Isaiah 14:23 NIV

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 14:23

I will also make it a possession for the bittern ,.... Instead of being possessed by any of the family of the king of Babylon. The "bittern" is a kind of water fowl, which, by putting its bill into mire, or a broken reed, is said to make a most horrible noise. Some think the "owl" is meant, which dwells in desolate and ruinous places; and others take it to be the "ospray", a sort of eagle that preys upon fish and ducks; according to Kimchi, the "tortoise" is meant; some will have it that the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 14:23

I will sweep it with the besom of destruction "I will plunge it in the miry gulf of destruction" - I have here very nearly followed the Version of the Septuagint; the reasons for which see in the last note on De Poesi Hebr. Praelect, xxviii. The besom of destruction, as our Version renders it. במטאטא bematate . This, says Kimchi, is a Chaldee word: and it is worthy of remark that the prophet, writing to the Chaldeans, uses several words peculiar to their own language to point out the... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 14:9-23

Song of redeemed Israel: the scene in Hades. I. ENTRANCE OF THE TYRANT INTO THE UNDERWORLD . ( Isaiah 14:9-11 .) The realm of the departed trembles with the excitement of expectation as the great potentate of Babylonia approaches to take up his abode in those gloomy regions. The shades of departed chiefs and kings bestir themselves, and rise from their thrones in amazement to greet the newcomer. "Hast thou also become weak like us? Art thou become one of us?' His pomp and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 14:23

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 14:23

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 14:1-23

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 14:1-23

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 14:4-23

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 14:4-23

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 14:9-23

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 14:22-23

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 14:23

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