Isaiah 14:10

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

All they shall speak {H6030} and say {H559} unto thee, Art thou also become weak {H2470} as we? art thou become like {H4911} unto us?

They all greet you with these words: 'Now you are as weak as we are, you have become like us!

They will all respond to you, saying, โ€œYou too have become weak, as we are; you have become like us!โ€

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

Commentary

Isaiah 14:10 is part of a powerful prophetic taunt song against the king of Babylon, depicting his dramatic fall from immense power to utter weakness in the realm of the dead. Itโ€™s a vivid scene of ironic reversal, where the deceased kings and mighty ones, already in Sheol, mock the once-dominant ruler as he joins them.

Context

This verse is found within a broader prophecy in Isaiah 13-14, primarily directed at Babylon, a formidable empire known for its might and oppressive rule over Judah. The "taunt song" (Isaiah 14:4-21) celebrates the downfall of the Babylonian king, who had previously boasted of ascending to the heavens. The imagery paints a picture of the dead rising from their thrones to greet him, not with honor, but with derision, highlighting his sudden and humiliating reduction to their level. This prophecy serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty over nations and their rulers.

Key Themes

  • The Downfall of Pride: The central message is the ultimate humiliation of an arrogant ruler. The king of Babylon, who aspired to be like the Most High, is brought low, fulfilling the biblical principle that pride goes before destruction. His former victims and peers in death marvel at his reduced state.
  • Mortality and Equality in Death: Despite his earthly power, wealth, and perceived invincibility, the king of Babylon is ultimately subject to the same fate as all mortals. Death acts as a great equalizer, stripping away all earthly distinctions and power.
  • Divine Judgment: The passage underscores God's absolute control over human history and kingdoms. The fall of Babylon is not random but a direct consequence of divine judgment against its arrogance and cruelty, demonstrating God's ultimate sovereignty over earthly kingdoms.

Linguistic Insights

The rhetorical questions, "Art thou also become weak as we? art thou become like unto us?" emphasize the shock and disbelief of the deceased. The Hebrew word for the realm of the dead, Sheol (ืฉืึฐืื•ึนืœ), though not explicitly in this verse, is the setting for this entire taunt, representing a shadowy underworld where all, regardless of earthly status, eventually reside. The use of "also" (ื’ึทึผื) highlights the irony that even this mighty king has joined the ranks of the powerless dead.

Practical Application

Isaiah 14:10 offers profound lessons for all generations:

  • Humility: It serves as a stark warning against pride and self-exaltation. Earthly power, status, or wealth are temporary and fleeting. True strength and wisdom lie in humility before God.
  • God's Justice Prevails: For those who suffer under oppressive regimes, this verse offers hope that even the most powerful human systems and leaders are ultimately accountable to God and will face His justice. This theme of divine judgment against oppressive systems is echoed throughout Scripture.
  • The Leveling Effect of Mortality: It reminds us of our shared human mortality. Regardless of our achievements or failures in this life, we all face death, and in that, we are made equal. This perspective can help us prioritize eternal values over temporary earthly pursuits.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ecclesiastes 2:16

    For [there is] no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now [is] in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise [man]? as the fool.

  • Psalms 49:20

    Man [that is] in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts [that] perish.

  • Psalms 82:6

    ยถ I have said, Ye [are] gods; and all of you [are] children of the most High.

  • Psalms 82:7

    But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.

  • Ezekiel 32:21

    The strong among the mighty shall speak to him out of the midst of hell with them that help him: they are gone down, they lie uncircumcised, slain by the sword.

  • Psalms 49:6

    ยถ They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;

  • Psalms 49:14

    Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.
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