Isaiah 14:2

And the people shall take them, and bring them to their place: and the house of Israel shall possess them in the land of the LORD for servants and handmaids: and they shall take them captives, whose captives they were; and they shall rule over their oppressors.

And the people {H5971} shall take {H3947} them, and bring {H935} them to their place {H4725}: and the house {H1004} of Israel {H3478} shall possess {H5157} them in the land {H127} of the LORD {H3068} for servants {H5650} and handmaids {H8198}: and they shall take them captives {H7617}, whose captives {H7617} they were; and they shall rule {H7287} over their oppressors {H5065}.

Peoples will take and escort them to their homeland, and the house of Isra'el will possess them in the land of ADONAI as male and female slaves. They will take their captors captive and rule over their oppressors.

The nations will escort Israel and bring it to its homeland. Then the house of Israel will possess the nations as menservants and maidservants in the LORDโ€™s land. They will make captives of their captors and rule over their oppressors.

And the peoples shall take them, and bring them to their place; and the house of Israel shall possess them in the land of Jehovah for servants and for handmaids: and they shall take them captive whose captives they were; and they shall rule over their oppressors.

Commentary

Isaiah 14:2 is a powerful prophetic declaration of the LORD's future restoration of Israel and the dramatic reversal of fortunes for those who oppressed them. This verse speaks to a time when the enslaved would become masters, and the captives would rule over their former captors.

Context

This verse is part of a larger oracle concerning the fall of Babylon, found in Isaiah chapters 13 and 14. Immediately preceding this verse, Isaiah 14:1 establishes the foundation of God's mercy on Jacob and His renewed choice of Israel. The entire passage paints a vivid picture of God's sovereignty over nations, demonstrating that even powerful empires like Babylon are subject to His divine plan and judgment. The reversal described here is a direct consequence of God bringing His people, Israel, back to their land after their exile.

Key Themes

  • Divine Reversal and Restoration: The central theme is God turning the tables. Those who held Israel captive will themselves be taken, and Israel will possess them. This highlights God's justice and His commitment to His covenant people, echoing the joy of restoration from captivity.
  • Israel's Deliverance and Dominion: The verse promises not just freedom, but a position of authority for Israel over their former oppressors. This signifies a complete liberation and the establishment of Israel's secure place in "the land of the LORD."
  • God's Sovereignty: This prophecy underscores God's absolute control over historical events and the destinies of nations. He orchestrates the rise and fall of empires according to His righteous purposes.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "possess" (ื ึธื—ึทืœ, nachal) often carries the nuance of inheriting or taking possession of land or a people, reinforcing the idea of Israel's rightful claim and dominion. The phrase "servants and handmaids" (ืขึฒื‘ึธื“ึดื™ื ื•ึฐืฉึดืืคึฐื—ื•ึนืช, avadim v'shiphchot) clearly delineates the subservient role of the former oppressors. The strong verb "rule over" (ืžึธืฉึทืืœ, mashal) emphasizes the authority and power Israel would wield in this restored state, directly contrasting their previous subjugation.

Practical Application

For believers today, Isaiah 14:2 offers profound hope and a reminder of God's ultimate justice. It teaches us that:

  • Hope in Adversity: Even in times of oppression or difficulty, God's plan for restoration and deliverance is at work. Our current circumstances do not define our ultimate destiny.
  • Justice Will Prevail: This verse is a powerful declaration that injustice and tyranny are not eternal. God will ultimately bring about a reversal, ensuring that those who oppress will face consequences, and the oppressed will find liberation. This echoes the broader biblical promise of a new heaven and a new earth where there will be no more sorrow or pain.
  • God's Faithfulness: It reinforces God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises and His people. Just as He delivered Israel, He continues to work in the lives of His followers, bringing freedom and victory.
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

  • Isaiah 61:5

    And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien [shall be] your plowmen and your vinedressers.

  • Isaiah 60:14

    The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

  • Jeremiah 30:16

    Therefore all they that devour thee shall be devoured; and all thine adversaries, every one of them, shall go into captivity; and they that spoil thee shall be a spoil, and all that prey upon thee will I give for a prey.

  • Daniel 7:25

    And he shall speak [great] words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

  • Daniel 7:27

    And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom [is] an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

  • Isaiah 60:9

    ยถ Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee.

  • Isaiah 60:12

    For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, [those] nations shall be utterly wasted.