Isaiah 14:12
How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
Original Language Analysis
נָפַ֥לְתָּ
How art thou fallen
H5307
נָפַ֥לְתָּ
How art thou fallen
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
2 of 11
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
מִשָּׁמַ֖יִם
from heaven
H8064
מִשָּׁמַ֖יִם
from heaven
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
3 of 11
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
בֶּן
son
H1121
בֶּן
son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
5 of 11
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
נִגְדַּ֣עְתָּ
how art thou cut down
H1438
נִגְדַּ֣עְתָּ
how art thou cut down
Strong's:
H1438
Word #:
7 of 11
to fell a tree; generally, to destroy anything
חוֹלֵ֖שׁ
which didst weaken
H2522
חוֹלֵ֖שׁ
which didst weaken
Strong's:
H2522
Word #:
9 of 11
to prostrate; by implication, to overthrow, decay
Cross References
Luke 10:18And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.Revelation 8:10And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;Revelation 22:16I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.Isaiah 34:4And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a falling fig from the fig tree.2 Peter 1:19We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:Revelation 2:28And I will give him the morning star.2 Peter 2:4For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;Revelation 9:1And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.Jeremiah 50:23How is the hammer of the whole earth cut asunder and broken! how is Babylon become a desolation among the nations!Isaiah 13:10For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.
Historical Context
Though delivered against Babylon's literal king (586 BC), early church fathers and Reformed interpreters recognize this passage's dual reference to Satan's fall. The 'king of Babylon' typologically represents Satan, history's ultimate prideful rebel.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Satan's fall warn against pride and self-exaltation in your own life?
- What does Satan's defeat assure you about Christ's ultimate victory over all evil?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This verse addresses the fall of Lucifer (Satan): 'How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!' While the immediate context describes Babylon's king, the language transcends human kingship, revealing Satan's primordial rebellion. Jesus references this in Luke 10:18: 'I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.' The taunt 'how art thou cut down to the ground' emphasizes the reversal from exalted position to complete humiliation, demonstrating pride's ultimate outcome.