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Isaiah 14:8

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 14:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Yea, the fir-trees rejoice at thee, [and] the cedars of Lebanon, [saying], Since thou art laid low, no hewer is come up against us.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Yea, the fir-trees rejoice at thee, [and] the cedars of Lebanon, [saying], Since thou art laid low, no hewer is come up against us.
Isaiah 14:8 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 14

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5Jehovah hath broken the staff of the wicked, the sceptre of the rulers;
6that smote the peoples in wrath with a continual stroke, that ruled the nations in anger, with a persecution that none restrained.
7The whole earth is at rest, [and] is quiet: they break forth into singing.
8Yea, the fir-trees rejoice at thee, [and] the cedars of Lebanon, [saying], Since thou art laid low, no hewer is come up against us.
9Sheol from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming; it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations.
10All they shall answer and say unto thee, Art thou also become weak as we? art thou become like unto us?
11Thy pomp is brought down to Sheol, [and] the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and worms cover thee.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Yea, the fir trees rejoice at thee, [and] the cedars of Lebanon, &c.] Which by, a prosopopoeia are represented as singing and rejoicing, as inanimate creatures often are in Scripture, these being now in no danger of being cut down, to make way for his armies; (see <233734>Isaiah 37:34) or to furnish him with timber for shipping, or building of houses: or else these words are to be understood metaphorically of kings and princes of the earth, comparable to such trees, for their height, strength, and substance; (see <381102>Zechariah 11:2) who would now be no longer in fear of him, or in subjection to him. So the Targum, “the rulers also rejoiced over thee, the rich in substance said;” not only…”
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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 fir trees--now left undisturbed. Probably a kind of evergreen. rejoice at thee-- (Psa 96:12). At thy fall (Psa 35:19, Psa 35:24). no feller--as formerly, when thou wast in power (Isa 10:34; Isa 37:24). Hades (the Amenthes of Egypt), the unseen abode of the departed; some of its tenants, once mighty monarchs, are represented by a bold personification as rising from their seats in astonishment at the descent among them of the humbled king of Babylon. This proves, in opposition to WARBURTON [The Divine Legation], that the belief existed among the Jews that there was a Sheol or Hades, in which the "Rephaim" or manes of the departed abode.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Yea, the fir trees rejoice at thee - They join with the inhabitants of the nations in rejoicing at thy downfall - for they now, like those inhabitants, are suffered to remain undisturbed. (On the word rendered “fir trees,” see the notes at Isaiah 1:29.) It is evident that a species of evergreen is meant; and probably some species that grew in Syria or Palestine. The idea is plain. The very forest is represented as rejoicing. It would be safe from the king of Babylon. He could no longer cut it down to build his palaces, or to construct his implements of war. This figure of representing the hills and groves, the trees, the mountains, and the earth, as exulting, or as breaking forth into joy,…”
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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
“The trees - Which were felled for the service of her pride and luxury, but now are suffered to stand. Isaiah 14:9”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Isa 55:12, Isa 55:13; Eze 31:16; Zac 11:2 Isaiah 14:9”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification