King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, [and] none hindereth.
Complete Jewish Bible:
which furiously struck down peoples with unceasing blows, angrily beating down nations with relentless persecution.
Berean Standard Bible:
It struck the peoples in anger with unceasing blows; it subdued the nations in rage with relentless persecution.
American Standard Version:
that smote the peoples in wrath with a continual stroke, that ruled the nations in anger, with a persecution that none restrained.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
He who smote{H5221} the people{H5971} in wrath{H5678} with a continual{H1115}{H5627} stroke{H4347}, he that ruled{H7287} the nations{H1471} in anger{H639}, is persecuted{H4783}, and none{H1097} hindereth{H2820}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Daniel 7:19
- Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth [were of] iron, and his nails [of] brass; [which] devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet;
Daniel 7:21
- I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;
Jeremiah 50:31
- Behold, I [am] against thee, [O thou] most proud, saith the Lord GOD of hosts: for thy day is come, the time [that] I will visit thee.
Revelation 17:16
- And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.
Revelation 17:17
- For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.
James 2:13
- For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
Revelation 18:8
- Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong [is] the Lord God who judgeth her.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Isaiah 14:6
Isaiah 14:6 is part of a larger prophetic oracle found in Isaiah 14:3-23, which is often referred to as the "Taunt Against the King of Babylon." This section is a poetic lament that describes the downfall of a tyrannical ruler, traditionally understood to be the king of Babylon, who is unnamed but has been historically associated with figures like Sennacherib of Assyria or possibly even Nebuchadnezzar.
The verse itself captures the essence of divine retribution against a cruel oppressor. It speaks of a ruler who had once smitten people with relentless fury ("in wrath with a continual stroke") and governed nations with fierce anger. The language suggests a reign characterized by harshness and possibly the merciless subjugation of other peoples. However, the tables have turned; the once-powerful despot is now experiencing persecution ("he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted"). The phrase "none hindereth" implies that there is no one to rescue or defend this ruler from the consequences of his actions.
In the broader historical context, this passage would have resonated with the Israelites who had experienced the harsh realities of foreign domination, particularly at the hands of the Assyrians and Babylonians. The message would have been one of comfort and divine justice, assuring them that God sees the injustices perpetrated by earthly rulers and that the wicked will ultimately face judgment. It serves as a reminder of the sovereignty of God over human kings and empires, and the ultimate accountability of all leaders to a higher moral authority. The theme is one of vindication for the oppressed and a caution against the abuse of power.
*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: H5221
There are 460 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָכָה
Transliteration: nâkâh
Pronunciation: naw-kaw'
Description: a primitive root; to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively); beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), [idiom] go forward, [idiom] indeed, kill, make (slaughter), murderer, punish, slaughter, slay(-er, -ing), smite(-r, -ing), strike, be stricken, (give) stripes, [idiom] surely, wound. - Strong's Number: H5971
There are 1654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עַם
Transliteration: ʻam
Pronunciation: am
Description: from עָמַם; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock; folk, men, nation, people. - Strong's Number: H5678
There are 34 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֶבְרָה
Transliteration: ʻebrâh
Pronunciation: eb-raw'
Description: feminine of עֵבֶר; an outburst of passion; anger, rage, wrath. - Strong's Number: H1115
There are 29 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בִּלְתִּי
Transliteration: biltîy
Pronunciation: bil-tee'
Description: constructive feminine of בָּלָה (equivalent to בְּלִי); properly, a failure of, i.e. (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because not, until, etc.; because un(satiable), beside, but, [phrase] continual, except, from, lest, neither, no more, none, not, nothing, save, that no, without. - Strong's Number: H5627
There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: סָרָה
Transliteration: çârâh
Pronunciation: saw-raw'
Description: from סוּר; apostasy, crime; figuratively, remission; [idiom] continual, rebellion, revolt(-ed), turn away, wrong. - Strong's Number: H4347
There are 46 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַכָּה
Transliteration: makkâh
Pronunciation: mak-kaw'
Description: or (masculine) מַכֶּה; (plural only) from נָכָה; a blow (in 2 Chronicles 2:10, of the flail); by implication,; a wound; figuratively, carnage, also pestilence; beaten, blow, plague, slaughter, smote, [idiom] sore, stripe, stroke, wound(-ed). - Strong's Number: H7287
There are 25 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָדָה
Transliteration: râdâh
Pronunciation: raw-daw'
Description: a primitive root; to tread down, i.e. subjugate; specifically, to crumble off; (come to, make to) have dominion, prevail against, reign, (bear, make to) rule,(-r, over), take. - Strong's Number: H1471
There are 511 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גּוֹי
Transliteration: gôwy
Pronunciation: go'-ee
Description: rarely (shortened) גֹּי; apparently from the same root as גֵּוָה (in the sense of massing); a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts; Gentile, heathen, nation, people. - Strong's Number: H639
There are 306 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַף
Transliteration: ʼaph
Pronunciation: af
Description: from אָנַף; properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire; anger(-gry), [phrase] before, countenance, face, [phrase] forebearing, forehead, [phrase] (long-) suffering, nose, nostril, snout, [idiom] worthy, wrath. - Strong's Number: H4783
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מֻרְדָּף
Transliteration: murdâph
Pronunciation: moor-dawf'
Description: from רָדַף; persecuted; persecuted. - Strong's Number: H1097
There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בְּלִי
Transliteration: bᵉlîy
Pronunciation: bel-ee'
Description: from בָּלָה; properly, failure, i.e. nothing or destruction; usually (with preposition) without, not yet, because not, as long as, etc.; corruption, ig(norantly), for lack of, where no...is, so that no, none, not, un(awares), without. - Strong's Number: H2820
There are 28 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָשַׂךְ
Transliteration: châsak
Pronunciation: khaw-sak'
Description: a primitive root; also interchangeable with חָשַׁךְ; to restrain or (reflex.) refrain; by implication, to refuse, spare, preserve; to observe; assuage, [idiom] darken, forbear, hinder, hold back, keep (back), punish, refrain, reserve, spare, withhold.