Isaiah 14:12-14

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 14:4-23

The kings of Babylon, successively, were the great enemies and oppressors of God's people, and therefore the destruction of Babylon, the fall of the king, and the ruin of his family, are here particularly taken notice of and triumphed in. In the day that God has given Israel rest they shall take up this proverb against the king of Babylon. We must not rejoice when our enemy falls, as ours; but when Babylon, the common enemy of God and his Israel, sinks, then rejoice over her, thou heaven, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 14:12

How art thou fallen from heaven ,.... This is not to be understood of the fall of Satan, and the apostate angels, from their first estate, when they were cast down from heaven to hell, though there may be an allusion to it; see Luke 10:18 but the words are a continuation of the speech of the dead to the king of Babylon, wondering at it, as a thing almost incredible, that he who seemed to be so established on the throne of his kingdom, which was his heaven, that he should be deposed or fall... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 14:13

For thou hast said in thine heart ,.... Which shows the pride and haughtiness that were in his heart; and were the cause and reason of his fall, for pride goes before a fall; it was the cause of the fall of angels, and of Adam, and of many kings and kingdoms; see Proverbs 16:18 with this compare Revelation 18:7 , I will ascend into heaven ; be above all men, rule over the whole world; and so the Targum. "I will ascend on high;' unless by it is meant the temple at Jerusalem, where... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 14:14

I will ascend above the heights of the clouds ,.... Which are the chariots of God, and in which he rides, and so this proud monarch affected to be as he; perhaps some reference is had to the cloud in which Jehovah dwelt in the temple. The Targum is, "I will ascend above all people,' compared to clouds for their multitude. In the mystical sense, the true ministers of the word may be meant, so called for their height, motion, swiftness, and fulness of Gospel doctrine, compared to rain; see... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 14:12

O Lucifer, son of the morning - The Versions in general agree in this translation, and render הילל heilel as signifying Lucifer, Φωσφωρος , the morning star, whether Jupiter or Venus; as these are both bringers of the morning light, or morning stars, annually in their turn. And although the context speaks explicitly concerning Nebuchadnezzar, yet this has been, I know not why, applied to the chief of the fallen angels, who is most incongruously denominated Lucifer, (the bringer of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 14:13

I will ascend into heaven - I will get the empire of the whole world. I will exalt my throne above the stars of God - above the Israelites, who are here termed the stars of God. So the Targum of Jonathan, and R. D. Kimchi. This chapter speaks not of the ambition and fall of Satan, but of the pride, arrogance, and fall of Nebuchadnezzar. The mount of the congregation "The mount of the Divine Presence" - It appears plainly from Exodus 25:22 , and Exodus 29:42 , Exodus 29:43 , where... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 14:1-23

THE RESTORATION OF ISRAEL , AND HER SONG OF TRIUMPH OVER BABYLON . The destruction of Babylon is to be followed by the restoration of Israel, with the good will of the nations, and by their exercising rule over their late oppressors ( Isaiah 14:1 , Isaiah 14:2 ). In this time of rest and refreshment they will sing a song of triumph over Babylon. The song extends from Isaiah 14:4 to Isaiah 14:23 . It consists of five stanzas, or strophes, each comprising seven... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 14:1-23

Song of redeemed Israel I. THE OCCASION OF THE SONG . ( Isaiah 14:1-3 .) The immediate purpose of that awful convulsion of the nations described in the preceding chapter was judgment; but beyond this lies the purpose of mercy. The inspired song of Israel is ever of "mercy and judgment." One loving purpose works, whether through the hiding of the cloud and the storm, or in the manifest brightness of the calm summer day. Whether he makes himself known to us amidst terror and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 14:4-23

Triumph over enemies. The "taunt-song" of Israel, as it has been called (Cheyne), like the "song of Deborah" in the Book of Judges (5.), raises the question how far triumph over a national enemy is a feeling that can be indulged with propriety. There can be no doubt that it is— I. A NATURAL FEELING . "The song of Deborah and Barak" expresses the feelings which have usually animated the victors in national contests from the beginning of the world to the present day. The poems of Homer... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 14:4-23

Sin and its humiliations. This strong, poetical utterance of Isaiah, though primarily directed against one particular city and, probably, one individual king, may convey to us all some serviceable lessons respecting sin generally, and more especially the humiliations which are in its train. We gather therefrom— I. THAT THE OPPRESSIVENESS OF SIN , THOUGH LONG CONTINUED , WILL CERTAINLY BE BROKEN DOWN . (Verses 4-7.) Sin is constantly, naturally, oppressive. It... read more

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