Isaiah 14:18

All the kings of the nations, [even] all of them, lie in glory, every one in his own house.

All the kings {H4428} of the nations {H1471}, even all of them, lie {H7901} in glory {H3519}, every one {H376} in his own house {H1004}.

"All other kings of the nations, all of them, lie in glory, each in his tomb.

All the kings of the nations lie in state, each in his own tomb.

All the kings of the nations, all of them, sleep in glory, every one in his own house.

Isaiah 14:18 is part of a powerful taunt-song against the king of Babylon, delivered by the prophet Isaiah. This passage vividly contrasts the typical dignified burial of ancient kings with the ignominious fate awaiting the proud Babylonian ruler.

Context

This verse is found within a prophetic lament (Isaiah 14:4-23) foretelling the downfall of Babylon and its oppressive king. The preceding verses (Isaiah 14:9-11) describe the underworld, or Sheol, stirring to greet the fallen king of Babylon. Other deceased kings, who had once held great power, rise from their resting places to mock him, astonished that he, too, has become weak and humbled. This particular verse sets the stage for the stark contrast that follows, emphasizing the norm before revealing the exception.

Key Themes

  • Dignified Rest for Kings: The phrase "lie in glory, every one in his own house" describes the customary elaborate and respected burial of kings from various nations. "Glory" here refers to the pomp, honor, and elaborate funeral rites associated with royal deaths, while "house" signifies their grand tombs or burial chambers, which were often seen as their eternal dwelling.
  • The Norm vs. The Exception: This verse establishes the expected, honorable treatment of deceased rulers. It highlights that, typically, even after death, kings are laid to rest with respect and ceremony. This sets up a dramatic contrast with the specific, humiliating fate prophesied for the king of Babylon in the following verses (Isaiah 14:19-20), who would not receive such a dignified burial due to his extreme pride and cruelty.
  • Humiliation of Pride: The broader theme of Isaiah 14 is the divine judgment against human arrogance. The fact that other kings, despite their earthly power, received a proper burial underscores the extraordinary disgrace reserved for the king of Babylon, whose pride led to his utter downfall and a burial unfit for a king. This echoes a principle seen elsewhere in Scripture about the fall that follows pride.

Linguistic Insights

The term "glory" (Hebrew: kabod) in this context refers not to divine glory, but to the earthly honor, wealth, and prestige associated with royalty. It implies the elaborate funeral arrangements, rich grave goods, and monumental tombs that marked the burial sites of powerful rulers in the ancient Near East. The "house" (Hebrew: bayith) refers to their burial chambers, sepulchres, or mausoleums, which were often grand structures built to commemorate their reign.

Practical Application

Isaiah 14:18, while describing ancient burial practices, serves as a powerful setup for a profound spiritual lesson. It reminds us that while earthly honors and achievements may grant a dignified repose in this life, true lasting honor comes from humility before God, not from oppressive power or self-exaltation. The ultimate fate of individuals, regardless of their earthly status, is determined by their character and actions, particularly their relationship with the divine. It underscores the temporary nature of worldly power and the certainty of divine judgment for unchecked pride and tyranny.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 2 Chronicles 24:25

    And when they were departed from him, (for they left him in great diseases,) his own servants conspired against him for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and slew him on his bed, and he died: and they buried him in the city of David, but they buried him not in the sepulchres of the kings.

  • Job 30:23

    For I know [that] thou wilt bring me [to] death, and [to] the house appointed for all living.

  • Ezekiel 32:18

    Son of man, wail for the multitude of Egypt, and cast them down, [even] her, and the daughters of the famous nations, unto the nether parts of the earth, with them that go down into the pit.

  • Ezekiel 32:32

    For I have caused my terror in the land of the living: and he shall be laid in the midst of the uncircumcised with [them that are] slain with the sword, [even] Pharaoh and all his multitude, saith the Lord GOD.

  • 2 Chronicles 24:16

    And they buried him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel, both toward God, and toward his house.

  • Isaiah 22:16

    What hast thou here? and whom hast thou here, that thou hast hewed thee out a sepulchre here, [as] he that heweth him out a sepulchre on high, [and] that graveth an habitation for himself in a rock?

  • Ecclesiastes 6:3

    If a man beget an hundred [children], and live many years, so that the days of his years be many, and his soul be not filled with good, and also [that] he have no burial; I say, [that] an untimely birth [is] better than he.

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