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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Isaiah 14:17 who turned the world into a desert and destroyed its cities, who refused to let the captives return to their homes?"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/isaiah/14-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/23_Isa_14_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Isaiah 14:17 - Downfall of the King of Babylon" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="who turned the world into a desert and destroyed its cities, who refused to let the captives return to their homes?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/isaiah/14-17.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/isaiah/14-17.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/isaiah/">Isaiah</a> > <a href="/isaiah/14.htm">Chapter 14</a> > Verse 17</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad17.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/isaiah/14-16.htm" title="Isaiah 14:16">◄</a> Isaiah 14:17 <a href="/isaiah/14-18.htm" title="Isaiah 14:18">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/isaiah/14.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/isaiah/14.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />the man who made the world a wilderness, who overthrew its cities and would not let his captives go home?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/isaiah/14.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Is this the one who destroyed the world and made it into a wasteland? Is this the king who demolished the world’s greatest cities and had no mercy on his prisoners?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/isaiah/14.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />who made the world like a desert and overthrew its cities, who did not let his prisoners go home?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/14.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />who turned the world into a desert and destroyed its cities, who refused to let the captives return to their homes?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/isaiah/14.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br /><i>That</i> made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; <i>that</i> opened not the house of his prisoners?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/isaiah/14.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Who made the world as a wilderness And destroyed its cities, <i>Who</i> did not open the house of his prisoners?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/isaiah/14.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Who made the world like a wilderness And overthrew its cities, Who did not allow his prisoners to <i>go</i> home?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/isaiah/14.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Who made the world like a wilderness And overthrew its cities, Who did not allow his prisoners to go home?&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/isaiah/14.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Who made the world like a wilderness And overthrew its cities, Who did not allow his prisoners to <i>go</i> home?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/isaiah/14.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Who made the world like a wilderness And pulled down its cities, Who did not allow his prisoners to <i>go</i> home?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/isaiah/14.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Who made the world like a wilderness And overthrew its cities, Who did not permit his prisoners to return home?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/isaiah/14.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />who turned the world into a wilderness, who destroyed its cities and would not release the prisoners to return home? ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/isaiah/14.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />who turned the world into a wilderness, who destroyed its cities and would not release the prisoners to return home?&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/isaiah/14.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />that made the world as a wilderness, and overthrew the cities thereof; that let not loose his prisoners to their home?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/isaiah/14.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Did he capture every city and make earth a desert? Is he the one who refused to let prisoners go home?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/isaiah/14.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />that made the world as a wilderness, and overthrew the cities thereof; that let not loose his prisoners to their home?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/isaiah/14.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />who made the world like a desert and tore down its cities, who didn't let his prisoners go home?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/isaiah/14.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Is this the man who destroyed cities and turned the world into a desert? Is this the man who never freed his prisoners or let them go home?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/isaiah/14.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />who made the world like a desert, who destroyed its cities, who would not open the jails for his prisoners?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/isaiah/14.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />who turned the world into a desert and destroyed its cities, who refused to let the captives return to their homes??<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/isaiah/14.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Is this the one who made the world like a desert, who ruined its cities, and refused to free his prisoners so they could return home?"' <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/isaiah/14.