“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)
God declares He will wipe out "name and remnant, descendants and posterity" from Babylon, not just to end a dynasty, but to eradicate any memory or continuing influence of its pride. This isn't just about eliminating heirs; it's a complete cultural and existential erasure, leaving absolutely nothing to carry on the fallen empire's legacy.
“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 passage is part of a taunting song or oracle directed at the king of Babylon, highlighting his pride and impending downfall. The preceding verses describe his boasts and the judgment that will fall upon him. This verse directly follows the prophecy of his eventual death and burial, emphasizing the complete annihilation of his lineage and legacy by God's decree.
Have you ever wondered what true annihilation looks like in God's eyes? This verse paints a picture that goes beyond simple defeat.
God declares His intention to 'cut off from Babylon name and remnant, descendants and posterity.' This isn't just about defeating an army or deposing a king. It's a comprehensive, sweeping judgment aimed at total extinction.
Beyond Physical Death
It's a complete severing – no one left alive, no one remembered, and no one to come after.
Who is really in charge when empires fall? This verse leaves no doubt about the ultimate authority at play.
The statement 'declares the LORD of hosts' is repeated, underscoring that this isn't just a political shift or a natural decline. This judgment is a direct decree from the Almighty.
The Lord of Hosts
This title, 'LORD of hosts,' is powerful. It speaks of God's immense power and authority over all the armies of heaven and earth. When He 'rises up against' someone, there is no escaping His might.
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A Divine Purpose
This judgment isn't random. It's a purposeful act against a power that has likely been characterized by pride and oppression, as the broader context of Isaiah 14 suggests. God's rising up signifies His active intervention to bring His sovereign will to bear.
Pride often leads to a fall, but what does that fall look like when it's divinely ordained?
While this verse specifically mentions 'Babylon,' the context in Isaiah 14 points strongly towards the king of Babylon, often understood as Belshazzar, as the embodiment of that empire's arrogance. The judgment here is the final act against such proud and oppressive rule.
Judgment on Arrogance
Commentaries suggest that the king of Babylon was known for his haughtiness and ambition to be like the Most High (Isaiah 14:13-14). This prophecy serves as the ultimate consequence for such defiance. God's promise to 'rise up against them' is a direct response to their presumptuous pride.
Historical Fulfillment
Scholarly interpretations point to Belshazzar as a likely fulfillment. In his reign, the Babylonian empire fell to the Medes and Persians. He was killed during the night of the city's capture, and his dynasty ended abruptly, with no successors known to history. This aligns perfectly with God's declaration of cutting off every trace of their line.
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 against Babylon's dynasty unfolds in the context of the city's eventual fall and the end of its empire. The utter destruction of its royal line, down to the last descendant, underscores God's sovereignty over even the mightiest empires and His ultimate vindication of His people.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern kingdom of Israel, exiling its population. This event sets a precedent for imperial conquest and the destruction of nations.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar's forces first capture Jerusalem, taking prominent citizens, including Daniel, into Babylonian exile. This marks the beginning of the Babylonian dominance over Judah.
587/586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem
Nebuchadnezzar completely destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling most of the remaining population. This is a catastrophic event for the Jewish people, leaving them vulnerable and displaced.
539 BC— this verse
Fall of Babylon to Persia
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers Babylon, ending the Neo-Babylonian Empire. This event fulfills prophecies of Babylon's downfall and leads to the return of Jewish exiles.
c. 538 BC
Edict of Cyrus
Cyrus issues a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Judah and rebuild their Temple. This marks a turning point for the Jewish people after their Babylonian captivity.
This passage echoes Isaiah's prophecy by stating that Babylon will be made a desolation, with its name and remnant completely removed, emphasizing the totality of its destruction.
Ezekiel 29:14-15Similar to the fate of Babylon, Egypt is described as being humbled and reduced to a lowly kingdom, with its pride broken and its people scattered, illustrating the divine judgment on arrogant nations.
Revelation 18:2This New Testament passage directly references Babylon, declaring it has fallen and become a dwelling place for demons, mirroring the utter ruin and desolation prophesied in Isaiah.
Ruth 4:5This passage uses the concept of cutting off 'name and remnant' in the context of a familial line, paralleling Isaiah's prophecy by showing the severe consequence of failing to provide an heir, signifying the complete end of a lineage.
Matthew 5:12While speaking of persecution, Jesus mentions that rewards will be great in heaven for those who are reviled and persecuted, indirectly relating to the idea of a righteous legacy that transcends earthly ruin, contrasting with the complete annihilation of Babylon's name.
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…
God declares He will wipe out "name and remnant, descendants and posterity" from Babylon, not just to end a dynasty, but to eradicate any memory or continuing influence of its pride. This isn't just about eliminating heirs; it's a complete cultural and existential erasure, leaving absolutely nothing to carry on the fallen empire's legacy.
This passage is part of a taunting song or oracle directed at the king of Babylon, highlighting his pride and impending downfall. The preceding verses describe his boasts and the judgment that will fall upon him. This verse directly follows the prophecy of his eventual death and burial, emphasizing the complete annihilation of his lineage and legacy by God's decree.
This passage is part of a taunting song or oracle directed at the king of Babylon, highlighting his pride and impending downfall. The preceding verses describe his boasts and the judgment that will fall upon him. This verse directly follows the prophecy of his eventual death and burial, emphasizing the complete annihilation of his lineage and legacy by God's decree.
"“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." — God declares He will wipe out "name and remnant, descendants and posterity" from Babylon, not just to end a dynasty, but to eradicate any memory or continuing influence of its pride. This isn't just…
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Last reviewed October 2026