Isaiah 14:21

Prepare slaughter for his children for the iniquity of their fathers; that they do not rise, nor possess the land, nor fill the face of the world with cities.

Prepare {H3559} slaughter {H4293} for his children {H1121} for the iniquity {H5771} of their fathers {H1}; that they do not {H1077} rise {H6965}, nor possess {H3423} the land {H776}, nor fill {H4390} the face {H6440} of the world {H8398} with cities {H6145}{H5892}.

Get ready to slaughter his sons for the iniquity of their fathers; so they won't arise, take over the earth and cover the world with their cities."

Prepare a place to slaughter his sons for the iniquities of their forefathers. They will never rise up to possess a land or cover the earth with their cities.

Prepare ye slaughter for his children for the iniquity of their fathers, that they rise not up, and possess the earth, and fill the face of the world with cities.

Commentary

Isaiah 14:21 is a stern prophetic declaration, part of a larger oracle against Babylon and its oppressive king. This verse emphasizes the complete and devastating nature of God's judgment upon a wicked lineage.

Context

This verse is found within the "Burden of Babylon" (Isaiah 13-14), a powerful prophecy detailing the downfall of the Babylonian Empire, which was a dominant world power and a significant oppressor of Israel. The preceding verses (Isaiah 14:4-20) graphically describe the humiliation and demise of the proud king of Babylon, who is often seen as a type of Lucifer's fall from heaven due to his immense pride and desire to exalt himself above God. Verse 21 extends this judgment to his descendants, ensuring the complete eradication of his legacy.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Justice: The verse vividly portrays God's absolute sovereignty and His unwavering commitment to bringing justice upon oppressive empires and wicked rulers. The "slaughter for his children" signifies a comprehensive end to their power and influence.
  • Generational Consequences: While not implying that innocent children are punished for their fathers' sins, this phrase highlights the principle that the perpetuation of severe iniquity within a lineage can lead to its ultimate destruction. It's about preventing the wicked legacy from continuing and filling the world with further evil and oppression.
  • Eradication of Wicked Influence: The phrases "that they do not rise, nor possess the land, nor fill the face of the world with cities" underscore the complete termination of Babylon's dominion and its ability to rebuild or spread its tyrannical influence. This promises a final end to its oppressive presence.
  • God's Sovereignty Over Nations: This prophecy serves as a powerful reminder that God controls the destinies of nations and empires, raising some up and bringing others down according to His divine plan. This severe judgment underscores God's commitment to bringing an end to persistent wickedness and tyranny.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses strong, evocative language. "Prepare slaughter" is a blunt, decisive command, indicating a predetermined and inescapable judgment. The term "iniquity" (Hebrew: 'avon) refers to moral evil, perversity, and guilt, often carrying the idea of twisting or perverting what is right. The accumulation of such perversity by the fathers leads to the devastating consequences for the lineage, preventing the perpetuation of their wicked ways.

Practical Application

Isaiah 14:21 offers several profound lessons for today:

  • The Certainty of God's Justice: Even when evil seems to triumph, this verse reassures believers that God's justice will ultimately prevail. No empire, no matter how powerful, can withstand His judgment indefinitely.
  • Consequences of Persistent Wickedness: It serves as a warning against pride, oppression, and systematic evil. While individual accountability is paramount, the verse illustrates how a legacy of unrepentant sin can lead to the downfall of an entire system or lineage.
  • Hope for the Oppressed: For those who are suffering under oppressive regimes, this prophecy offers hope that God sees their plight and will ultimately bring down their oppressors.
  • The Importance of Righteous Legacy: It implicitly encourages individuals and societies to strive for righteousness, recognizing that the choices made today can have lasting impacts on future generations and the world.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 23:35

    That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.

  • Exodus 20:5

    Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me;

  • Leviticus 26:39

    And they that are left of you shall pine away in their iniquity in your enemies' lands; and also in the iniquities of their fathers shall they pine away with them.

  • Habakkuk 2:8

    Because thou hast spoiled many nations, all the remnant of the people shall spoil thee; because of men's blood, and [for] the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein.

  • Habakkuk 2:12

    Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and stablisheth a city by iniquity!

  • Isaiah 27:6

    He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root: Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit.
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