Israel's Remnant Taunts Babylon
Isa 14:5 The LORD hath broken the staff of the wicked, and the sceptre of the rulers.
The Lord...
יְהוָֹה
yehōwāh
A noun meaning God. The word refers to the proper name of the God of Israel, particularly the name by which He revealed Himself to Moses (Exo. 6:2-3). The divine name has traditionally not been pronounced, primarily out of respect for its sacredness (cf. Exo. 20:7; Deut. 28:58). Until the Renaissance, it was written without vowels in the Hebrew text of the Old Testament, being rendered as YHWH. However, since that time, the vowels of another word, ’aḏōnāy, have been supplied in hopes of reconstructing the pronunciation. Although the exact derivation of the name is uncertain, most scholars agree that its primary meaning should be understood in the context of God's existence, namely, that He is the "I AM THAT I AM" (Exo. 3:14), the One who was, who is, and who always will be (cf. Rev. 11:17). Older translations of the Bible and many newer ones employ the practice of rendering the divine name in capital letters, so as to distinguish it from other Hebrew words. It is most often rendered as LORD (Gen. 4:1; Deut. 6:18; Psm. 18:31,32; Jer. 33:2; Jon. 1:9) but also as GOD (Gen. 6:5; 2Sam. 12:22) or JEHOVAH (Psm. 83:18,19; Isa. 26:4). The frequent appearance of this name in relation to God's redemptive work underscores its tremendous importance (Lev. 26:45; Psm. 19:14,15). Also, it is sometimes compounded with another word to describe the character of the Lord in greater detail (see Gen. 22:14; Exo. 17:15; Jdg. 6:24).
hath broken...
שָׁבַר
šāḇar
A verb meaning to break, to burst, to break in pieces, to break down, to break up, to smash, to shatter, to bring to birth. The word is most often used to express bursting or breaking. Other meanings include God's actions against stubborn pride (Lev. 26:19); or a metaphor for deliverance expressed figuratively by the breaking of a yoke (Jer. 28:2). In a figurative sense, the word describes the breaking of Pharaoh's arms (Eze. 30:21-22). It also depicts the literal smashing or shattering of the tablets of the commandments (Exo. 32:19). Further expressions of the word can mean to bring to the moment of birth (Isa. 66:9); to break down or destroy a people (Isa. 14:25); to break objects of material quality (Gen. 19:9; Lev. 6:28,21; Jer. 49:35).
the staff...
מַטֶּה
maṭṭeh, מַטָּה
maṭṭāh
A masculine noun meaning a rod, a staff, a branch, a tribe. This word signifies, variously, a walking stick (Exo. 4:2); a branch of a tree (Eze. 19:11 ff.); a spear used in battle (Hab. 3:14); an instrument of chastisement (Isa. 10:24); an instrument used in the threshing process (Isa. 28:27). Metaphorically, the image of a staff symbolizes the supply of food (Lev. 26:26); strength (Isa. 14:5); and authority (Psm. 110:2). Uniquely, the word also signifies a tribe, such as one of the twelve tribes of Israel (Num. 36:3-4; Jos. 13:29). The origin of this use derives from the image of the leader of the tribe going before the company with his staff in hand (cf. Num. 17:2,17).
of the wicked... The Antichrist is particularly called "the wicked" (Isa. 14:5; 11:4) and that Wicked (2Thes. 2:8), because he is that man of sin who is to oppose God and all that is called God (2Thes. 2:3-4).
Fourteen Facts about the Antichrist
1. The king of Babylon (Isa. 14:4)
2. The wicked (Isa. 14:5; 11:4; 2Thes. 2:8)
3. Supreme power of rulers (Isa. 14:5)
4. The destroyer of people (Isa. 14:6)
5. Ruler of nations (Isa. 14:6; Rev. 17:12-17)
6. Persecutor of saints (Isa. 14:6; Rev. 13:1-18)
7. Oppressor of earth (Isa. 14:16)
8. Conqueror of nations
9. Scourge of the earth (Isa. 14:17, 14:20)
10. Destroyer of cities (Isa. 14:17)
11. Unmerciful to captives
12. Betrayer and murderer of his own people (Isa. 14:20)
13. The Assyrian (Isa. 14:25; Mic. 5:1-8)
14. Oppressor of Israel (Isa. 14:25)
of the wicked...
