Isaiah 14:6
4 you will sing this song of contempt against the king of Babylon: How the oppressor has ceased, and how his fury has ended!
5 The LORD has broken the staff of the wicked, the scepter of the rulers.
It struck the peoples in anger with unceasing blows; it subdued the nations in rage with relentless persecution.
7 All the earth is at peace and at rest; they break out in song.
8 Even the cypresses and cedars of Lebanon exult over you: “Since you have been laid low, no woodcutter comes against us.”
This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- It struck the peoples in anger with unceasing blows; it subdued the nations in rage with relentless persecution.
- KJV
- He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, and none hindereth.
- WEB
- who struck the peoples in wrath with a continual stroke, who ruled the nations in anger, with a persecution that no one restrained.
- ASV
- that smote the peoples in wrath with a continual stroke, that ruled the nations in anger, with a persecution that none restrained.
- DARBY
- He that smote the peoples in wrath with a relentless stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted unsparingly.
- BLB
- the one striking the peoples in wrath, a striking with no turning aside, one ruling the nations in anger, pursuing without restraint.
- ÅB
- som slo folkeferd i harme med slag på slag, som underkuet folkeslag i vrede og forfulgte dem uten skånsel.
- OTB
- som slo folk i vrede med uopphørlige slag, og underla seg nasjoner i vrede med nådeløs forfølgelse.
- B1930
- som slo folkeferd i harme med slag på slag, som underkuet folkeslag i vrede og forfulgte dem uten skånsel.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Daniel 7:19–21
Then I wanted to know the true meaning of the fourth beast, which was different from all the others—extremely terrifying—devouring and crushing with iron teeth and bronze claws, then trampling underfoot whatever was left.
Read in contextJeremiah 50:31
“Behold, I am against you, O arrogant one,” declares the Lord GOD of Hosts, “for your day has come, the time when I will punish you.
Read in contextRevelation 17:16–17
And the ten horns and the beast that you saw will hate the prostitute. They will leave her desolate and naked, and will eat her flesh and burn her with fire.
Read in contextJames 2:13
For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
Read in contextRevelation 18:8–10
Therefore her plagues will come in one day— death and grief and famine— and she will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.”
Read in contextIsaiah 13:14–18
Like a hunted gazelle, like a sheep without a shepherd, each will return to his own people, each will flee to his native land.
Read in contextIsaiah 47:1–15
“Go down and sit in the dust, O Virgin Daughter of Babylon. Sit on the ground without a throne, O Daughter of Chaldea! For you will no longer be called tender or delicate.
Read in context2 Chronicles 36:17
So He brought up against them the king of the Chaldeans, who put their young men to the sword in the sanctuary, sparing neither young men nor young women, neither elderly nor infirm. God gave them all into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar,
Read in context