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Matthew Henry

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 14:9

Hell from beneath is moved for thee ,.... Or the "grave", or the place and state of the dead, and particularly of the damned, meaning those that are in such a place and state; and the sense is, that not only the inhabitants of the earth, and the trees upon it, express their joy at the fall of the king of Babylon, but those that are under the earth, in the grave, or in hell, are affected with it, and moved on account of it, not with fear and dread, as they were in his and their life time, as... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 14:9

Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee - That is, Nebuchadnezzar. "It (hell) hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the earth; - the ghosts (rephaim) of all the mighty ones, or goats, ( עתודי attudey ), of the earth - all the oppressors of mankind." What a most terrible idea is here! Tyrannical kings who have oppressed and spoiled mankind, are here represented as enthroned in hell; and as taking a Satanic pleasure in seeing others of the same description enter those... 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

Hell from beneath . The Hebrew Sheol corresponded nearly to the Greek Hades, and the Latin Inferi . It was a dismal region in the center of the earth, whither departed souls descended, and where they remained thenceforth. There were various depths in it, each apparently more dismal than the preceding; but there is no evidence that it was considered to contain any place of happiness, until after the return from the Captivity. The prophet here represents Sheol as disturbed by the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 14:9

The Hebrew conception of Sheol. Henderson says, "In this verse the state of the dead is represented as thrown into great agitation, on its being announced that the mighty King of Babylon is about to enter. Personages of the same rank, as the fittest to conduct the ceremony of his reception, and the most likely to sympathize with him, are selected to present themselves and address him on the occasion. They rise from their thrones of state on which they had been sitting—perpetuating in mock... 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

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