Isaiah 14:6
Isaiah 14:6 in Multiple Translations
It struck the peoples in anger with unceasing blows; it subdued the nations in rage with relentless persecution.
He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, and none hindereth.
that smote the peoples in wrath with a continual stroke, that ruled the nations in anger, with a persecution that none restrained.
He whose rod was on the peoples with an unending wrath, ruling the nations in passion, with an uncontrolled rule.
You kept on furiously hitting foreign peoples without stopping, and aggressively ruled nations with unrestrained persecution.
Which smote the people in anger with a continuall plague, and ruled the nations in wrath: if any were persecuted, he did not let.
He who is smiting peoples in wrath, A smiting without intermission, He who is ruling in anger nations, Pursuing without restraint!
who struck the peoples in wrath with a continual stroke, who ruled the nations in anger, with a persecution that no one restrained.
He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, and none hindereth.
That struck the people in wrath with an incurable wound, that brought nations under in fury, that persecuted in a cruel manner.
You attacked people many times because you were very angry with them, and you subdued/conquered other nations by causing them to suffer endlessly.
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 14:6
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Isaiah 14:6 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
מַכֶּ֤ה
עַמִּים֙
בְּ/עֶבְרָ֔ה
מַכַּ֖ת
בִּלְתִּ֣י
סָרָ֑ה
רֹדֶ֤ה
בָ/אַף֙
גּוֹיִ֔ם
מֻרְדָּ֖ף
בְּלִ֥י
חָשָֽׂךְ
מַכֶּ֤ה
nâkâh
H5221
to smite
V-Hiphil
עַמִּים֙
ʻam
H5971
Amaw
N-mp
בְּ/עֶבְרָ֔ה
ʻebrâh
H5678
fury
Prep | N-fs
מַכַּ֖ת
makkâh
H4347
wound
N-fs
בִּלְתִּ֣י
biltîy
H1115
lest
Conj
סָרָ֑ה
çârâh
H5627
revolt
N-fs
רֹדֶ֤ה
râdâh
H7287
to rule
V-Qal
בָ/אַף֙
ʼaph
H639
face
Prep | N-ms
גּוֹיִ֔ם
gôwy
H1471
Gentile
N-mp
מֻרְדָּ֖ף
murdâph
H4783
persecution
N-ms
בְּלִ֥י
bᵉlîy
H1097
without
Part
חָשָֽׂךְ
châsak
H2820
to withhold
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 14:6
מַכֶּ֤ה
nâkâh
H5221
"to smite"
V-Hiphil
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to strike or hit something, and it's used in many different ways, like in Exodus when God strikes down the Egyptians. It can also mean to punish or destroy, as seen in Isaiah. The word is used to describe God's judgment.
Definition: 1) to strike, smite, hit, beat, slay, kill 1a)(Niphal) to be stricken or smitten 1b) (Pual) to be stricken or smitten 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to smite, strike, beat, scourge, clap, applaud, give a thrust 1c2) to smite, kill, slay (man or beast) 1c3) to smite, attack, attack and destroy, conquer, subjugate, ravage 1c4) to smite, chastise, send judgment upon, punish, destroy 1d) (Hophal) to be smitten 1d1) to receive a blow 1d2) to be wounded 1d3) to be beaten 1d4) to be (fatally) smitten, be killed, be slain 1d5) to be attacked and captured 1d6) to be smitten (with disease) 1d7) to be blighted (of plants)
Usage: Occurs in 461 OT verses. KJV: beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), [idiom] go forward, [idiom] indeed, kill, make (slaughter), murderer, punish, slaughter, slay(-er, -ing), smite(-r, -ing), strike, be stricken, (give) stripes, [idiom] surely, wound. See also: Genesis 4:15; Joshua 10:20; 1 Samuel 29:5.
עַמִּים֙
ʻam
H5971
"Amaw"
N-mp
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Definition: This name means nation, people
Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.
בְּ/עֶבְרָ֔ה
ʻebrâh
H5678
"fury"
Prep | N-fs
This Hebrew word means an outburst of passion, such as anger, rage, or wrath, often describing God's response to sin. It's used to convey intense emotions in the Bible.
Definition: 1) outpouring, overflow, excess, fury, wrath, arrogance 1a) overflow, excess, outburst 1b) arrogance 1c) overflowing rage or fury
Usage: Occurs in 34 OT verses. KJV: anger, rage, wrath. See also: Genesis 49:7; Isaiah 14:6; Psalms 7:7.
מַכַּ֖ת
makkâh
H4347
"wound"
N-fs
A wound or blow, also referring to carnage, pestilence, or defeat. It can describe physical harm, like a beating, or widespread suffering, like a plague.
