Isaiah Chapter 14 · Verse 2
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.
Original Language Analysis
וּלְקָח֣וּם
shall take
H3947
וּלְקָח֣וּם
shall take
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
1 of 18
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
עַמִּים֮
And the people
H5971
עַמִּים֮
And the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
2 of 18
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וֶהֱבִיא֣וּם
them and bring
H935
וֶהֱבִיא֣וּם
them and bring
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
3 of 18
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
מְקוֹמָם֒
them to their place
H4725
מְקוֹמָם֒
them to their place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
5 of 18
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
shall possess
H5157
וְהִֽתְנַחֲל֣וּם
shall possess
Strong's:
H5157
Word #:
6 of 18
to inherit (as a (figurative) mode of descent), or (generally) to occupy; causatively, to bequeath, or (generally) distribute, instate
בֵּֽית
and the house
H1004
בֵּֽית
and the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
7 of 18
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
8 of 18
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
עַ֚ל
H5921
עַ֚ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
9 of 18
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
11 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְלִשְׁפָח֑וֹת
and handmaids
H8198
וְלִשְׁפָח֑וֹת
and handmaids
Strong's:
H8198
Word #:
13 of 18
a female slave (as a member of the household)
וְהָיוּ֙
H1961
וְהָיוּ֙
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
14 of 18
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְשֹֽׁבֵיהֶ֔ם
and they shall take them captives
H7617
לְשֹֽׁבֵיהֶ֔ם
and they shall take them captives
Strong's:
H7617
Word #:
15 of 18
to transport into captivity
לְשֹֽׁבֵיהֶ֔ם
and they shall take them captives
H7617
לְשֹֽׁבֵיהֶ֔ם
and they shall take them captives
Strong's:
H7617
Word #:
16 of 18
to transport into captivity
Cross References
Isaiah 61:5And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.Isaiah 60:14The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.Jeremiah 30:16Therefore all they that devour thee shall be devoured; and all thine adversaries, every one of them, shall go into captivity; and they that spoil thee shall be a spoil, and all that prey upon thee will I give for a prey.Isaiah 49:23And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.Daniel 7:18But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.
Historical Context
Partially fulfilled when Cyrus's Persia facilitated Jewish return to Judah (Ezra 1). Persians provided resources for temple rebuilding. Some Gentiles (like Cyrus) served God's purposes for Israel. Spiritually fulfilled when Gentile believers submitted to Jewish apostles and worshiped Israel's God through Jesus. The principle continues—God reverses injustices and elevates the humble while humbling the proud.
Questions for Reflection
- How does reversal of oppressor/oppressed roles demonstrate God's justice?
- What does willing Gentile service to God's purposes reveal about gospel transformation?
- How do we see this pattern of divine reversals throughout Scripture and history?
Analysis & Commentary
The nations ('people') will help Israel return to their land, and Israel will possess them as servants. This reversal—former captors becoming servants—demonstrates poetic justice. The oppressed become rulers; those who ruled now serve. This pictures both political restoration and spiritual reality. In Christ's kingdom, Gentiles willingly serve Jewish Messiah, and all believers rule with Christ. The reversal of fortunes demonstrates God's justice and sovereignty over historical reversals.