Isaiah Chapter 14 · Verse 8
Yea, the fir trees rejoice at thee, and the cedars of Lebanon, saying, Since thou art laid down, no feller is come up against us.
Original Language Analysis
גַּם
H1571
גַּם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
1 of 12
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
בְּרוֹשִׁ֛ים
Yea the fir trees
H1265
בְּרוֹשִׁ֛ים
Yea the fir trees
Strong's:
H1265
Word #:
2 of 12
a cypress (?) tree; hence, a lance or a musical instrument (as made of that wood)
שָׂמְח֥וּ
rejoice
H8055
שָׂמְח֥וּ
rejoice
Strong's:
H8055
Word #:
3 of 12
probably to brighten up, i.e., (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome
אַרְזֵ֣י
at thee and the cedars
H730
אַרְזֵ֣י
at thee and the cedars
Strong's:
H730
Word #:
5 of 12
a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots)
מֵאָ֣ז
H227
שָׁכַ֔בְתָּ
saying Since thou art laid down
H7901
שָׁכַ֔בְתָּ
saying Since thou art laid down
Strong's:
H7901
Word #:
8 of 12
to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
9 of 12
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יַעֲלֶ֥ה
is come up
H5927
יַעֲלֶ֥ה
is come up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
10 of 12
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern kings routinely boasted of harvesting Lebanon's cedars for palace and temple construction. Assyrian and Babylonian inscriptions record expeditions to Lebanon for timber. These magnificent trees—some living thousands of years—were cut down for human pride and luxury. Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon particularly exploited Lebanon's forests for the city's famous constructions. The trees' 'rejoicing' at his fall is poetic justice: what you oppressed celebrates your end. This reminds us that environmental degradation has moral/spiritual dimensions—creation suffers from human sin.
Questions for Reflection
- What does creation's personification and rejoicing teach about the comprehensive scope of redemption?
- How should Christian environmental stewardship be shaped by understanding creation as affected by sin and awaiting redemption?
Analysis & Commentary
'Yea, the fir trees rejoice at thee, and the cedars of Lebanon, saying, Since thou art laid down, no feller is come up against us.' Even trees celebrate! This poetic personification shows creation itself rejoices at Babylon's fall. Specifically, Lebanon's famous cedars and fir trees—which Babylonian kings cut down for their building projects—are safe now that the 'feller' (woodcutter/destroyer) is 'laid down' (dead/fallen). This is more than poetry; it's theology: human sin affects creation, and human judgment/restoration affects creation. The trees' joy anticipates Isaiah 55:12 and Romans 8:19-22—creation longs for redemption and will share in it.