Isaiah 14:2

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 14:2 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And the peoples shall take them, and bring them to their place; and the house of Israel shall possess them in the land of Jehovah for servants and for handmaids: and they shall take them captive whose captives they were; and they shall rule over their oppressors.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And the peoples shall take them, and bring them to their place; and the house of Israel shall possess them in the land of Jehovah for servants and for handmaids: and they shall take them captive whose captives they were; and they shall rule over their oppressors.
Isaiah 14:2 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 14

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
2And the peoples shall take them, and bring them to their place; and the house of Israel shall possess them in the land of Jehovah for servants and for handmaids: and they shall take them captive whose captives they were; and they shall rule over their oppressors.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the people shall take them, and bring them to their place, &c.] That is, the people among whom the Jews dwelt in Babylon, who had a kindness for them, and especially such of them as were proselyted to their religion should attend them in their journey home, and supply them with all necessaries for provision and carriage, as they were allowed to do by the edict of Cyrus, (<150104>Ezra 1:4) and this will have a further accomplishment in the latter day, when the Gentiles shall bring their sons and daughters in their arms, and on their shoulders, and on horses, and in chariots, to Jerusalem, (<234921>Isaiah 49:21) (<236620>Isaiah 66:20) which last passage Kimchi refers to, as explanative of…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“the people--of Babylon, primarily. Of the whole Gentile world ultimately (Isa 49:22; Isa 66:20; Isa 60:9). their place--Judea (Ezr 1:1-6). possess--receive in possession. captives--not by physical, but by moral might; the force of love, and regard to Israel's God (Isa 60:14).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And the people shall take them - That is, the people in Babylon. And bring them to their place - That is, they shall attend them to the land of Judea, and aid in restoring them to their own country. There is reference here, doubtless, to the fact that Cyrus would assist them (compare Ezra 1:1-11), and that many of the inhabitants of Chaldea who would become proselytes, would be willing to accompany them to their own land. And the house of Israel shall possess them in the land of the Lord - Not in a foreign land, and among strangers and foes, but in their own land, and among the institutions of their own religion. They would be willing to return with them, and occupy a humble place among…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Rule - Which they literally did, after their return into their own land. But this was more eminently verified in a spiritual sense, in the days of the gospel. Isaiah 14:4”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“14:2 Just as Israel was subject to the Lord, so the nations of the world would submit themselves to the Lord through Israel (45:14; 49:7, 23; 60:12, 14; 66:23). • The oppressed nation of Israel will rule over its enemies, assuming a position of power and favor with God.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“and the house: Isa 18:7, Isa 60:9-12, Isa 61:5; Ezr 2:65; Rom 15:27; Co2 8:4, Co2 8:5; Gal 5:13 and they: Psa 68:18; Co2 10:5; Eph 4:8 whose captives they were: Heb. that had taken them captives, they shall rule over Isa 60:14; Jer 30:16; Dan 7:18, Dan 7:25-27; Zac 14:2, Zac 14:3; Rev 3:9, Rev 11:11-18; Rev 18:20-24 Isaiah 14:3”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification