Isaiah 14:15
Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
"Instead you are brought down to Sh'ol, to the uttermost depths of the pit.
But you will be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit.
Yet thou shalt be brought down to Sheol, to the uttermost parts of the pit.
Cross-References
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Matthew 11:23
And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. -
Acts 12:22
And the people gave a shout, [saying, It is] the voice of a god, and not of a man. -
Acts 12:23
And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost. -
Ezekiel 32:23
Whose graves are set in the sides of the pit, and her company is round about her grave: all of them slain, fallen by the sword, which caused terror in the land of the living. -
Luke 10:15
And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell. -
Revelation 19:20
And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. -
Isaiah 14:3
And it shall come to pass in the day that the LORD shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve,
Commentary
Isaiah 14:15 delivers a stark prophecy of divine judgment and humiliation, specifically targeting the King of Babylon, but also carrying profound symbolic weight for the spiritual realm. Following verses that describe an attempt to ascend to the heavens, this verse vividly portrays the ultimate downfall.
Context
This verse is part of a prophetic oracle against Babylon, particularly its arrogant king (Isaiah 14:4). The preceding verses (Isaiah 14:12-14) are famously interpreted as a depiction of the fall of Lucifer, the "day star" or "son of the morning," who sought to exalt himself above God. Thus, while primarily addressing a historical earthly ruler, the language transcends the immediate and points to the ultimate fate of all spiritual and earthly pride that opposes God.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew word translated "hell" in the King James Version is Sheol (ืฉึฐืืืึนื). In the Old Testament, Sheol generally refers to the grave, the realm of the dead, or the underworldโa place of darkness and silence. It doesn't always carry the New Testament connotation of eternal fiery torment, but here it certainly signifies a place of ultimate degradation, oblivion, and loss of power for the one who sought to ascend. "Sides of the pit" (`yarkete bor`) further emphasizes the deepest, most remote, and most humiliating parts of this underworld, signifying the uttermost depths of defeat and shame.
Practical Application
Isaiah 14:15 serves as a timeless warning against the dangers of pride and self-exaltation. It reminds us that any attempt to usurp God's glory or elevate oneself above His rightful place will ultimately lead to a profound and humiliating downfall. For believers, it reinforces the call to humility and reliance on God, recognizing that true exaltation comes from Him, not from human ambition (1 Peter 5:6). It also offers assurance that God is ultimately sovereign over all evil and prideful powers, and their end is certain.
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