רָשָׁע
rāšā‛
An adjective meaning wicked, guilty, in the wrong, criminal, transgressor. This adjective is used 264 times, many more times than the verb formed from it. It means essentially someone guilty or in the wrong and is an antonym to the Hebrew word ṣaḏḏiyq, meaning righteous, in the right. Moses accused the Hebrew man who was in the wrong and was fighting with another Hebrew (Exo. 2:13); no one was to aid wicked persons in their wickedness (Exo. 23:1). A murderer worthy of death could not be ransomed (Num. 35:31); guilty, wicked persons accept bribes (Prov. 17:23; 18:5). The word may describe wicked people as murderers (2Sam. 4:11).
The word indicates people who are enemies of God and His people: the psalmist prayed to be rescued from the wicked (Psm. 17:13). Those described by this word are evil and do not learn righteousness. Instead, they pursue their wicked ways among the righteous (Isa. 26:10); but the Lord will eventually slay the wicked (Isa. 11:4). Pharaoh admitted he was in the wrong in his attitude and actions against Moses, the Lord, and His people (Exo. 9:27; Isa. 14:5).
The word indicates the guilt engendered by sinning against others, including God. The Lord moved to destroy the leaders and the wicked people who revolted against Him in the desert (Num. 16:26); the wicked are those who do not serve God and are as a result wicked and guilty before Him (Mal. 3:18). If wicked people continue in their ways toward God or others, they will die in their sins (Eze. 3:18); but the righteous do not die with the wicked (Gen. 18:23, 18:25). The counsel of the wicked is avoided by the persons blessed by God (Job 10:3; 21:16; Psm. 1:1). Several phrases became idiomatic when talking about the wicked described by this word: the counsel of the wicked (Psm. 1:1); the way of the wicked (Prov. 15:9); the path of the wicked (Mic. 6:10); the tent of the wicked (Job 8:22); the life literally, candle of the wicked (Job 21:7). All these terms describe things, people, and locations that God's people are to avoid so He will not destroy them in the end.
and the sceptre...
שֵׁבֶט
šēḇeṭ
A masculine noun meaning a rod, a scepter, and a tribe. It is presented in parallel with the word maṭṭeh (H4294) that designates a rod or a tribe (Isa. 10:15). As a rod, it represents a common tool used as a shepherd's staff (Lev. 27:32; Eze. 20:37); a crude weapon (2Sam. 23:21); or for beating out cumin (Isa. 28:27). It also refers to the shaft of a spear (2Sam. 18:14). The rod was also used in meting out discipline, both literally for a slave (Exo. 21:20); a fool (Prov. 10:13; 26:3); and a son (Prov. 13:24; 22:15; 29:15); and figuratively of God against Solomon (2Sam. 7:14); of God against Israel through Assyria (Isa. 10:24); against Philistia (Isa. 14:29); and of God against Assyria (Isa. 30:31). Because of the association between smiting and ruling, the rod became a symbol of the authority of the one bearing it; thus, this word can also mean a scepter (Gen. 49:10; Jdg. 5:14; Isa. 14:5). Also, the connotation of tribe is based on the connection between this term and the concept of rulership. It can connote the tribes of Israel collectively (Gen. 49:16; Deut. 33:5); or individually (Jos. 7:16; Jdg. 18:1). It can also represent a portion of one of the tribes (Num. 4:18; Jdg. 20:12; 1Sam. 9:21). Eventually, the term was used in the singular to denote Israel as a whole (Psm. 74:2; Jer. 10:16; 51:19). It is also interesting to note that this word was never used in reference to the tribes of other nations.
of the rulers...
מָשַׁל
māšal
A verb denoting to rule, to reign, or to have dominion over. Although its general tone communicates leadership and authority, its specific nuance and connotation are derived from the context in which it appears. In the creation narratives on the fourth day, God created the great luminaries. The greater luminary was to rule the day, and the lesser was to rule the night (Gen. 1:18). It is also applied to people who rule: a servant over his master's household (Gen. 24:2); a king over his country (Jos. 12:5); or his people (Jdg. 8:22-23); a people over another people (Jdg. 14:4). God is also said to rule over His people (Jdg. 8:23); not over His adversaries (Isa. 63:19); over the nations (2Chr. 20:6; Psm. 22:28,29); over Jacob (Psm. 59:13,14); over all things (1Chr. 29:12).
Again, the one whose fury (Isa. 14:4; cf. Isa. 14:6) would end is the oppressor who had struck down peoples and aggressively subdued nations.
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