Isaiah 14:19-20
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The text describes the fallen king not just as thrown into a pit, but as being cast out from a grave, highlighting the profound ignominy of being denied even the basic honor of burial. He's likened to a loathsome, useless shoot cut off from a tree, and even worse, like the blood-soaked, discarded garments of battlefield casualties, signifying utter rejection and defilement.
but you are cast out, away from your grave, like a loathed branch, clothed with the slain, those pierced by the sword, who go down to the stones of the pit, like a dead body trampled underfoot. You will not be joined with them in burial, because you have destroyed your land, you have slain your people. “May the offspring of evildoers nevermore be named!
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage vividly describes the utter downfall and disgrace of the arrogant king, contrasting his former glory with his ignominious end. The preceding verses detail his self-exaltation and defiance against God, while this verse paints a picture of his posthumous rejection, likening him to refuse cast aside and trampled upon, stripped of any honor or proper burial.
Imagine the absolute lowest you could fall – not just death, but an utter lack of dignity. This verse paints a picture of that.
The prophet Isaiah uses a series of vivid, even repulsive, images to describe the king of Babylon's fate. He's not just dying; he's being discarded.
Stripped of Honor
What's so significant about a 'pit' and 'stones' when describing the dead?
The description of the slain going "down to the stones of the pit" adds another layer of grim finality. It speaks to a common, unceremonious burial practice for the common masses or enemies.
A Shameful Burial
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This contrasts sharply with the glorious tomb the king of Babylon likely envisioned for himself, highlighting the completeness of his downfall.
Understand the original words
bōr · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the place of the dead (Sheol or grave), often described as a dark, deep pit. It signifies the finality of death, the place of dishonor for the wicked, or the abyss of God's judgment.
mērēʿīm · Hebrew Noun
A person who practices iniquity, violates God’s law, or acts in rebellion against the divine will. It characterizes individuals whose nature and actions are fundamentally contrary to God's righteousness.
The imagery of being 'cast out' without proper burial, like a loathed branch or soiled garment, vividly portrays the ignominious end of a powerful ruler, contrasting sharply with the honorable burials usually afforded to kings, highlighting the completeness of Babylon's (and its king's) downfall.
c. 539 BC— this verse
Fall of Babylon to Persia
The Neo-Babylonian Empire, ruled by Nabonidus and his son Belshazzar, is conquered by Cyrus the Great of Persia. Belshazzar is killed during the siege or shortly after.
c. 538 BC
Persian Consolidation of Power
Following the conquest, Cyrus integrates Babylonia into the Persian Empire, establishing a new administrative order and imposing his rule.
c. 537 BC
Edict of Cyrus
Cyrus issues a decree allowing exiled peoples, including the Jews, to return to their homelands and rebuild their temples.
This passage describes a similar fate for Pharaoh, likening him to a carcass cast out in the desert, emphasizing the ignominious end that awaits arrogant rulers.
Jeremiah 22:19This verse speaks of a king being buried with the burial of a donkey, dragged away and cast out beyond the gates of Jerusalem, highlighting the shame and dishonor associated with a cursed burial.
Matthew 15:13Jesus uses the imagery of plants not planted by the Father being uprooted, paralleling the idea of an 'abominable branch' that is cast away because it does not belong to the divine cultivation.
Deuteronomy 21:23This passage states that a hanged person is cursed by God, which connects to the 'abominable branch' imagery, as the condemned were often associated with cursed trees and objects that were then discarded.
John 19:34While not a direct parallel, the image of blood and water being shed during Jesus' death can evoke the description of being 'thrust through with the sword' and the state of the slain.
clarkeIsaiah 14:19: "But thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch, and as the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, that go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcase trodden under feet."
Like an abominable branch "Like the tree abominated" - That is, as an object of abomination and detestation; such as the tree is on which a malefactor has been hanged. "It is written," saith St. Paul, Galatians 3:13 , "Cursed is every man that hangeth on a tree," from Deutero…
wesleyIsaiah 14:19: "But thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch, and as the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, that go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcase trodden under feet."
14:19 Cast out - Or, cast from thy grave or burying - place. Which very probably happened to Belshazzar, when his people had neither opportunity nor heart to bestow an honourable interment upon him, and the conquerors would not suffer them to do it. Like - Like a rotten twig…
The text describes the fallen king not just as thrown into a pit, but as being cast out from a grave, highlighting the profound ignominy of being denied even the basic honor of burial. He's likened to a loathsome, useless shoot cut off from a tree, and even worse, like the blood-soaked, discarded garments of battlefield casualties, signifying utter rejection and defilement.
This passage vividly describes the utter downfall and disgrace of the arrogant king, contrasting his former glory with his ignominious end. The preceding verses detail his self-exaltation and defiance against God, while this verse paints a picture of his posthumous rejection, likening him to refuse cast aside and trampled upon, stripped of any honor or proper burial.
This passage vividly describes the utter downfall and disgrace of the arrogant king, contrasting his former glory with his ignominious end. The preceding verses detail his self-exaltation and defiance against God, while this verse paints a picture of his posthumous rejection, likening him to refuse cast aside and trampled upon, stripped of any honor or proper burial.
"but you are cast out, away from your grave, like a loathed branch, clothed with the slain, those pierced by the sword, who go down to the stones of the pit, like a dead body trampled underfoot. You will not be j…" — The text describes the fallen king not just as thrown into a pit, but as being cast out from a grave, highlighting the profound ignominy of being denied even the basic honor of burial. He's likened…
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Last reviewed October 2026
