Isaiah 14:2

Authorized King James Version

And the people shall take them, and bring them to their place: and the house of Israel shall possess them in the land of the LORD for servants and handmaids: and they shall take them captives, whose captives they were; and they shall rule over their oppressors.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וּלְקָח֣וּם

H3947

shall take

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

עַמִּים֮

H5971

And the people

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

וֶהֱבִיא֣וּם

H935

them and bring

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מְקוֹמָם֒

H4725

them to their place

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

וְהִֽתְנַחֲל֣וּם

H5157

shall possess

to inherit (as a (figurative) mode of descent), or (generally) to occupy; causatively, to bequeath, or (generally) distribute, instate

בֵּֽית

H1004

and the house

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל

H3478

of Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

עַ֚ל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

#10

אַדְמַ֣ת

H127

them in the land

soil (from its general redness)

#11

יְהוָ֔ה

H3068

of the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#12

לַעֲבָדִ֖ים

H5650

for servants

a servant

#13

וְלִשְׁפָח֑וֹת

H8198

and handmaids

a female slave (as a member of the household)

#14

וְהָיוּ֙

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

#15

לְשֹֽׁבֵיהֶ֔ם

H7617

and they shall take them captives

to transport into captivity

#16

לְשֹֽׁבֵיהֶ֔ם

H7617

and they shall take them captives

to transport into captivity

#17

וְרָד֖וּ

H7287

they were and they shall rule

to tread down, i.e., subjugate; specifically, to crumble off

#18

בְּנֹגְשֵׂיהֶֽם׃

H5065

over their oppressors

to drive (an animal, a workman, a debtor, an army); by implication, to tax, harass, tyrannize

Analysis

The kingdom of God theme here intersects with the progressive revelation of God's rule from creation to consummation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of development from creation mandate through Davidic kingdom to eschatological fulfillment. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's reign from creation through the millennial kingdom.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of kingdom of God within the theological tradition of Isaiah Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address the apparent delay of Christ's return and God's justice, and how should the church respond?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine sovereignty differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of kingdom of God, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of eschatology and the doctrine of last things?

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