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />who made the world like a wilderness, and overthrew its cities; who did not release his prisoners to their home?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/isaiah/14.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed its cities; that opened not the house of his prisoners?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/isaiah/14.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />who made the world like a wilderness, and overthrew its cities, who didn’t release his prisoners to their home?” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/isaiah/14.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />He has made the world as a wilderness, "" And he has broken down his cities, "" He did not open the house of his bound ones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/isaiah/14.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> He hath made the world as a wilderness, And his cities he hath broken down, Of his bound ones he opened not the house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/isaiah/14.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Setting the habitable globe as a desert, and destroying its cities: for his bound opening not the house.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/isaiah/14.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />That made the world a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof, that opened not the prison to his prisoners? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/isaiah/14.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />who made the world into a desert and destroyed its cities, who would not even open a prison for his prisoners?’ ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/isaiah/14.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Who made the world a wilderness, razed its cities, and gave captives no release?” <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/14.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />who made the world like a desert and overthrew its cities, who would not let his prisoners go home?”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/14.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Who made the world as a wilderness and destroyed its cities; who did not free his prisoners?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/isaiah/14.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And he laid waste to the world as a wilderness, and he has ruined the cities and he did not release his prisoners’<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/isaiah/14.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />That made the world as a wilderness, And destroyed the cities thereof; That opened not the house of his prisoners?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/isaiah/14.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />that made the whole world desolate, and destroyed its cities; he loosed not those who were in captivity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/isaiah/14-17.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xv9bHT-nr9s?start=3108" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/14.htm">Downfall of the King of Babylon</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">16</span>Those who see you will stare; they will ponder your fate: “Is this the man who shook the earth and made the kingdoms tremble, <span class="reftext">17</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7760.htm" title="7760: śām (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To put, place, set. Or siym; a primitive root; to put.">who turned</a> <a href="/hebrew/8398.htm" title="8398: tê·ḇêl (N-fs) -- From yabal; the earth; by extension, the globe; by implication, its inhabitants; specifically, a partic. Land, as Babylonia, Palestine.">the world</a> <a href="/hebrew/4057.htm" title="4057: kam·miḏ·bār (Prep-k, Art:: N-ms) -- A pasture, a desert, speech. From dabar in the sense of driving; a pasture; by implication, a desert; also speech.">into a desert</a> <a href="/hebrew/2040.htm" title="2040: hā·rās (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To throw down, break or tear down. A primitive root; to pull down or in pieces, break, &? Destroy.">and destroyed</a> <a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: wə·‘ā·rāw (Conj-w:: N-fpc:: 3ms) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense.">its cities,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">who refused</a> <a href="/hebrew/6605.htm" title="6605: p̄ā·ṯaḥ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To open wide, to loosen, begin, plough, carve. A primitive root; to open wide; specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve.">to let</a> <a href="/hebrew/615.htm" title="615: ’ă·sî·rāw (N-mpc:: 3ms) -- A bondman, prisoner. From 'acar; bound, i.e. A captive.">the captives</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: bā·yə·ṯāh (N-ms:: 3fs) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">return to their homes?”</a> </span><span class="reftext">18</span>All the kings of the nations lie in state, each in his own tomb.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/50-23.htm">Jeremiah 50:23</a></span><br />How the hammer of the whole earth lies broken and shattered! What a horror Babylon has become among the nations!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/51-25.htm">Jeremiah 51:25-26</a></span><br />“Behold, I am against you, O destroying mountain, you who devastate the whole earth, declares the LORD. I will stretch out My hand against you; I will roll you over the cliffs and turn you into a charred mountain. / No one shall retrieve from you a cornerstone or a foundation stone, because you will become desolate forever,” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/18-10.htm">Revelation 18:10</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/18-21.htm">Revelation 18:21</a></span><br />Then a mighty angel picked up a stone the size of a great millstone and cast it into the sea, saying: “With such violence the great city of Babylon will be cast down, never to be seen again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/28-16.htm">Ezekiel 28:16-17</a></span><br />By the vastness of your trade, you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I drove you in disgrace from the mountain of God, and I banished you, O guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones. / Your heart grew proud of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor; so I cast you to the earth; I made you a spectacle before kings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/51-7.htm">Jeremiah 51:7</a></span><br />Babylon was a gold cup in the hand of the LORD, making the whole earth drunk. The nations drank her wine; therefore the nations have gone mad.