‏ Isaiah 14:1-3

CHAPTER 14

Is 14:1-3. The Certainty of Deliverance from Babylon.

Is 14:4-23. The Jews' Triumphal Song Thereat.

"It moves in lengthened elegiac measure like a song of lamentation for the dead, and is full of lofty scorn" [Herder].

Is 14:24-27. Confirmation of This by the Hereforetold Destruction of the Assyrians under Sennacherib;

a pledge to assure the captives in Babylon that He who, with such ease, overthrew the Assyrian, could likewise effect His purpose as to Babylon. The Babylonian king, the subject of this prediction, is Belshazzar, as representative of the kingdom (Da 5:1-31).

1. choose--"set His choice upon." A deliberate predilection [Horsley]. Their restoration is grounded on their election (see Psa 102:13-22).

strangers--proselytes (Es 8:17; Ac 2:10; 17:4, 17). Tacitus, a heathen [Histories, 5.5], attests the fact of numbers of the Gentiles having become Jews in his time. An earnest of the future effect on the heathen world of the Jews' spiritual restoration (Is 60:4, 5, 10; Mi 5:7; Zec 14:16; Ro 11:12).

2. the people--of Babylon, primarily. Of the whole Gentile world ultimately (Is 49:22; 66:20; 60:9).

their place--Judea (Ezr 1:1-6).

possess--receive in possession.

captives--not by physical, but by moral might; the force of love, and regard to Israel's God (Is 60:14).

3. rest--(Is 28:12; Eze 28:25, 26).

Is 14:4-8. A Chorus of Jews Express Their Joyful Surprise at Babylon's Downfall.

The whole earth rejoices; the cedars of Lebanon taunt him.