The Prophet and His Day: Isaiah 1-39 - Free Bible Commentary

happened, and just as I have planned so it will stand, 25 to break Assyria in My land, and I willtrample him on My mountains. Then his yoke will be removed from them and his burdenremoved from their shoulder. 26 This is the plan devised against the whole earth; and this is thehand that is stretched out against all the nations. 27 For the LORD of hosts has planned, and whocan frustrate it? And as for His stretched-out hand, who can turn it back?"14:4 “taunt” This is the Hebrew Wisdom Literature term mashal (BDB 605), which is usuallytranslated “proverb.” However, the poetic structure of vv. 3-21 is in the meter of a funeral dirge (i.e.,chapter 47 and Lamentations).} “against the king of Babylon” The identity of this title is uncertain. Please read “ContextualInsights,” C, second paragraph of chapter 13. Notice how in 14:24, without any “oracle” formula,Assyria is addressed directly. After the fall of the city of Babylon to Assyria in 689 B.C., the Assyriankings took the added throne title of “king of Babylon.”}NASB “fury has ceased”NKJV “the golden city ceased”NRSV “his insolence has ceased”NJB “how did the arrogance end”LXX “the taskmaster has ceased”The MT has the word %"%$/, but this is used only here in the OT. If the $ (d) is changed to 9 (r),like the scroll of Isaiah in the Dead Sea Scrolls, then %"%9/ (BDB 923) becomes “arrogant” or“insolent.” The UBS Hebrew Text Project gives this reading a “C” (i.e., considerable doubt) rating.The NKJV follows a possible Aramaic root that refers to gold. No other major translation hasfollowed its lead.14:5 “The LORD has” YHWH is the controller behind human history (cf. v. 22-23,24). He may beunseen to those who lack faith, but He is directing history for the coming of Messiah (first coming) andthe consummation of the age of righteousness (second coming). See Special Topic at 1:3.} The staff (BDB 641) and scepter (BDB 986) were symbols of kingly power (cf. v. 6). They are usedof YHWH’s use of Assyria in 10:5.14:7 “The whole earth is at rest and is quiet” The “rest” (BDB 628, KB 679, Qal PERFECT) refers to atime of peace from invasion. This same VERB is used in v. 3 (Hiphil INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT) to refer tothe rest/peace of the covenant people. Here it refers to the whole ANE (i.e., “the whole earth”).The fall of the Mesopotamian powers causes rest, quiet, and joy throughout the ANE. Theoppressor is defeated (cf. v. 8).} “They break forth into shouts of joy” Isaiah speaks often of the joy of deliverance (cf. 44:23;49:13; 52:9; 54:1).Here, it has an element of an eschatological joy (i.e., “the whole earth”). YHWH’s will formankind was rest, peace, abundance, and joy (cf. Genesis 1-2)!14:8 “no tree cutter comes up against us” This can mean one of three things.1. Babylon exported many trees for her own building projects (literal)2. the enemy will not cut lumber to build siege equipment (literal)3. the land will prosper in peace (symbolic)165