King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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;
Complete Jewish Bible:
Those who see you will stare at you, reflecting on what has become of you: 'Is this the man who shook the earth, who made kingdoms tremble,
Berean Standard Bible:
Those who see you will stare; they will ponder your fate: “Is this the man who shook the earth and made the kingdoms tremble,
American Standard Version:
They that see thee shall gaze at thee, they shall consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
They that see{H7200} thee shall narrowly look{H7688} upon thee, and consider{H995} thee, saying, Is this the man{H376} that made the earth{H776} to tremble{H7264}, that did shake{H7493} kingdoms{H4467};
Cross-References (KJV):
Psalms 58:10
- The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.
Psalms 58:11
- So that a man shall say, Verily [there is] a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.
Jeremiah 50:23
- How is the hammer of the whole earth cut asunder and broken! how is Babylon become a desolation among the nations!
Jeremiah 51:20
- Thou [art] my battle axe [and] weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms;
Jeremiah 51:23
- I will also break in pieces with thee the shepherd and his flock; and with thee will I break in pieces the husbandman and his yoke of oxen; and with thee will I break in pieces captains and rulers.
Psalms 64:9
- And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing.
Isaiah 14:4
- ¶ That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased!
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Commentary for Isaiah 14:16
Isaiah 14:16 is part of a larger prophetic oracle found in Isaiah 14:3-23, which is directed against the king of Babylon. This particular verse is embedded within a taunt song that describes the downfall of a once-powerful ruler, often interpreted as a reference to the historical figure of Sargon II, an Assyrian king, or potentially a prophecy against a future Babylonian king, possibly Belshazzar or even Nebuchadnezzar II.
The verse captures the stark contrast between the ruler's past glory and his current state. Those who observe him are depicted as looking upon him with intense scrutiny, almost in disbelief that this is the same man who once wielded such power that he could "make the earth tremble" and "shake kingdoms." The language used suggests that this individual was feared and held significant influence, causing widespread impact with his actions.
Historically, this passage reflects the common ancient Near Eastern practice of humiliating fallen leaders, emphasizing the reversal of fortune. It serves as a reminder of the transient nature of power and the inevitability of divine judgment. The broader context of the chapter highlights the theme of hubris and the subsequent fall from grace, which is a recurring motif in the Book of Isaiah and throughout biblical literature. It also underscores the sovereignty of God over human affairs, particularly in the rise and fall of nations and their leaders.
In summary, Isaiah 14:16 encapsulates the theme of poetic justice, where a mighty ruler, once feared and dominant, is reduced to an object of scorn and disbelief. It reflects the biblical principle that earthly power is fleeting and that all individuals, regardless of their status, are subject to divine judgment and the moral order established by God.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H7200
There are 1212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָאָה
Transliteration: râʼâh
Pronunciation: raw-aw'
Description: a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative); advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. - Strong's Number: H7688
There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁגַח
Transliteration: shâgach
Pronunciation: shaw-gakh'
Description: a primitive root; to peep, i.e. glance sharply at; look (narrowly). - Strong's Number: H995
There are 162 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בִּין
Transliteration: bîyn
Pronunciation: bene
Description: a primitive root; to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(generally) understand; attend, consider, be cunning, diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct, have intelligence, know, look well to, mark, perceive, be prudent, regard, (can) skill(-full), teach, think, (cause, make to, get, give, have) understand(-ing), view, (deal) wise(-ly, man). - Strong's Number: H376
There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אִישׁ
Transliteration: ʼîysh
Pronunciation: eesh
Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה. - Strong's Number: H776
There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֶרֶץ
Transliteration: ʼerets
Pronunciation: eh'-rets
Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. - Strong's Number: H7264
There are 40 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָגַז
Transliteration: râgaz
Pronunciation: raw-gaz'
Description: a primitive root; to quiver (with any violent emotion, especially anger or fear); be afraid, stand in awe, disquiet, fall out, fret, move, provoke, quake, rage, shake, tremble, trouble, be wroth. - Strong's Number: H7493
There are 30 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָעַשׁ
Transliteration: râʻash
Pronunciation: raw-ash
Description: a primitive root; to undulate (as the earth, the sky, etc.; also a field of grain), particularly through fear; specifically, to spring (as a locust); make afraid, (re-) move, quake, (make to) shake, (make to) tremble. - Strong's Number: H4467
There are 113 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַמְלָכָה
Transliteration: mamlâkâh
Pronunciation: mam-law-kaw'
Description: from מָלַךְ; dominion, i.e. (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm); kingdom, king's, reign, royal.