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

The stars were viewed as angels/gods who controlled human destiny (i.e., Babylonian astralworship from Ziggurats). This person wanted total control over the earth.} “I will sit on the mount of assemblyIn the recesses of the north” This is a symbol of God’s abode (cf. Ps. 48:2; Ezek. 28:14). Thesurprising thing is its location “in the recesses of the north.” This mountain of the gods in the far northwas part of Canaanite mythology, similar to the Greek Mount Olympus.14:14 “Most High” This title Elyon, 0&*-3 (BDB 751 II), is used by Balaam in Num. 24:16 and isparallel to Shaddai (i.e., Almighty, BDB 994). It is used by Moses in his Song before his death in Deut.32:8, as well as David in II Sam. 22:14 and in several Psalms.It is also used in the Ras Shamra Tablets for the Canaanite High god.14:15 Instead of going to the mountain in the far (BDB 438) north, he will go down to the depths (BDB438), Sheol.The term Sheol (BDB 982, see Special Topic at 5:14) is parallel to “the pit” (BDB 92, cf. Ezek.31:16), which is another name for the grave (cf. Pro. 28:17). The same term is used in v. 19 and isparallel to tomb/sepulcher (cf. v. 18).14:16-19 This is the forth strophe; it refers to the astonishment of the on-lookers in Sheol at the body ofthe dead King of Babylon. It is similar to vv. 9-11.14:17 This verse denotes the aggressive deportation practices of both Assyria and Babylon. Thispopulation control mechanism is reversed by Cyrus II (Medo-Persia) in 538 B.C.14:19 “a rejected branch” This same term (BDB 666) is used in 6:13 of “the holy seed in the stump”and in 11:1 of the stem/shoot from Jesse, both of which refer to the Messiah, the true King. The kingsof ANE are a “rejected branch”!} “Like a trampled corpse” This speaks of the humiliation of an improper burial (possible referenceto Sargon II). Not only did the king miss the royal funeral, he missed burial altogether!The term “trampled” (BDB 100, KB 115, Hophal PARTICIPLE) is also used in v. 25 (QalIMPERFECT). It was a metaphor of YHWH’s judgment (cf. 63:6, Qal IMPERFECT and 63:18, PolelPERFECT). The Psalms use it regularly for the covenant people’s victory over enemies through YHWH’spower and presence (cf. Ps. 44:5; 60:12; 108:13). A disobedient covenant people trample God’s land(cf. Jer. 12:10; Polel PERFECT).14:20 Not only will the arrogant king be denied a proper burial, he will not be succeeded by a familymember. He and his family will be cut off. His own country will not remember him!14:21 The king’s descendants will be killed because of their father’s sins. This reflects Exod. 20:5. Theking and his wicked nation must not be allowed to prosper. YHWH wants the earth full, but not ofunrighteousness.14:22-23 This forms a prose conclusion. It seems to me that v. 23 is related to 13:21-22, which is ametaphor to describe the total desolation of this nation, this king, and his city.14:22 “offspring and posterity” These two terms (BDB 630 and 645) refer to descendants.1. the first, current children2. the second, the family tree or lineage168