An Oracle against Philistia

28 In the year that King Ahaz died,(A) this oracle came:(B)

29 Don’t rejoice, all of you in Philistia,
because the rod of the one who struck you(C) is broken.
For a viper will come from the root[a] of a snake,
and from its egg comes a flying serpent.(D)
30 Then the firstborn(E) of the poor will be well fed,
and the impoverished will lie down in safety,
but I will kill your root with hunger,
and your remnant will be slain.[b]
31 Wail, you gates!(F) Cry out, city!
Tremble with fear,(G) all Philistia!
For a cloud of dust is coming from the north,(H)
and there is no one missing from the invader’s ranks.
32 What answer will be given to the messengers from that nation?
The Lord has founded Zion,(I)
and His afflicted people find refuge in her.

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 14:29 Or stock
  2. Isaiah 14:30 DSS, Syr, Tg; MT reads and he will kill

A Message about Philistia

28 This message came to me the year King Ahaz died:[a]

29 Do not rejoice, you Philistines,
    that the rod that struck you is broken—
    that the king who attacked you is dead.
For from that snake a more poisonous snake will be born,
    a fiery serpent to destroy you!
30 I will feed the poor in my pasture;
    the needy will lie down in peace.
But as for you, I will wipe you out with famine
    and destroy the few who remain.
31 Wail at the gates! Weep in the cities!
    Melt with fear, you Philistines!
A powerful army comes like smoke from the north.
    Each soldier rushes forward eager to fight.

32 What should we tell the Philistine messengers? Tell them,

“The Lord has built Jerusalem[b];
    its walls will give refuge to his oppressed people.”

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Footnotes

  1. 14:28 King Ahaz died in 715 B.c.
  2. 14:32 Hebrew Zion.