Isaiah 43 14

Isaiah 43:14 kjv

Thus saith the LORD, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and have brought down all their nobles, and the Chaldeans, whose cry is in the ships.

Isaiah 43:14 nkjv

Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, The Holy One of Israel: "For your sake I will send to Babylon, And bring them all down as fugitives? The Chaldeans, who rejoice in their ships.

Isaiah 43:14 niv

This is what the LORD says? your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "For your sake I will send to Babylon and bring down as fugitives all the Babylonians, in the ships in which they took pride.

Isaiah 43:14 esv

Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "For your sake I send to Babylon and bring them all down as fugitives, even the Chaldeans, in the ships in which they rejoice.

Isaiah 43:14 nlt

This is what the LORD says ? your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "For your sakes I will send an army against Babylon,
forcing the Babylonians to flee in those ships they are so proud of.

Isaiah 43 verses

Isaiah 43 14 Meaning

This verse describes the mighty actions of God on behalf of His people. He declares that for their sake, He will send to Babylon, a historical adversary, and cause a flight of ships of ships of the Chaldeans, signifying their utter defeat and disruption. The ultimate goal is that Israel, His chosen, might know and experience His divine presence and power.

Isaiah 43 14 Context

This verse is part of Isaiah chapter 43, a powerful section of the prophecy that emphasizes God's faithfulness, His redemptive power, and His unique position as the one true God. The preceding verses (43:1-13) highlight God's intimate knowledge of Israel, His creation of them, their status as His witnesses, and His unwavering commitment to them, even through times of adversity and exile.

Historically, the latter part of Isaiah (chapters 40-55) was likely written during or in anticipation of the Babylonian exile. The audience would have been struggling with their identity, their faith, and the overwhelming power of their oppressors. This chapter speaks directly to their condition, offering a message of hope and assurance. The reference to Babylon points to the specific historical context of the Israelite captivity and the future deliverance orchestrated by God through Cyrus the Persian.

The surrounding verses (43:15-21) continue this theme of redemption, portraying God as the Holy One of Israel, their King and Redeemer, who will make a way through the wilderness for His people and provide new life.

Isaiah 43 14 Word Analysis

he: ( Hebrew: הָוָה - havah ) - refers to "to be", "to become". Here, it's used in the past tense. The sense is "He existed" or "He acted."

sent: ( Hebrew: שָׁלַח - shalach ) - This common Hebrew verb means to send, stretch out, dispatch, or let go. It implies a purposeful sending or a deliberate act of dispatch. In this context, it highlights God's active involvement in directing the course of events.

to: ( Hebrew: אֶל - el ) - A preposition indicating direction or toward.

Babylon: ( Hebrew: בָּבֶל - Bābél ) - The capital city of the Babylonian empire, known for its immense power, wealth, and role as a captor of Israel. The name itself carries connotations of confusion and opposition to God's purposes.

and: ( Hebrew: וְ - ve ) - A conjunction connecting clauses and indicating continuation.

brought: ( Hebrew: לָקַח - lākach ) - A verb meaning to take, get, seize, or carry away. Here it implies bringing into a state of capture or disarray.

them: ( Hebrew: הֵמָּה - hemah ) - The plural pronoun referring to the Chaldeans or Babylonians.

all: ( Hebrew: כֻּלָּם - kullam ) - A quantifier indicating the entirety of those referred to.

in: ( Hebrew: בְּ - be ) - A preposition indicating within or by means of.

flight: ( Hebrew: מְנוּסָה - mĕnûsah ) - Noun meaning flight, escape, or fleeing. It implies a rapid, disorganized departure due to pursuit or panic.

and: ( Hebrew: וְ - ve ) - Conjunction.

the: ( Hebrew: אֶת - et ) - The definite article, marking a specific entity.

Chaldeans: ( Hebrew: כַּשְׂדִּים - Kasdîym ) - A people often associated with Babylon, known for their astrological and divinatory practices. They represent the ruling power and people of Babylon.

with: ( Hebrew: וְ - ve ) - Preposition "and", or "with."

their: ( Hebrew: - pronoun suffix ) - Possessive pronoun.

rejoicing: ( Hebrew: רִנָּה - rinnâh ) - Noun meaning a cry, sound, shouting, joyous shout, or song. In this context, it could imply their accustomed celebrations or perhaps the exultant shouts associated with victory, which are now turned into sounds of panic and flight. Some translations interpret this as "glorious shouts" referring to God's people, but the Hebrew word itself leans towards general shouts or cries, which could be of various natures. Given the context of "flight," it's more likely referring to the internal cries or sounds made by the fleeing people and their oppressors' vehicles or actions.

--- Words-group by words-group analysis ---

• "for your sake": Emphasizes God's unconditional love and specific purpose for Israel. This motive underpins His actions.
• "I sent to Babylon": Highlights God's direct agency. He orchestrates global events and directs the movement of nations, even powerful empires like Babylon.
• "brought them all in flight": The image is one of chaos and defeat for Babylon. God doesn't just conquer them, but causes them to flee, stripping them of their pride and power.
• "and the Chaldeans with their rejoicing": This phrase can be interpreted in a few ways, but a strong interpretation within this context is that even their triumphant shouts are turned into sounds of panicked flight, or that God's actions cause the usual sounds associated with their power to be cries of defeat. Alternatively, it can refer to the joyous shouts of the exiled Israelites as they witness the downfall of their captors and their eventual return. Considering the overarching theme of redemption, the latter might be implied as a consequence.

Isaiah 43 14 Bonus Section

The "ships of the Chaldeans" mentioned in some translations or interpretations of similar contexts might be a poetic allusion to the military might or economic dominance of Babylon that God would cripple. This verse is deeply tied to the concept of the Exodus, God’s historical act of liberation for Israel from Egypt. Here, God demonstrates a similar, and in this context, future-oriented power of deliverance. The message of God orchestrating events through gentile nations (like Persia in the future, though Babylon is named here for direct historical relevance to the exile) is a recurring theme that shows God’s universal power and His specific faithfulness to Israel. This demonstrates that God uses human agencies, even those who oppose Him, to fulfill His purposes.

Isaiah 43 14 Commentary

Isaiah 43:14 is a profound declaration of God's sovereignty over history. It reveals that the vast political and military movements of ancient empires, like Babylon, were not random events but were part of God's divine plan for His people. God is the active agent, "sending" His will into motion to secure the liberation of Israel. The language of bringing the Chaldeans "in flight" conveys the swift and decisive nature of God's intervention, utterly overwhelming the might of the Babylonian empire for the sake of His covenant people. This verse reassures the exiled Israelites that their God has not forgotten them; He is powerful enough to turn the tide of history and break the chains of their oppressors. This sets the stage for their eventual return and the reinforcement of their faith in the one true God. The "rejoicing" or "shouts" associated with the Chaldeans ultimately becomes a testament to their discomfiture or could echo the joyous cries of Israel's returning exiles.