King James Version

What Does Isaiah 14:1 Mean?

Isaiah 14:1 in the King James Version says “For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers sha...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob.”

Isaiah 14:1 · KJV

Context

1

For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob.

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. whose: Heb. that had taken them captives

3

And it shall come to pass in the day that the LORD shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve,

Read Isaiah 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
After judgment oracles, hope emerges: 'the Lord will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel.' Divine mercy and election persist despite judgment. God will 'set them in their own land'—restoration after exile. Remarkably, 'strangers shall be joined with them'—Gentile inclusion in Israel's restoration. This prophesies both physical return from exile and spiritual inclusion of Gentiles in God's people. The phrase 'will yet choose' reaffirms unconditional election—God's choice of Israel isn't revoked despite their unfaithfulness.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Fulfilled when Jews returned from Babylonian exile (538 BC onward) and Gentiles like Rahab, Ruth, and later entire nations joined God's people through Christ. The church epitomizes this—Jews and Gentiles united as one people (Ephesians 2:11-22). The promise of restoration demonstrates covenant faithfulness—God disciplines but doesn't ultimately reject His elect. Modern Christian theology sees this ultimately fulfilled in new covenant community.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's mercy and renewed choice of Israel demonstrate covenant faithfulness?
  2. What does Gentile inclusion ('strangers joined') reveal about God's expanding purposes?
  3. How do we see this pattern of judgment-then-restoration throughout redemptive history?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
כִּי֩1 of 18
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יְרַחֵ֨ם2 of 18

“will have mercy”

H7355

to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate

יְהוָ֜ה3 of 18

“For the LORD”

H3068

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

אֶֽת4 of 18
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יַעֲקֹֽב׃5 of 18

“of Jacob”

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

וּבָחַ֥ר6 of 18

“and will yet choose”

H977

properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select

עוֹד֙7 of 18
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל8 of 18

“Israel”

H3478

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

וְהִנִּיחָ֖ם9 of 18

“and set”

H3240

to deposit; by implication, to allow to stay

עַל10 of 18
H5921

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

אַדְמָתָ֑ם11 of 18

“them in their own land”

H127

soil (from its general redness)

וְנִלְוָ֤ה12 of 18

“shall be joined”

H3867

properly, to twine; also to borrow (as a form of obligation) or (causative) to lend

הַגֵּר֙13 of 18

“and the strangers”

H1616

properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner

עֲלֵיהֶ֔ם14 of 18
H5921

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

וְנִסְפְּח֖וּ15 of 18

“with them and they shall cleave”

H5596

properly, to scrape out, but in certain peculiar senses (of removal or association)

עַל16 of 18
H5921

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

בֵּ֥ית17 of 18

“to the house”

H1004

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

יַעֲקֹֽב׃18 of 18

“of Jacob”

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 14:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 14:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 102:13Zechariah 8:22-23Zechariah 1:17Ephesians 2:12-19Isaiah 54:7-8Malachi 1:11

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