the king of Babylon:
“O how the oppressor
has ceased to exist – how the taskmaster
has come to his end.
| 563 | Taunting song: Or, LXX: lamentation; RHM: taught; JPS: song of scorn; NJB: this satire; KJV: proverb. The Hebrew is MASHAL
[Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #4912, proverbial saying, aphorism]. See the word elsewhere beginning with Deuteronomy 28:37. |
| 564 |
King of Babylon: Likely Nebuchadnezzar, or Babylonian dynasty. There is a lesson here to all tyrants throughout history. |
| 565 |
Oppressor: Or, tyrant, taskmaster; LXX: extortioner. [Jeremiah 50:23; 51:36] |
| 566 | Taskmaster: Or, RHM: exactress. |
IS14:5 YeHoWaH has broken the staff of the lawless
– the scepter of dictators
–
| 567 | Staff of the lawless: Or, JPS: wicked; LXX: yoke of sinners. |
| 568 | Scepter of dictators: Or, LXX: yoke of princes; RHM: despots; JPS: rod of tyrants; NJB: rulers. [Psalm 125:3] |
IS14:6 striking
peoples in rage with ceaseless blows
– trampling nations in anger – unrelenting tyranny.
| 569 | Striking peoples in rage with ceaseless blows: Or, KJV: smote the people in wrath; NJB: furiously lashing peoples; JPS: with stroke
unceasing; RHM: smiting peoples in passion with stroke unremitting. [2 Chronicles 36:17; Isaiah 33:1; Jeremiah 50:17] |
| 570 |
Unrelenting tyranny: Or, RHM: persecution unhindered; JPS: in relentless pursuit; NJB: angrily hammering nations, pursuing without respite. [Habakkuk 1:6] |
IS14:7 Now the entire land
is quietly restful.
Humans have burst out in glad shouting.
| 571 | Now the entire land is quietly restful: Or, NJB: the whole world is at rest and claim; JPS: all the earth is calm, untroubled; RHM:
quiet at rest the whole earth. [Jeremiah 27:11] |
IS14:8 Yes, even the pine-trees – the cedars of Lebanon – make merriment over you:
‘Ever since you have been laid low no lumberman has come against us!’| 572 | Make merriment over you: Or, LXX: all the earth cries aloud with joy; RHM: men have burst into shouting; JPS: loudly it cheers; NJB: shouts of joy resounding. When peoples rejoice at a nations collapse it may well prove their reigns was oppressive. [Proverbs 11:10; Isaiah 49:13; Jeremiah 51:58] Compare Revelation 18:20. |
Isaiah 14:9-11 – Babylon’s Pride Down to Hades
IS14:9 From below Hades
is becoming excited at meeting you
on your arrival – the dead arouse themselves
for you – the ghosts of all the earth!
[Earth’s royalty] rise from their thrones, along with all the kings of the earth.
| 573 | Hades: That is Sheol, gravedom. See notes elsewhere. [Where Are The Dead?] The contextual language is metamorphic. |
| 574 | Becoming excited at meeting you: Or, KJV: hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee; NJB: Sheol below is astir to greet your arrival;
RHM: Hades beneath is excited; LXX: hell beneath is provoked. |
| 575 | The dead arouse themselves: Or, RHM: rousing
up for thee, Shades [footnote: shadowy beings]; JPS: rousing for you the shades; NJB: roused the ghosts to greet you; KJV: stirreth up the dead. The Hebrew is RAPHA’ [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #7496, dead, deceased, ghosts of
the dead, shades, spirits] and is used as a figure of speech. The English word “shade” is ancient and generally refers to those dark shadows superstitiously associated with the ghosts of the dead. The idea is unscriptural. |
| 576 | Ghosts of all the earth: Or, RHM: all the he-goats of earth [footnote: bell-wethers]; JPS: earth’s chieftans. A figure of speech.
The Hebrew is ‘ATTUWD [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #6260, ram, he-goat, chief one]. |
IS14:10 All of them respond and tell you: “You have become powerless
just like us! You are just like us!
| 577 | Powerless: Or, weak, stricken, strengthless, impotent. |
IS14:11 Your
arrogance has been humiliated down to Hades
– you with all your music!
Corruption and decay are spread out under you.
Your covers will be worms!” | 578 |
Your arrogance has been humiliated down to Hades: Or, KJV: thy pomp is brought down to the grave; NJB: Your pride has been flung down to Sheol; RHM: brought down to Hades thy pride; LXX: thy glory has come down to Hades. |
| 579 | You with all your music: Or, RHM: the hum of thy harps [footnote: lutes]; JPS: the strains of your lutes; NJB: the music of your lyres;
KJV: the noise of thy viols. Great nations and tyrants have had music either as anthems, announcements of their coming, or otherwise praise themselves in music. Note Daniel 3:15. There is something of an echo at Revelation 18:22. |
| 580 | Corruption and decay are spread out under you: Or, NJB: under you a mattress of maggots; JPS: worms are to be your bed; RHM: beneath thee
is spread out corruption [footnote: the worm]; LXX: spread corruption. |
| 581 | Your covers will be worms: Or, LXX:
the worm shall be thy covering; RHM: thy coverlet – worms; JPS: maggots your blanket; NJB: over you a blanket of worms. It seems clear that the metaphors describe the grave. [Job 17:14; 24:20] |
Isaiah 14:12-14 – Lucifer Cut Down!
IS14:12 O Lucifer,
how you have been expelled from heaven,
O son of the dawn!
Chopped down to the earth, O conqueror of nations!
| 582 | Lucifer: Or, NJB: Daystar; JPS: O Shining One; LXX: Lucifer. The name is taken from the Latin Vulgate and has become a designation
for Satan the Devil. Though the contextual language is directed to the king of Babylon, many feel there is some application to the Great Adversary. Compare Ezekiel 28:12-19. The LXX Greek uses EOSPHOROS a word also occurring at 2 Peter 1:19. |
| 583 | Expelled from heaven: Or, LXX: fallen from heaven; NJB: how did you come to fall from the heavens. The word “heaven[s]” is used in a variety of ways. It may here refer to that exalted position in the governmental heights. [Isaiah 34:4] Many see a prediction regarding the ouster of Satan from heaven. [Luke 10:18; Revelation 12:9] |
| 584 | O son of the dawn: Or, NJB: son of Dawn; LXX: that rose in the morning. The language is also applied to Messiah. [Numbers 24:17; 2 Peter 1:19; Revelation 2:28; 22:16] |
IS14:13 You once said in your heart: “I will ascend to the heavens.
Above the stars of God
I will exalt my throne
– that I may sit at the assembly of gods,
in the farthest parts of the north.
| 585 | I will ascend to the heavens: Or, LXX: I will go up to heaven; RHM: the heavens will I ascend; JPS: I will climb to the sky; NJB:
I shall scale the heavens. With regard to the king of Babylon this could allude to the great ziggurats he constructed. [Genesis 11:4] The Nazarene Master speaks of himself ascending to the heavens. [John 3:13; 6:62] Compare Daniel 7:13. Note Jesus’ words
regarding Capernaum. [Matthew 11:23; Luke 10:13-15] |
| 586 | Stars of God: “Stars” are used of God’s
angels at Job 38:7. The word “stars” is also used of human heroes or princes. [Daniel 8:10] |
| 587 | My throne:
Satan wants his own throne in the Celestialum. [Matthew 4:8; Luke 4:5; 2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 John 5:19] |
| 588 | I may sit at the assembly of gods: Or, LXX: sit on a lofty mount; JPS: mount of assembly; RHM: Mount of Assembly [footnote: “The dwelling place of the gods according to Babylonian conception.”]. The JPS has it: “on the summit of Zaphron” [footnote: the abode of the gods]. The LXX Greek is HORE TA HYPSELA, so similar to Matthew 4:8 not to be an accident – HOROS HYPSELON LIAN. |
IS14:14 I will ascend on clouds!
I will be compared to the Most High!” | 589 | I will ascend on clouds: Or, LXX: I will go up above the clouds; RHM: I will mount on the hills of the clouds; JPS: mount on the back of a cloud; NJB: climb high above the clouds; KJV: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds. Compare Daniel 7:13. |
| 590 | I will be compared to the Most High: Or, KJV: I will be like; NJB: rival; JPS: I will match. [See Ezekiel 28:2.] Note the Messiah’s attitude at Philippians 2:5-7. Remember Satan’s words at Genesis 3:4. |
Isaiah 14:15-20 – A Divine Examination of Babylon
IS14:15 “Instead you will be
brought down to Hades,
[Matthew 11:23] to the extreme parts of the Pit.
| 591 | Brought down to Hades: Or, LXX: thou shalt go down to hell; JPS: Sheol; NJB: flung down to Sheol. See notes above on Sheol and Hades.
