King James Version

What Does Isaiah 14:29 Mean?

Isaiah 14:29 in the King James Version says “Rejoice not thou, whole Palestina, because the rod of him that smote thee is broken: for out of the serpent's root shall...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Rejoice not thou, whole Palestina, because the rod of him that smote thee is broken: for out of the serpent's root shall come forth a cockatrice, and his fruit shall be a fiery flying serpent. cockatrice: or, adder”

Isaiah 14:29 · KJV

Context

27

For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?

28

In the year that king Ahaz died was this burden.

29

Rejoice not thou, whole Palestina, because the rod of him that smote thee is broken: for out of the serpent's root shall come forth a cockatrice, and his fruit shall be a fiery flying serpent. cockatrice: or, adder

30

And the firstborn of the poor shall feed, and the needy shall lie down in safety: and I will kill thy root with famine, and he shall slay thy remnant.

31

Howl, O gate; cry, O city; thou, whole Palestina, art dissolved: for there shall come from the north a smoke, and none shall be alone in his appointed times. none: or, he shall not be alone appointed: or, assemblies

Read Isaiah 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'Rejoice not thou, whole Palestina, because the rod of him that smote thee is broken: for out of the serpent's root shall come forth a cockatrice, and his fruit shall be a fiery flying serpent.' Philistia (Palestina) is warned not to rejoice that their oppressor's 'rod is broken.' The 'rod' may refer to Ahaz, an Assyrian king, or Assyrian power generally. But the warning is: don't celebrate prematurely because something worse is coming. 'Out of the serpent's root' suggests from the same source (Judah or Assyria), worse threat emerges. 'Cockatrice' (adder, viper) and 'fiery flying serpent' use escalating serpent imagery: bad to worse to worst. Don't rejoice when one enemy falls if a greater enemy rises.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Philistia had ongoing conflicts with Judah and Assyria. They may have expected Ahaz's death to weaken Judah, creating opportunity. Or if 'the rod' refers to an Assyrian king who died, they may have expected Assyrian decline. But Isaiah warns: Hezekiah (or a new Assyrian king, or ultimately Babylon) will be worse. Historically, Hezekiah did strike Philistia (2 Kings 18:8), and Assyria under Sennacherib remained powerful. The serpent imagery suggests deadly danger—Philistia's premature rejoicing is foolish. The principle applies broadly: don't celebrate defeat of one problem if worse looms.

Reflection Questions

  1. When have you celebrated the end of one difficulty only to face a greater one—and what did this teach about God's sovereignty?
  2. How does the serpent imagery (bad to worse) warn against short-sighted political or personal calculations?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
אַֽל1 of 16
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תִּשְׂמְחִ֤י2 of 16

“Rejoice”

H8055

probably to brighten up, i.e., (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome

פְלֶ֙שֶׁת֙3 of 16

“not thou whole Palestina”

H6429

pelesheth, a region of syria

כֻּלֵּ֔ךְ4 of 16
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

כִּ֥י5 of 16
H3588

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

נִשְׁבַּ֖ר6 of 16

“thee is broken”

H7665

to burst (literally or figuratively)

שֵׁ֣בֶט7 of 16

“because the rod”

H7626

a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan

מַכֵּ֑ךְ8 of 16

“of him that smote”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

כִּֽי9 of 16
H3588

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

מִשֹּׁ֤רֶשׁ10 of 16

“root”

H8328

a root (literally or figuratively)

נָחָשׁ֙11 of 16

“for out of the serpent's”

H5175

a snake (from its hiss)

יֵ֣צֵא12 of 16

“shall come forth”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

צֶ֔פַע13 of 16

“a cockatrice”

H6848

a viper (as thrusting out the tongue, i.e., hissing)

וּפִרְי֖וֹ14 of 16

“and his fruit”

H6529

fruit (literally or figuratively)

שָׂרָ֥ף15 of 16

“serpent”

H8314

burning, i.e., (figuratively) poisonous (serpent); specifically, a saraph or symbolical creature (from their copper color)

מְעוֹפֵֽף׃16 of 16

“flying”

H5774

to fly; also (by implication of dimness) to faint (from the darkness of swooning)

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 14:29 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 14:29 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 26:6Isaiah 30:6Isaiah 11:8Proverbs 24:17Micah 7:82 Chronicles 28:18

Places in This Verse

PhilistiaRegion · Modern: Tel Ashkelon · 31.66°N, 34.55°E22 verses across 14 books
View all places in Isaiah 14 →

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