They that see thee . Dr. Kay well observes that "here the scene of the parable is changed back to earth. The corpse of the mighty conqueror is lying unburied." Shall narrowly look upon thee . Like the inhabitants of hell ( Isaiah 14:10 ), those of earth also shall scarcely believe their eyes. They shall look close to see if it is indeed the great king that is slain. read more
That opened not the house of his prisoners ; literally, that loosed not his prisoners homewards . The long imprisonment of Jehoiachin by Nebuchadnezzar (thirty-six years, 2 Kings 25:27 ) is an illustration; but perhaps it is rather the retention in captivity of the entire Jewish people that is brought to the prophet's cognizance. read more
All the kings of the nations , etc.; i.e. the other kings, speaking generally, died in peace, and had an honorable burial, each one in the sepulcher that he had prepared for himself as his final abode or "house" (comp. Isaiah 22:16 ). The care taken to prepare tombs was not confined to Egypt, though there obtaining its greatest development. Among others, the Persian kings certainly prepared their own sepulchers; and probably the practice was general. read more
But thou art cast out (see Isaiah 14:13 ). Again "thou" is emphatic. Translate, But thou—thou art cast out . The Babylonian monarch did not rest in the tomb which he had prepared for himself. His body was "cast out"—left, apparently, where it fell in battle. If there is allusion to any individual, it is probably to Belshazzar ( Daniel 5:30 ). Like an abominable branch. As a shoot from a tree, which is disapproved, and so condemned and cut away. As the raiment of those that are... read more
If we make the alteration suggested in the preceding note, this verse will begin as follows: "They that have gone down to the stoner of the pit, with these thou shalt not be joined in burial"—a repetition certainly of the first clause of Isaiah 14:19 , but with amplification, and with the reason appended. Thou hast destroyed thy land ; i.e. "brought ruin on it by displeasing God, and causing him to visit it with a judgment." The seed of evil-doers shall never be renowned ; rather, ... read more
The children of the ungodly; or, parental responsibility. "The seed of evil-doers shall never be renowned." We must not insist on a literal fulfillment of these words. It is not intended that there has never been an instance in which the children of wicked parents have attained to celebrity. Here, as elsewhere, the spirit, not the letter, "giveth life." The ill fortune which attends the sons of the guilty may be regarded as— I. A DISTINCT , DIVINELY ORDERED PENALTY . Under the... read more
Prepare slaughter for his children . Belshazzar had "wives and concubines" ( Daniel 5:2 ), and therefore probably children. The magnanimity of Cyrus may have spared them; but neither Cambyses nor Darius Hystaspis had the same merciful disposition. As soon as there was seen to be danger of Babylon revolting, they would almost certainly be put to death. For the iniquity of their fathers (comp. Exodus 20:5 ). The destruction of their posterity was a part of the punishment of the fathers. ... read more
Children suffering for the fathers. The idea finding poetical expression here is, that the judgments of God necessarily fall on the last members—the children-of a corrupt and wicked dynasty. It is in the public and open administrations of providence, it is in the events and circumstances and history of this world, and not in the secret dealings of God with each individual soul, that the law of this text applies. For the sake of moral influence upon the whole race, children are seen to... read more
And cut off from Babylon the name . It is not quite clear in what sense her "name" was to be "cut off" from Babylon. One of the main masses of ruin still bears the old name almost unchanged ( Babil ), and can scarcely be supposed to have lost it and afterwards recovered it. Perhaps "name" here means "fame" or "celebrity" (comp. Deuteronomy 26:19 ; Zephaniah 3:20 ). Son and nephew ; rather, son and grandson , or issue and descendants . The same phrase occurs in the same sense... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 14:15
Thou shalt be brought down ; rather, thou art brought down (comp. Isaiah 14:9-11 ). The sides of the pit ; or, the recesses— the "lowest parts" of the pit. With those words the third stanza terminates. read more