The LXX Greek is EIS HADES KATABESE while Matthew 11:43 has HEOS HADOU KATABESE. The whole phrasing of Isaiah 14:13, 14 – “will go up to heaven… you shall go down to Hades” – is so similar as to suggest a true allusion by the
Nazarene Master. |
| 592 | Extreme parts of the Pit: Or, LXX: even to the foundations of the [ground]; JPS: to the bottom of the Pit; RHM: to the recesses of the Pit; NJB: into the depths of the abyss. “Pit” is used throughout the Hebrew Scriptures as a synonym for Sheol [Hades]. Note Ezekiel 28:8. [Ezekiel 32:23] |
IS14:16 Those that see you will stare at you in amazement. They will examine you closely,
[asking], ‘Is this the one who shook the earth?
Who frightened whole kingdoms?
| 593 | Examine you closely: Or, KJV: narrowly look; NJB: scrutinise; RHM: gaze; JPS: stare; LXX: wonder. |
| 594 | Shook the earth: Or, LXX: troubled; RHM: startled; NJB: made the world tremble. |
IS14:17 The
one who laid waste to the land? And, leveled its cities? The one who refused to release prisoners to their own homes?’ IS14:18 Every one of the kings of the nations lie in state,
each one in his own sepulcher.
| 595 | Lie in state: Or, KJV: lie in glory; NJB: lie honourably; RHM: lying in state; JPS: laid, every one, in honor. |
| 596 | In his own sepulcher: Or, LXX: in his house; JPS: each in his tomb; RHM: crypt; NJB: tomb. [Ezekiel 32:18] |
IS14:19 But you are just hurled out without a grave,
just like a dirty stick
– like a trampled carcass
slain by the sword –
| 597 | Hurled out without a grave: Or, KJV: cast out of thy grave; NJB: thrown away, unburied; JPS: left lying unburied; LXX: cast forth
on the mountains. The LXX Greek uses HADOU [Hades]. |
| 598 | Like a dirty stick: Or, LXX: as a loathed carcass; JPS:
loathsome carrion [footnote: putrefying flesh]; RHM: like a scion detested [footnote: like a stick that is loathsome]; NJB: loathsome branch; KJV: abominable branch. The idea of a corpse being cast out and unburied was the worst of curses. [1 Kings 13:21, 22; Jeremiah 22:19] Compare the end-time Saints at Revelation 11:8, 9. |
| 599 | Trampled carcass: Or, NJB: trampled carrion; RHM: a carcass trod underfoot; JPS: trampled corpse. [2 Kings 9:33] A similar image is seen of the end-time Saints at Revelation 11:2, 8. |
IS14:20 something like those who have descended to the rocks of the Pit.
But, you – you will never join them in burial – and all because you devastated your own land. You slaughtered your own people. The offspring of the wicked remain unnamed
throughout all future periods of time.” | 600 | Descended to the rocks of the Pit: Or, JPS: sink to the very stones of the Pit; NJB: fall on rocks of the abyss. [Ezekiel 32:23] |
| 601 | The offspring of the wicked remain unnamed: Or, KJV: the seed of evildoers shall never be renowned; NJB: the offspring of the wicked leave no name behind them; RHM: unnamed; JPS: let the breed of evildoers nevermore be
named. [Job 18:17; Psalm 109:13] |
| 602 | Throughout all future periods of time: Or, LXX: not endure for ever; JPS:
nevermore; RHM: times age-abiding. |
Isaiah 14:21-23 – Cut Off from Babylon
IS14:21 YeHoWaH of [angelic] armies says: “Get ready a slaughtering block
for his sons because of the sins of their fathers.
They will never rise to possess the earth. Never will they fill the earth with their own cities!
| 603 | Slaughtering block: Or, RHM: shambles. On the word “shambles” see the KJV at 1 Corinthians 10:25 and compare notes in
Nazarene Commentary 2000©. |
| 604 | Sins of their fathers: Compare Exodus 20:5; Leviticus 26:39. It is a general
principle that the sins of the father are visited unto the children. [Romans 5:12] |
IS14:22 Then I will rise against them, and cut off from Babylon name and survivors
– successors and future generations.”
