Isaiah 14

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 14:22-23

These verses constitute the epode of the poem. Their main object is to make it clear that the punishment about in fall on Babylon comes from none other than Jehovah, whose Name occurs twice in Isaiah 14:22 , and emphatically closes Isaiah 14:23 . The lines are much more irregular than those of the strophes, or stanzas. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 14:23

A possession for the bittern . Some water-bird or other is probably intended, since the word used is joined in Isaiah 36:11 with the names of three other birds, and is also certainly a bird's name in Zephaniah 2:14 ; but the identification with the "bittern" is a mere guess, and rests on no authority. And pools of water . The swampy character of the country about the ruins of Babylon is generally noticed by travelers. It arises from neglect of the dams along the course of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 14:24

Hath sworn . This is the emphatic word—the new thing in the prophecy. God but seldom declares his purposes with an oath—never but in condescension to the weakness of his creatures, who, though they misdoubt his word, can feel the immutability of an oath ( Hebrews 6:17 ), and yield it the credence and the confidence which they refuse to a bare assertion. As I have thought … as I have purposed . A reference to the prophecies previously given in Isaiah 10:1-34 . So shall it come to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 14:24

God's condescension in confirming promises by oath. It is a weakness on the part of man to need any confirmation of a promise which God makes. "God cannot lie" ( Titus 2:1-15 :18); "He keepeth his promise forever" ( Psalms 146:6 ). When he condescends to swear that his promise shall hold good, it does not really add to the certainty of the thing promised, since the certainty was absolute from the first. But man is so accustomed to misdoubt his fellows that he will even misdoubt God, as... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 14:24

The security of the Divine Word. Cheyne translates, "Sworn has Jehovah Sabaoth, saying, Surely, according as I have planned, so shall it be; and according as I have purposed, that shall stand." God here declares that it is his fixed and unalterable purpose to destroy Assyria. And who can stop the fulfillment of the Divine Word? In answer to this question, we say— I. CAN NATURAL FORCES ? No, for that was settled when the Red Sea parted asunder, and made a highway for God's people. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 14:24-27

A FURTHER PROPHECY OF DELIVERANCE FROM ASSYRIA . From the distant prospect of an ultimate deliverance from the power of Babylon, the prophet turns his gaze to a nearer, if not a greater, deliverance. The present enemy is Assyria. It is she who has carried Samaria into captivity, and who now threatens the independence of Judah. Deliverance from her has already been promised more than once ( Isaiah 10:16-19 , Isaiah 10:25-27 , Isaiah 10:33 , Isaiah 10:34 ); but apparently the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 14:24-27

Divine purpose and Divine power. We have our thoughts directed in this passage to— I. THE DIVINE PURPOSE . "I have thought … I have purposed … this is the purpose … upon the whole earth," etc. God had a special purpose respecting Assyria, and he may have had a distinct purpose in inspiring Isaiah to pronounce at this especial time what it was, viz. that, in the dark days of Babylonian captivity, his people might remember its fulfillment, and be assured of an accomplishment for... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 14:24-28

Oracle concerning Asshur. The fate of Sennacherib and his host appears to be introduced in order to confirm the solemn oracle just delivered concerning Babylon (see Exposition). I. THE STRONG ASSURANCES OF JEHOVAH . He is represented here and in other passages as taking an oath that he will fulfill his Word. But in such oaths he can appeal to no mightier name, he can invoke no power more awful than his own. Homer makes Zeus swear by the Styx, the dark river of the underworld.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 14:25

I will break the Assyrian in my land . This is referred by some critics to the miraculous destruction of Sennacherib's army, and regarded as a proof that the scene, of that destruction was Judaea. But it is possible that a disaster to the forces of Sargon may be intended (see the comment on Isaiah 10:28-32 ). His yoke shall depart from off them (comp. Isaiah 10:27 ). The Assyrian yoke, imposed by Tiglath-Pileser ( 2 Kings 16:7-10 ), and (according to his own inscriptions) again by... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 14:26

The whole earth … all the nations. Blows struck against Assyria or Babylonia affected all the then known nations Each, in its turn, was "the hammer of the whole earth" ( Jeremiah 1:1-19 :23), and a check received by either caused world-wide disturbance. No sooner did one subject nation recover her freedom, than an electric shock ran through all the rest—plots were laid, confederacies formed, revolts planned, embassies sent hither and thither. The complete destruction of Assyria involved a... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 14:22-23

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 14:23

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 14:24

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 14:24

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 14:24

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 14:24-27

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 14:24-27

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 14:24-28

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 14:25

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 14:26

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