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/17-2.htm">Revelation 17:2</a></span><br />The kings of the earth were immoral with her, and those who dwell on the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her immorality.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/18-3.htm">Revelation 18:3</a></span><br />All the nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her immorality. The kings of the earth were immoral with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown wealthy from the extravagance of her luxury.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/26-19.htm">Ezekiel 26:19-21</a></span><br />For this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘When I make you a desolate city like other deserted cities, and when I raise up the deep against you so that the mighty waters cover you, / then I will bring you down with those who descend to the Pit, to the people of antiquity. I will make you dwell in the earth below like the ancient ruins, with those who descend to the Pit, so that you will no longer be inhabited or set in splendor in the land of the living. / I will make you an object of horror, and you will be no more. You will be sought, but will never be found,’ declares the Lord GOD.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/51-13.htm">Jeremiah 51:13</a></span><br />You who dwell by many waters, rich in treasures, your end has come; the thread of your life is cut.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/14-8.htm">Revelation 14:8</a></span><br />Then a second angel followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, who has made all the nations drink the wine of the passion of her immorality.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/19-2.htm">Revelation 19:2</a></span><br />For His judgments are true and just. He has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality. He has avenged the blood of His servants that was poured out by her hand.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/51-29.htm">Jeremiah 51:29</a></span><br />The earth quakes and writhes because the LORD’s intentions against Babylon stand: to make the land of Babylon a desolation, without inhabitant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/32-18.htm">Ezekiel 32:18-21</a></span><br />“Son of man, wail for the multitudes of Egypt, and consign her and the daughters of the mighty nations to the depths of the earth with those who descend to the Pit: / Whom do you surpass in beauty? Go down and be placed with the uncircumcised! / They will fall among those slain by the sword. The sword is appointed! Let them drag her away along with all her multitudes. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/18-9.htm">Revelation 18:9</a></span><br />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.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?</p><p class="hdg">made</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/13-19.htm">Isaiah 13:19-22</a></b></br> And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/64-10.htm">Isaiah 64:10</a></b></br> Thy holy cities are a wilderness, Zion is a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/6-14.htm">Ezekiel 6:14</a></b></br> So will I stretch out my hand upon them, and make the land desolate, yea, more desolate than the wilderness toward Diblath, in all their habitations: and they shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD.</p><p class="hdg">opened not the house of his prisoners.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/45-13.htm">Isaiah 45:13</a></b></br> I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward, saith the LORD of hosts.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/58-6.htm">Isaiah 58:6</a></b></br> <i>Is</i> not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/28-8.htm">2 Chronicles 28:8-15</a></b></br> And the children of Israel carried away captive of their brethren two hundred thousand, women, sons, and daughters, and took also away much spoil from them, and brought the spoil to Samaria… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/5-12.htm">Allow</a> <a href="/isaiah/10-4.htm">Bound</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-7.htm">Broken</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-2.htm">Captives</a> <a href="/isaiah/6-11.htm">Cities</a> <a href="/isaiah/13-21.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/isaiah/10-27.htm">Destroyed</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/25-10.htm">Dismissed</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-6.htm">Home</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-2.htm">House</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-27.htm">Loose</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-9.htm">Ones</a> <a href="/isaiah/10-14.htm">Opened</a> <a href="/isaiah/13-19.htm">Overthrew</a> <a href="/job/34-25.htm">Overturning</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-2.htm">Prisoners</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/16-10.htm">Prison-House</a> <a href="/psalms/102-20.htm">Release</a> <a href="/isaiah/13-10.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/isaiah/10-13.htm">Towns</a> <a href="/isaiah/13-21.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/songs/8-5.htm">Wilderness</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-9.htm">World</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/jeremiah/13-14.htm">Allow</a> <a href="/isaiah/16-14.htm">Bound</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-25.htm">Broken</a> <a href="/isaiah/20-4.htm">Captives</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-21.htm">Cities</a> <a href="/isaiah/16-1.