| 605 | Cut off from Babylon name and survivors: Or, LXX: name or remnant; RHM: record and remnant. [Psalm 9:5; 109:13; Proverbs 10:7] |
IS14:23 YeHoWaH of [angelic] armies proclaims: “I will make her a dwelling for porcupines
– just a watery marsh – and I will sweep it with the broom of extinction.” | 606 | Porcupines: Or, KJV: bittern; NJB: hedgehogs; JPS: [uncertain]. |
| 607 | I will sweep it with the broom of extinction: Or, LXX: a pit of clay for destruction; JPS: broom of extermination; RHM: besom of destruction. [Isaiah 13:21; Jeremiah 50:39; 51:25, 62; Revelation 18:2] |
Isaiah 14:24, 25 – YHWH’s Purpose Certain
IS14:24 YeHoWaH of [angelic] armies swears, saying: “For a certainty just as I purposed it will happen,
and just as I intended it will take place.
| 608 | For a certainty just as I purposed it will happen: Or, KJV: sure as I have thought it will come to pass; NJB: what I have planned
will take place; RHM: surely as I intended so hath it come to pass; JPS: as I have designed, so shall it happen; LXX: as I have said, so it shall be. |
| 609 | Just as I intended it will take place: Or, LXX: as I have purposed, so the matter shall remain; JPS: what I have planned; NJB: what I have decided will be so. [Psalm 33:9; Isaiah 46:10] God’s purpose never fails.
[See Ephesians 3:9, 10.] |
IS14:25 Yes, I will shatter the Assyrian
throughout My land. Yes, I will trample them underfoot upon My own mountains. So [the Assyrian’s] yoke will be removed, and his burden from off their shoulders.”| 610 | Shatter the Assyrian: Or, break, destroy. What is left of the world power Assyria may be seen in the British Museum. [Isaiah 30:31; 31:8; 37:37; Ezekiel 31:3; 32:22] |
Isaiah 14:26, 27 – Isaiah: This Is YHWH’s Counsel
IS14:26 This is [YeHoWaH’s] purpose that is determined upon all the earth, and this is the Hand that reaches out against all the nations.
IS14:27 For YeHoWaH of [angelic] armies has purposed and who will frustrate that?
This is the Hand that reaches out, and who will stop it? | 611 | Who will frustrate that: Or, JPS: who can foil it; NJB: who will stop him. [Job 40:8; Psalm 33:11; Isaiah 46:11] |
| 612 | Who will stop it: Or, NJB: who can withdraw it; RHM: turn it back; JPS: who can stay it. [2 Chronicles 20:6; Job 9:12; Isaiah 43:13] |
Isaiah 14:28-32 – A Message against Philistia
IS14:28 This proclamation
came in the year king Ahaz died:
| 613 | Proclamation: Or, word, pronouncement, oracle, burden. |
| 614 | Ahaz died: c745 BC. [2 Kings 16:20; 2 Chronicles 28:27] |
IS14:29 “Do not let anyone rejoice, Philistia,
just because the rod that struck you is broken itself. For from the serpent’s root comes the viper,
and he produces a flying snake with flaming venom.
| 615 | Philistia: Roughly the coast of Canaan, and modern day Palestine. |
| 616 | Serpent’s root comes the viper: Or, KJV: cockatrice; NJB: the serpent’s stock will produce a viper; JPS: asp; LXX: young of asps. |
| 617 | A flying snake with flaming venom: Or, LXX: flying serpents; JPS: flying seraph [footnote: fiery serpent]; RHM: fiery dragon that flieth; NJB: flying dragon; KJV: fiery
flying serpent. |
IS14:30 But, the firstborn of the poor will have enough to eat, and the needy will lie down in security. I will kill your root, [Philistia], with famine, and what remains will be slaughtered.
IS14:31 O gate – scream! O city – shout! All of you, Philistia, are scattered about. For from the north smoking anger
is coming with no stragglers in his ranks.”
| 618 | Smoking anger: Or, JPS: stout one. That is, the invasions of Assyria and Babylon. |
IS14:32 So what will one tell the ambassadors of nations?
That YeHoWaH has laid the foundation of Zion,
and within her will oppressed people seek refuge. | 619 | What will one tell the ambassadors of nations: Or, kings, messengers. |
| 620 | Foundation
of Zion: Or, JPS: Zion has been established by the LORD. Compare Isaiah 28:16. |
| 621 | Within her will oppressed people seek refuge: Or, KJV: the poor… will trust in it; JPS: needy… find shelter; LXX: the poor… shall be saved. |
|
Nazarene Commentary 2000©
Mark Heber Miller
©2000 All Rights Reserved
|
