PrevIsaiah 14:7Next

Isaiah 14

For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob.

And the people shall take them, and bring them to their place: and the house of Israel shall possess them in the land of the LORD for servants and handmaids: and they shall take them captives, whose captives they were; and they shall rule over their oppressors.

And it shall come to pass in the day that the LORD shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve,

That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased!

The LORD hath broken the staff of the wicked, and the sceptre of the rulers.

He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, and none hindereth.

The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth into singing.

Yea, the fir trees rejoice at thee, and the cedars of Lebanon, saying, Since thou art laid down, no feller is come up against us.

Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations.

All they shall speak and say unto thee, Art thou also become weak as we? art thou become like unto us?

Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee.

How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;

That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?

All the kings of the nations, even all of them, lie in glory, every one in his own house.

But thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch, and as the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, that go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcase trodden under feet.

Thou shalt not be joined with them in burial, because thou hast destroyed thy land, and slain thy people: the seed of evildoers shall never be renowned.

Prepare slaughter for his children for the iniquity of their fathers; that they do not rise, nor possess the land, nor fill the face of the world with cities.

For I will rise up against them, saith the LORD of hosts, and cut off from Babylon the name, and remnant, and son, and nephew, saith the LORD.

I will also make it a possession for the bittern, and pools of water: and I will sweep it with the besom of destruction, saith the LORD of hosts.

The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand:

That I will break the Assyrian in my land, and upon my mountains tread him under foot: then shall his yoke depart from off them, and his burden depart from off their shoulders.

This is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth: and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations.

For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?

In the year that king Ahaz died was this burden.

Rejoice not thou, whole Palestina, because the rod of him that smote thee is broken: for out of the serpent's root shall come forth a cockatrice, and his fruit shall be a fiery flying serpent.

And the firstborn of the poor shall feed, and the needy shall lie down in safety: and I will kill thy root with famine, and he shall slay thy remnant.

Howl, O gate; cry, O city; thou, whole Palestina, art dissolved: for there shall come from the north a smoke, and none shall be alone in his appointed times.

What shall one then answer the messengers of the nation? That the LORD hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it.

What does Isaiah 14:7 mean?

Isaiah 14:7

"The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth into singing."

Explanation

Isaiah 14:7 presents a scene of universal relief and joy, describing the earth as being "at rest" and "quiet" with its inhabitants breaking into song. On a literal level, it suggests a cessation of turmoil and conflict, invoking an image of peace and serenity.

In a deeper sense, it could represent the relief following the downfall of a tyrant or oppressor, as the context of the chapter deals with the fall of the Babylonian empire and the king of Babylon. The singing could symbolize freedom and the joy of liberation from captivity or oppression.

Top Rated Isaiah Books

Historical Context

Isaiah, the author of the book, was an 8th-century BCE prophet in the Kingdom of Judah.

This particular chapter refers to the period of the Neo-Babylonian Empire's dominance and its eventual decline.

The empire was known for its conquests and the exile of the Jewish people during the 6th century BCE.

This verse is part of an oracle against the Babylonian king, traditionally identified as Nebuchadnezzar, although the specific king referenced may be a composite representation of Babylonian rulers.

Theological Insights

From a theological viewpoint, the verse has been interpreted to signify the sovereignty of God over all earthly kingdoms. God's justice prevails over the hubris of oppressive rulers.

Some commentators have also seen this as a prophetic foreshadowing of the ultimate peace that will reign in the world after the final victory of God's purposes in human history. In Christian theology, the verse might also be seen as pointing to the rest and peace found in Christ.

Practical Applications

Practically, Isaiah 14:7 can inspire individuals to strive for peace and rest in their own lives and communities.

This verse encourages the pursuit of justice and the importance of overthrowing systems of oppression. On a personal level, it can serve as a reminder to find rest and renewal in God, celebrating the moments of relief and peace life offers.

Cross-References

"And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore." Isaiah 2:4
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28
"There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God." Hebrews 4:9
"And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God." Revelation 21:3

Language Study

The key words in the original Hebrew text for this verse are:

"rest" (Hebrew: "נוּחַ" - "nuach"): implying a state of rest, ceasing of work, or being settled.
"quiet" (Hebrew: "שָׁקַט" - "shaqat"): meaning to be quiet, tranquil, or undisturbed.
"break forth" (Hebrew: "פָּרַץ" - "parats"): to burst forth or break out. This conveys a sudden or exuberant action, often associated with rejoicing. Studying the original language conveys the intensity and joy of the liberation described in the verse.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

This imagery of the earth at peace parallels many ancient myths and religious texts that express a longing for a golden age or a return to a primordial state of harmony.

For example, the concept of a restful and harmonious world can be found in the Greco-Roman concept of the Golden Age, where humanity lived in peace and prosperity, free from toil and strife.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern scientific understandings of psychology recognize the importance of rest and the positive impacts of moments of quiet and celebration on human well-being.

While the verse is not directly related to scientific concepts, it metaphorically aligns with the recognition that rest and tranquility are beneficial for both individuals and societies.

Commentaries

Commentators have varying interpretations of this verse. Conservative scholars often see it strictly within the historical context of Babylon’s downfall. Liberal theologians might highlight the universal longing for peace and justice the verse articulates.

Many Christian expositors interpret the verse messianically, seeing it as pointing to the peace Christ brings.

Jewish commentaries focus on it as part of the redemption narrative of Israel and the ultimate triumph of God's purposes for His people.

Isaiah 14

Isaiah 14

What does Isaiah 14:7 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Isaiah Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Isaiah 14:7 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Isaiah Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?