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-20.htm">Destroyed</a> <a href="/matthew/13-36.htm">Dismissed</a> <a href="/isaiah/37-37.htm">Home</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-18.htm">House</a> <a href="/isaiah/23-16.htm">Loose</a> <a href="/isaiah/15-4.htm">Ones</a> <a href="/isaiah/22-22.htm">Opened</a> <a href="/isaiah/23-13.htm">Overthrew</a> <a href="/jeremiah/1-10.htm">Overturning</a> <a href="/isaiah/20-4.htm">Prisoners</a> <a href="/isaiah/24-22.htm">Prison-House</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-7.htm">Release</a> <a href="/isaiah/15-8.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/isaiah/17-2.htm">Towns</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-21.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/isaiah/16-1.htm">Wilderness</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-21.htm">World</a><div class="vheading2">Isaiah 14</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/14-1.htm">God's merciful restoration of Israel</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/14-3.htm">Their triumphant exultation over Babel</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/14-24.htm">God's purpose against Assyria</a></span><br><span class="reftext">29. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/14-29.htm">Philistia is threatened</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/14.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/isaiah/14.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>who turned the world into a desert</b><br>This phrase reflects the destructive power and influence of the Babylonian empire, often symbolized by its king. Historically, Babylon was known for its military conquests and the devastation it left in its wake. The imagery of turning the world into a desert signifies the desolation and ruin brought upon nations. This can be seen as a metaphor for the spiritual barrenness that results from pride and rebellion against God. In a broader biblical context, this desolation echoes the consequences of sin and judgment, reminiscent of the desolation described in the aftermath of the fall of Jerusalem (<a href="/jeremiah/4-26.htm">Jeremiah 4:26</a>).<p><b>and destroyed its cities</b><br>The destruction of cities highlights the comprehensive nature of Babylon's conquests. Cities in ancient times were centers of culture, commerce, and community life. The fall of a city often meant the collapse of a society's structure and security. This phrase underscores the totality of Babylon's impact, not just on individual lives but on entire civilizations. The destruction of cities is a recurring theme in the Bible, symbolizing divine judgment, as seen in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (<a href="/genesis/19-24.htm">Genesis 19:24-25</a>).<p><b>who refused to let the captives return to their homes</b><br>This part of the verse points to the oppressive nature of Babylonian rule, where captives were taken from their homeland and not allowed to return. This is historically accurate, as the Babylonian exile was a period when the Israelites were forcibly removed from Judah and held in Babylon. The refusal to let captives return signifies a denial of freedom and restoration. In a prophetic sense, this can be contrasted with the eventual return of the exiles, as decreed by Cyrus the Great (<a href="/ezra/1.htm">Ezra 1:1-4</a>), which prefigures the ultimate liberation and restoration found in Christ, who sets captives free (<a href="/luke/4-18.htm">Luke 4:18</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/b/babylon.htm">Babylon</a></b><br>The empire symbolized by the king in <a href="/bsb/isaiah/14.htm">Isaiah 14</a>, known for its power and oppression.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/k/king_of_babylon.htm">King of Babylon</a></b><br>Represents the oppressive rulers who have devastated nations and held captives.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/c/captives.htm">Captives</a></b><br>Those who were taken by force and not allowed to return to their homeland.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/d/desert.htm">Desert</a></b><br>Symbolizes desolation and destruction brought upon the world by oppressive rulers.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/c/cities.htm">Cities</a></b><br>Represents the civilizations and communities that were overthrown and destroyed.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_pride_and_oppression.htm">The Consequences of Pride and Oppression</a></b><br>The passage highlights the destructive nature of pride and the consequences of oppressing others. It serves as a warning against the misuse of power.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_over_nations.htm">God's Sovereignty Over Nations</a></b><br>Despite the apparent power of oppressive empires, God remains sovereign and will ultimately bring justice and restoration.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_for_the_oppressed.htm">Hope for the Oppressed</a></b><br>The verse offers hope to those who are oppressed, reminding them that God sees their plight and will act on their behalf.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_justice_and_mercy.htm">The Call to Justice and Mercy</a></b><br>As followers of Christ, we are called to act justly and show mercy, opposing systems of oppression and advocating for the freedom of captives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_ultimate_restoration.htm">The Ultimate Restoration</a></b><br>This passage points to the ultimate restoration that God promises, where all captives will be set free and desolation will be turned into flourishing.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_isaiah_14.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 14</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_isaiah_17_unfulfilled.htm">Why does Isaiah 17's prophecy appear unfulfilled when compared to other passages predicting judgments on Israel's neighbors that were historically verified?