Definition: 1) blow, wound, slaughter 1a) blow, stripe 1b) beating, scourging 1c) wound 1d) slaughter 1e) defeat, conquest 1f) plague
Usage: Occurs in 46 OT verses. KJV: beaten, blow, plague, slaughter, smote, [idiom] sore, stripe, stroke, wound(-ed). See also: Leviticus 26:21; 2 Chronicles 22:6; Psalms 64:8.
בִּלְתִּ֣י
biltîy
H1115
"lest"
Conj
This Hebrew word means not or except, and is often used with a prepositional prefix. It appears in various forms, such as not, except, or unless, and is used in many biblical passages.
Definition: subst 1) not, except adv 2) not 3) except (after preceding negation) conj 4) except (after an implied or expressed negation) with prep 5) so as not, in order not 6) an account of not, because...not 7) until not
Usage: Occurs in 107 OT verses. KJV: because un(satiable), beside, but, [phrase] continual, except, from, lest, neither, no more, none, not, nothing, save, that no, without. See also: Genesis 3:11; 2 Kings 12:9; Isaiah 10:4.
סָרָ֑ה
çârâh
H5627
"revolt"
N-fs
This Hebrew word means to turn away or revolt, often used to describe moral or legal offenses. It appears in the Bible to describe rebellion against God or authority. In the KJV, it is translated as revolt or turn away.
Definition: 1) apostasy, defection, turning aside, withdrawal 1a) defection (of moral or legal offenses) 1b) apostasy 1c) withdrawal (negated)
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] continual, rebellion, revolt(-ed), turn away, wrong. See also: Deuteronomy 13:6; Isaiah 31:6; Isaiah 1:5.
רֹדֶ֤ה
râdâh
H7287
"to rule"
V-Qal
This word means to have power or control over someone or something. It can also mean to scrape or crumble something, like scraping out a bowl.
Definition: 1) to rule, have dominion, dominate, tread down 1a) (Qal) to have dominion, rule, subjugate 1b) (Hiphil) to cause to dominate
Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: (come to, make to) have dominion, prevail against, reign, (bear, make to) rule,(-r, over), take. See also: Genesis 1:26; 2 Chronicles 8:10; Psalms 49:15.
בָ/אַף֙
ʼaph
H639
"face"
Prep | N-ms
This Hebrew word can mean face, but also anger or nose. It is used to describe someone's countenance or emotions, like anger or patience. In the Bible, it appears in various contexts, including descriptions of God's emotions.
Definition: : face 1) nostril, nose, face 2) anger
Usage: Occurs in 269 OT verses. KJV: anger(-gry), [phrase] before, countenance, face, [phrase] forebearing, forehead, [phrase] (long-) suffering, nose, nostril, snout, [idiom] worthy, wrath. See also: Genesis 2:7; Nehemiah 8:6; Psalms 2:5.
גּוֹיִ֔ם
gôwy
H1471
"Gentile"
N-mp
This word refers to a Gentile, someone who is not Hebrew or Israeli. It can also describe a large group of animals or a nation of people, emphasizing their unity and shared identity.
Definition: 1) nation, people 1a) nation, people 1a1) usually of non-Hebrew people 1a2) of descendants of Abraham 1a3) of Israel 1b) of swarm of locusts, other animals (fig.) 1c) Goyim? = "nations" Also named: ethnos (ἔθνος "Gentiles" G1484)
Usage: Occurs in 511 OT verses. KJV: Gentile, heathen, nation, people. See also: Genesis 10:5; Judges 4:16; Psalms 2:1.
מֻרְדָּ֖ף
murdâph
H4783
"persecution"
N-ms
Persecution refers to the act of being pursued or harassed, often due to one's faith or beliefs. In the Bible, it's used to describe the suffering of God's people.
Definition: persecution
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: persecuted. See also: Isaiah 14:6.
בְּלִ֥י
bᵉlîy
H1097
"without"
Part
This word means without or nothing, often used for negation. It appears in various forms, such as without or not yet, in the Old Testament.
Definition: subst 1) wearing out adv of negation 2) without, no, not
Usage: Occurs in 57 OT verses. KJV: corruption, ig(norantly), for lack of, where no...is, so that no, none, not, un(awares), without. See also: Genesis 31:20; Job 38:41; Psalms 19:4.
חָשָֽׂךְ
châsak
H2820
"to withhold"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
This verb means to withhold or restrain something. It can also mean to spare, preserve, or observe. In the Bible, it is used to describe holding back or keeping something for oneself.
Definition: 1) to withhold, restrain, hold back, keep in check, refrain 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to withhold, keep back, keep for oneself, keep from, hold in check, refrain, spare, reserve 1a2) to restrain, check 1b) (Niphal) to assuage, be spared
Usage: Occurs in 27 OT verses. KJV: assuage, [idiom] darken, forbear, hinder, hold back, keep (back), punish, refrain, reserve, spare, withhold. See also: Genesis 20:6; Job 33:18; Psalms 19:14.
