Isaiah 14:17

[That] made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; [that] opened not the house of his prisoners?

That made {H7760} the world {H8398} as a wilderness {H4057}, and destroyed {H2040} the cities {H5892} thereof; that opened {H6605} not the house {H1004} of his prisoners {H615}?

who made the world a desert, who destroyed its cities, who would not set his prisoners free?'

who turned the world into a desert and destroyed its cities, who refused to let the captives return to their homes?โ€

that made the world as a wilderness, and overthrew the cities thereof; that let not loose his prisoners to their home?

Commentary

Isaiah 14:17 is part of a powerful prophetic oracle, or "taunt," against the King of Babylon, following his anticipated downfall. This verse vividly describes the devastating impact of his tyrannical reign, emphasizing his ruthless cruelty and the widespread destruction he wrought.

Context

This verse is found within Isaiah 14:4-21, a dramatic poetic lament over the demise of the oppressor, traditionally identified as the Babylonian king who tyrannized Israel. The imagery is so grand and far-reaching that many interpreters also see in this passage a deeper, spiritual meaning, hinting at the fall of Lucifer or Satan himself, the ultimate oppressor. The prophet Isaiah is delivering God's judgment against a powerful empire known for its military might and expansionist policies in the ancient Near East, which left nations in ruin and peoples enslaved.

Key Themes

  • Desolation and Destruction: The phrase "made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof" paints a picture of utter devastation. The king's conquests were not merely about victory but about leaving behind a barren landscape, stripping lands of their vitality and rendering urban centers uninhabitable. This reflects the destructive nature of unchecked human pride and ambition.
  • Cruelty and Inhumanity: The poignant question, "that opened not the house of his prisoners?", highlights a profound lack of mercy. In ancient warfare, taking prisoners was common, but holding them captive indefinitely without hope of release, often in harsh conditions, was a mark of extreme cruelty. This contrasts sharply with God's character, who is often depicted as a liberator of the oppressed (Psalm 68:6).
  • Divine Justice: Implicit in this taunt is the principle of divine justice. The king's downfall is presented as a direct consequence of his arrogance and destructive actions. God, who ultimately controls the destinies of nations, will not allow such oppressive rule to continue indefinitely. This serves as a warning to all who wield power unjustly.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "wilderness" here is midbar (ืžึดื“ึฐื‘ึผึธืจ), which often refers to a barren, uninhabited region, but in this context, it emphasizes the deliberate act of turning fertile or populated areas into desolate wastes. The phrase "opened not the house of his prisoners" graphically portrays the king's refusal to grant freedom or mercy, keeping his captives perpetually enslaved. The word "house" (ื‘ึผึธื™ึดืช - bayit) can refer to a dwelling or prison, underscoring the permanent confinement.

Practical Application

Isaiah 14:17 serves as a timeless reminder of the dangers of unchecked power and the devastating consequences of tyranny. It underscores God's deep concern for justice and the oppressed. For believers, it reinforces the truth that no human empire or ruler, no matter how powerful, can ultimately thwart God's sovereign plan. It encourages us to pray for and work towards justice, advocating for the release of those unjustly imprisoned and for the restoration of lands and communities ravaged by conflict. Ultimately, it points to a future hope where God himself will bring an end to all oppression and establish a reign of peace and justice (Isaiah 11:4).

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

  • Joel 2:3

    A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land [is] as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them.

  • Isaiah 13:19

    ยถ And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.

  • Isaiah 13:22

    And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate houses, and dragons in [their] pleasant palaces: and her time [is] near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged.

  • Ezra 1:2

    Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which [is] in Judah.

  • Ezra 1:4

    And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God that [is] in Jerusalem.

  • 2 Chronicles 28:8

    And the children of Israel carried away captive of their brethren two hundred thousand, women, sons, and daughters, and took also away much spoil from them, and brought the spoil to Samaria.

  • 2 Chronicles 28:15

    And the men which were expressed by name rose up, and took the captives, and with the spoil clothed all that were naked among them, and arrayed them, and shod them, and gave them to eat and to drink, and anointed them, and carried all the feeble of them upon asses, and brought them to Jericho, the city of palm trees, to their brethren: then they returned to Samaria.
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