King James Version

What Does Isaiah 14:2 Mean?

Isaiah 14:2 in the King James Version says “And the people shall take them, and bring them to their place: and the house of Israel shall possess them in the land of... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Isaiah 14:2 · 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,

4

That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased! proverb: or, taunting speech golden: or, exactress of gold


Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does reversal of oppressor/oppressed roles demonstrate God's justice?
  2. What does willing Gentile service to God's purposes reveal about gospel transformation?
  3. How do we see this pattern of divine reversals throughout Scripture and history?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וּלְקָח֣וּם1 of 18

shall take

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

עַמִּים֮2 of 18

And the people

H5971

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

וֶהֱבִיא֣וּם3 of 18

them and bring

H935

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

אֶל4 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מְקוֹמָם֒5 of 18

them to their place

H4725

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)

וְהִֽתְנַחֲל֣וּם6 of 18

shall possess

H5157

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

בֵּֽית7 of 18

and the house

H1004

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל8 of 18

of Israel

H3478

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

עַ֚ל9 of 18
H5921

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

אַדְמַ֣ת10 of 18

them in the land

H127

soil (from its general redness)

יְהוָ֔ה11 of 18

of the LORD

H3068

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

לַעֲבָדִ֖ים12 of 18

for servants

H5650

a servant

וְלִשְׁפָח֑וֹת13 of 18

and handmaids

H8198

a female slave (as a member of the household)

וְהָיוּ֙14 of 18
H1961

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

לְשֹֽׁבֵיהֶ֔ם15 of 18

and they shall take them captives

H7617

to transport into captivity

לְשֹֽׁבֵיהֶ֔ם16 of 18

and they shall take them captives

H7617

to transport into captivity

וְרָד֖וּ17 of 18

they were and they shall rule

H7287

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

בְּנֹגְשֵׂיהֶֽם׃18 of 18

over their oppressors

H5065

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


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 14:2 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 14:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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