Isaiah 14:2

Authorized King James Version

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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)
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 4 of 18
near, with or among; often in general, to
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
אַדְמַ֣ת them in the land H127
אַדְמַ֣ת them in the land
Strong's: H127
Word #: 10 of 18
soil (from its general redness)
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
לַעֲבָדִ֖ים for servants H5650
לַעֲבָדִ֖ים for servants
Strong's: H5650
Word #: 12 of 18
a servant
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
וְרָד֖וּ they were and they shall rule H7287
וְרָד֖וּ they were and they shall rule
Strong's: H7287
Word #: 17 of 18
to tread down, i.e., subjugate; specifically, to crumble off
בְּנֹגְשֵׂיהֶֽם׃ over their oppressors H5065
בְּנֹגְשֵׂיהֶֽם׃ over their oppressors
Strong's: H5065
Word #: 18 of 18
to drive (an animal, a workman, a debtor, an army); by implication, to tax, harass, tyrannize

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.

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

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