Isaiah 14:5

Modern

The LORD has broken the staff of the wicked, the scepter of the rulers.

Traditional

The Lord hath broken the staff of the wicked, and the sceptre of the rulers.

Literal

YHWH has broken the staff of the wicked, the scepter of the rulers—

Latin

Contrivit Dominus baculum impiorum, virgam dominantium,

Hebrew

English

The LORD has broken the staff of the wicked, the scepter of the rulers.

This taunting song about the king of Babylon is written like a funeral song. It speaks as if the king has already died.

The song mocks him and announces his downfall (compare Revelation 18).

Theme notes and profiles

Psalm 125:3
For the scepter of the wicked will not rest upon the land allotted to the righteous, so that the righteous will not put forth their hands to injustice.
Isaiah 9:4
For as in the day of Midian You have shattered the yoke of their burden, the bar across their shoulders, and the rod of their oppressor.
Isaiah 14:29
Do not rejoice, all you Philistines, that the rod that struck you is broken. For a viper will spring from the root of the snake, and a flying serpent from its egg.
Jeremiah 48:15–17
Moab has been destroyed and its towns have been invaded; the best of its young men have gone down in the slaughter, declares the King, whose name is the LORD of Hosts.
Isaiah 10:5
Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger; the staff in their hands is My wrath.