Isaiah 14:22
“I will rise up against them,” declares the LORD of hosts, “and will cut off from Babylon name and remnant, descendants and posterity,” declares the LORD.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The prophecy declares God will cut off Babylon's "name and remnant, descendants and posterity." This isn't just about eliminating individuals, but completely erasing the idea of Babylon and its lineage, ensuring that not even the memory of its dynasty would survive.
This verse is part of a powerful oracle against the king of Babylon, portraying him as an arrogant oppressor whose pride will lead to his utter downfall. Following the announcement of his impending destruction and descent into the underworld, God declares His intention to completely eradicate his lineage. This emphasizes that not only the king himself, but his entire dynasty, will be wiped out, leaving no trace of his future descendants or their legacy.
Babylon's king thought he was invincible, aiming to ascend to the very heavens. But God has a different plan.
This verse is a powerful declaration from the LORD of Hosts, the ultimate commander. It's not just a political threat; it's a divine decree against arrogance and self-exaltation. The phrase 'I will rise up against them' signifies God actively intervening to bring down those who oppose Him. The prophecy promises the complete annihilation of the king's lineage – name, remnant, descendants, and posterity. This thoroughness leaves no room for doubt: God's judgment on those who defy Him is absolute and final, ensuring their legacy is erased entirely.
God doesn't just defeat enemies; He eradicates their very memory. What does complete annihilation look like?
The prophecy here details an exhaustive destruction. The terms 'name,' 'remnant,' 'descendants,' and 'posterity' cover every possible trace of the king's line. 'Name' refers to the memory and reputation, ensuring no one would remember them. 'Remnant' speaks to those still living, and 'descendants' and 'posterity' cover all future generations. The Hebrew phrasing emphasizes this total extinction, leaving absolutely nothing behind. This isn't just about military defeat; it's about ensuring that the proud and oppressive dynasty would cease to exist in any form, serving as a stark warning against such hubris.
Understand the original words
YHWH Tseva'ot · Hebrew Noun phrase
Refers to the sovereign God of Israel who possesses all authority and commands the armies of heaven, including angels and the stars. It signifies His supreme power over all creation and historical events.
This prophecy about cutting off Babylon's name and lineage speaks directly to the fall of the Babylonian empire to Persia. It highlights the utter destruction of its royal line, ensuring no successor would reign, a powerful image of God's judgment on oppressive nations.
c. 562 BC - 560 BC
Nebuchadnezzar's Reign Ends
Nebuchadnezzar, the powerful king of Babylon, dies after a long reign. While his dynasty would continue for a time, his death marks a turning point, and the prophecy speaks of future desolation.
556 BC - 539 BC
Reign of Nabonidus
Nabonidus, the last native ruler of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, takes the throne. His reign is marked by religious reforms and a growing Persian threat.
539 BC— this verse
Fall of Babylon to Persia
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers Babylon. The city is taken with relative ease, and the Babylonian dynasty is effectively ended, fulfilling prophecies of its destruction.
c. 539 BC
Death of Belshazzar
The last Neo-Babylonian ruler, Belshazzar (often identified with Nabonidus's son), is killed during the Persian conquest. This marks the final end of the Babylonian royal line.
This passage directly echoes Isaiah's prophecy by stating that the princes, wise men, governors, commanders, and warriors of Babylon will be made drunk and sleep an everlasting sleep before its destruction, signifying the complete downfall of its leadership.
Revelation 18:2This New Testament passage describes a powerful, fallen city, often interpreted as a spiritual successor to Babylon, being 'destroyed' and becoming 'a dwelling place for demons,' mirroring the utter desolation and judgment pronounced on literal Babylon in Isaiah.
Daniel 5:25-28This passage recounts the fall of Babylon to the Medes and Persians, directly fulfilling the prophecy that the kingdom would be divided and given to others, thus cutting off the royal line and ending its dynasty.
Ruth 4:14-17This narrative highlights the importance of 'name and remnant' and 'son and nephew' in ancient society, showing how the blessing of descendants ensured a legacy, thus underscoring the severity of God's curse upon Babylon to have all of these extinguished.
wesleyIsaiah 14:22: "For I will rise up against them, saith the LORD of hosts, and cut off from Babylon the name, and remnant, and son, and nephew, saith the LORD."
14:22 Remnant - The remembrance of those that are dead, and the persons of those who yet survive.
barnesIsaiah 14:22: "For I will rise up against them, saith the LORD of hosts, and cut off from Babylon the name, and remnant, and son, and nephew, saith the LORD."
For I will rise up against them, saith the Lord of hosts - That is, against the family of, the king of Babylon. And cut off from Babylon the name - That is, all the "males" of the royal family, so that the name of the monarch shall become extinct (compare Ruth 4:5; Isaiah 56:5). And remnant - All that is left of them; so that the family s…
The prophecy declares God will cut off Babylon's "name and remnant, descendants and posterity." This isn't just about eliminating individuals, but completely erasing the idea of Babylon and its lineage, ensuring that not even the memory of its dynasty would survive.
This verse is part of a powerful oracle against the king of Babylon, portraying him as an arrogant oppressor whose pride will lead to his utter downfall. Following the announcement of his impending destruction and descent into the underworld, God declares His intention to completely eradicate his lineage. This emphasizes that not only the king himself, but his entire dynasty, will be wiped out, leaving no trace of his future descendants or their legacy.
This verse is part of a powerful oracle against the king of Babylon, portraying him as an arrogant oppressor whose pride will lead to his utter downfall. Following the announcement of his impending destruction and descent into the underworld, God declares His intention to completely eradicate his lineage. This emphasizes that not only the king himself, but his entire dynasty, will be wiped out, leaving no trace of his future descendants or their legacy.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Isaiah 14:22 is available in the Sola app.
"“I will rise up against them,” declares the LORD of hosts, “and will cut off from Babylon name and remnant, descendants and posterity,” declares the LORD." — The prophecy declares God will cut off Babylon's "name and remnant, descendants and posterity." This isn't just about eliminating individuals, but completely erasing the idea of Babylon and its lin…