Study Notes — Isaiah 14:6
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 14:6 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 14:6
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 14:6
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 14:6
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 14:6
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 14:6
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 14:6
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 14:6
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 14:6
- Sermons on Isaiah 14:6
Context — The Fall of the King of Babylon
4you will sing this song of contempt against the king of Babylon: How the oppressor has ceased, and how his fury has ended!
5The LORD has broken the staff of the wicked, the scepter of the rulers.
6It struck the peoples in anger with unceasing blows; it subdued the nations in rage with relentless persecution.
7All the earth is at peace and at rest; they break out in song. 8Even the cypresses and cedars of Lebanon exult over you: “Since you have been laid low, no woodcutter comes against us.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel 7:19–21 | Then I wanted to know the true meaning of the fourth beast, which was different from all the others—extremely terrifying—devouring and crushing with iron teeth and bronze claws, then trampling underfoot whatever was left. I also wanted to know about the ten horns on its head and the other horn that came up, before which three of them fell—the horn whose appearance was more imposing than the others, with eyes and with a mouth that spoke words of arrogance. As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints and prevailing against them, |
| 2 | James 2:13 | For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment. |
| 3 | Revelation 17:16–17 | And the ten horns and the beast that you saw will hate the prostitute. They will leave her desolate and naked, and will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. For God has put it into their hearts to carry out His purpose by uniting to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled. |
| 4 | Revelation 18:8–10 | Therefore her plagues will come in one day— death and grief and famine— and she will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.” Then the kings of the earth who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her will weep and wail at the sight of the smoke rising from the fire that consumes her. In fear of her torment, they will stand at a distance and cry out: “Woe, woe to the great city, the mighty city of Babylon! For in a single hour your judgment has come.” |
| 5 | Jeremiah 50:31 | “Behold, I am against you, O arrogant one,” declares the Lord GOD of Hosts, “for your day has come, the time when I will punish you. |
| 6 | Proverbs 21:30 | There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD. |
| 7 | Job 9:13 | God does not restrain His anger; the helpers of Rahab cower beneath Him. |
| 8 | Isaiah 33:1 | Woe to you, O destroyer never destroyed, O traitor never betrayed! When you have finished destroying, you will be destroyed. When you have finished betraying, you will be betrayed. |
| 9 | Isaiah 47:1–15 | “Go down and sit in the dust, O Virgin Daughter of Babylon. Sit on the ground without a throne, O Daughter of Chaldea! For you will no longer be called tender or delicate. Take millstones and grind flour; remove your veil; strip off your skirt, bare your thigh, and wade through the streams. Your nakedness will be uncovered and your shame will be exposed. I will take vengeance; I will spare no one.” Our Redeemer—the LORD of Hosts is His name— is the Holy One of Israel. “Sit in silence and go into darkness, O Daughter of Chaldea. For you will no longer be called the queen of kingdoms. I was angry with My people; I profaned My heritage, and I placed them under your control. You showed them no mercy; even on the elderly you laid a most heavy yoke. You said, ‘I will be queen forever.’ You did not take these things to heart or consider their outcome. So now hear this, O lover of luxury who sits securely, who says to herself, ‘I am, and there is none besides me. I will never be a widow or know the loss of children.’ These two things will overtake you in a moment, in a single day: loss of children, and widowhood. They will come upon you in full measure, in spite of your many sorceries and the potency of your spells. You were secure in your wickedness; you said, ‘No one sees me.’ Your wisdom and knowledge led you astray; you told yourself, ‘I am, and there is none besides me.’ But disaster will come upon you; you will not know how to charm it away. A calamity will befall you that you will be unable to ward off. Devastation will happen to you suddenly and unexpectedly. So take your stand with your spells and with your many sorceries, with which you have wearied yourself from your youth. Perhaps you will succeed; perhaps you will inspire terror! You are wearied by your many counselors; let them come forward now and save you— your astrologers who observe the stars, who monthly predict your fate. Surely they are like stubble; the fire will burn them up. They cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame. There will be no coals to warm them or fire to sit beside. This is what they are to you— those with whom you have labored and traded from youth— each one strays in his own direction; not one of them can save you. |
| 10 | Jeremiah 25:9 | behold, I will summon all the families of the north, declares the LORD, and I will send for My servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, whom I will bring against this land, against its residents, and against all the surrounding nations. So I will devote them to destruction and make them an object of horror and contempt, an everlasting desolation. |
Isaiah 14:6 Summary
[This verse is talking about how God judges and punishes the nations for their sin and rebellion against Him. It's like when a parent disciplines their child - it's not because they don't love them, but because they want what's best for them. God's anger and persecution are a demonstration of His holy and just character, as seen in Psalm 119:75. He wants us to turn to Him and follow His ways, and He will bring peace and rest to those who do, as promised in Matthew 11:28-30.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for God to strike the peoples in anger?