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_isaiah_17_3_with_other_accounts.htm">How do we reconcile Isaiah 17:3's prediction of the end of fortified cities with other biblical accounts that describe their continued presence in Israel and Judah?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/isaiah_4_1__why_7_women_per_man_evidence.htm">In Isaiah 4:1, how could seven women outnumber men to such an extreme level, and is there any historical or scientific evidence for such a ratio?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/psalm_85__how_to_reconcile_hope_with_exile.htm">Psalm 85 - How can we harmonize this psalm's hope for national revival with other biblical texts that emphasize permanent punishment or exile?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/isaiah/14.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(17) <span class= "bld">That opened not the house of his prisoners.</span>--Better, as in the margin, <span class= "ital">he loosed not his prisoners to their homes. </span>This was, we may note, a characteristic feature of the cruelty of the Assyrian kings. So Sennacherib and Assurbanipal boast of having carried off captive kings in "chains of iron" (<span class= "ital">Records of the Past, </span>i. pp. 43, 62, 72), and kept them chained like dogs in the court of their palace (<span class= "ital">ib., </span>pp. 93, 97). So Jehoiachin was kept in prison for thirty-seven years (<a href="/jeremiah/52-31.htm" title="And it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, in the five and twentieth day of the month, that Evilmerodach king of Babylon in the first year of his reign lifted up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah, and brought him forth out of prison.">Jeremiah 52:31</a>).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/14.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 17.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">That opened not the house of his prisoners</span>; literally, <span class="accented">that loosed not his prisoners homewards</span>. The long imprisonment of Jehoiachin by Nebuchadnezzar (thirty-six years, <a href="/2_kings/25-27.htm">2 Kings 25:27</a>) is an illustration; but perhaps it is rather the retention in captivity of the entire Jewish people that is brought to the prophet's cognizance. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/isaiah/14-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">who turned</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׂ֥ם</span> <span class="translit">(śām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7760.htm">Strong's 7760: </a> </span><span class="str2">Put -- to put, place, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the world</span><br /><span class="heb">תֵּבֵ֛ל</span> <span class="translit">(tê·ḇêl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8398.htm">Strong's 8398: </a> </span><span class="str2">The earth, the globe, its inhabitants, a particular land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">into a desert</span><br /><span class="heb">כַּמִּדְבָּ֖ר</span> <span class="translit">(kam·miḏ·bār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4057.htm">Strong's 4057: </a> </span><span class="str2">A pasture, a desert, speech</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and destroyed</span><br /><span class="heb">הָרָ֑ס</span> <span class="translit">(hā·rās)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2040.htm">Strong's 2040: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pull down, in pieces, break, & destroy</span><br /><br /><span class="word">its cities,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעָרָ֣יו</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘ā·rāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> </span><span class="str2">Excitement</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who refused</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to let</span><br /><span class="heb">פָ֥תַח</span> <span class="translit">(p̄ā·ṯaḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6605.htm">Strong's 6605: </a> </span><span class="str2">To open wide, to loosen, begin, plough, carve</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the captives</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲסִירָ֖יו</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·sî·rāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_615.htm">Strong's 615: </a> </span><span class="str2">A bondman, prisoner</span><br /><br /><span class="word">return to their homes?”</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּֽיְתָה׃</span> <span class="translit">(bā·yə·ṯāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> </span><span class="str2">A house</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/14-17.htm">Isaiah 14:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/isaiah/14-17.htm">Isaiah 14:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/isaiah/14-17.htm">Isaiah 14:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/isaiah/14-17.htm">Isaiah 14:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/isaiah/14-17.htm">Isaiah 14:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/14-17.htm">Isaiah 14:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/14-17.htm">Isaiah 14:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/14-17.htm">Isaiah 14:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/14-17.htm">Isaiah 14:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/isaiah/14-17.htm">Isaiah 14:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/isaiah/14-17.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 14:17 Who made the world like a wilderness (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/14-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 14:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 14:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/14-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 14:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 14:18" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>