This refers to God's judgment on the nations for their sin and rebellion against Him, as seen in Isaiah 13:9 and Jeremiah 25:15-29. God's anger is not like human anger, but a holy and just response to sin.
Why did God subdue the nations in rage with relentless persecution?
This was a result of the nations' continued rejection of God and their pursuit of evil, as seen in Romans 1:18-32 and Psalm 2:1-3. God's persecution is a call to repentance and a demonstration of His power and authority.
Is God's anger and persecution contradictory to His love and mercy?
No, God's anger and persecution are a demonstration of His holy and just character, while His love and mercy are demonstrated through His offer of salvation and forgiveness, as seen in John 3:16 and Ephesians 2:4-5. God's attributes are not contradictory, but complementary and necessary for a full understanding of His nature.
How does this verse relate to the current state of the world?
This verse serves as a reminder that God is still sovereign over the nations and will judge sin and rebellion, as seen in Revelation 20:11-15. It encourages believers to trust in God's power and authority, even in the midst of global chaos and uncertainty, and to look forward to the day when all the earth will be at peace and at rest, as promised in Isaiah 2:2-4 and Micah 4:1-5.
Reflection Questions
- How do I reconcile God's anger and persecution with His love and mercy in my own life?
- In what ways do I see God's judgment and persecution playing out in the world today, and how should I respond as a believer?
- What does this verse teach me about God's character and attributes, and how can I apply that to my relationship with Him?
- How can I trust in God's power and authority, even when the world around me seems chaotic and uncertain?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 14:6
He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke,.... The king of Babylon, who made war with the people and nations of the earth, and conquered them, smote them with the edge of the sword to
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 14:6
That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased!
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 14:6
In anger; with rigour, and not with clemency, as many conquerors have done. Non hindereth; neither the Babylonians themselves, nor their confederates, could withstand the power of the Medes and Persians.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 14:6
Isaiah 14:6 He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, [and] none hindereth.Ver. 6. He that smote the people in wrath, &c.] This is the tyrant’ s epitaph; there is at their death a general joy, as was the time when the world was well rid of Tiberius, Caligula, Nero, Heliogabalus, &c. When Domitian died, the senate decreed that his name should be erased, that all his acts should be rescinded, and his memorial abolished quite for ever. When Caligula was cut off, his monies were all melted by the decree of the senate; like as King Richard III’ s cognisance, the white boar, was torn from every sign, that his memory might perish. Aurel. Victor. Speed.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 14:6
(6) He who smote . . .—Better, which smote, the whole verse being of the nature of a relative clause, with the “sceptre” for antecedent. A continual stroke.—Literally, a stroke without ceasing.Is persecuted, and none hindereth.—Better, completing the parallelism, with a trampling that is not stayed.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 14:6
6. He who] Better, as R.V., that; the antecedent being the staff, is persecuted, and none hindereth] R.V. “with a persecution that none restrained.” The parallelism requires instead of “persecution” a noun cognate with the verb rendered “rule,” as in the preceding line. An easy emendation (mirdath for murdâph) supplies this; and this reading is almost universally accepted. The balance of clauses is then perfect:— That struck the peoples in anger,—with incessant stroke; That trod down the nations in wrath,—with unrelenting tread.
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 14:6
He who smote - This may either refer to the king of Babylon, or to the rod or scepter which he had used, and which was now broken.
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 14:6
6. The oldest and the latest writers, with few exceptions, make this verse descriptive of the Babylonian tyranny.
Sermons on Isaiah 14:6
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(Isaiah) All About Satan by David Guzik | In this sermon, the speaker addresses the fall of the king of Babylon and the reasons behind it. The fall was prompted by something the king said in his heart, even though he may n |
|
Forgiveness by Keith Daniel | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the central theme of the Bible, which is the cross of Jesus Christ. He specifically highlights Isaiah 53 as a passage that reveals the signi |
|
Beatitudes - Part 9 by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of a man who had a difficult life. He was sent by his father to his brothers, but they betrayed him and sold him into slavery. He e |
|
We Will All Stand Before the Judgment of God by John Piper | In this sermon, John Piper emphasizes the importance of having a genuine faith in Jesus Christ. He explains that it is not the quantity of good or evil deeds that saves a person, b |
|
I Know What Your Calling Is! by Carter Conlon | This sermon emphasizes the critical calling on the church in a season of history, urging believers to stand in the gap for mercy and restoration. It highlights the need for interce |
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(The Church in the Last Days) 04 - Double Minded Adulteress by Milton Green | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of following the Word of God rather than the traditions of men. He warns against judging others, as judgment will be returned |
|
What God Requires - Mercy by Zac Poonen | This sermon emphasizes the importance of being merciful and treating others with kindness and dignity, highlighting the need to show mercy and be fair to those around us. It delves |