Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 14:26
This [is] the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth: and this [is] the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations.
26, 27. This plan of Jehovah embraces the destinies of all nations (see ch. Isa 28:22, Isa 10:23, Isa 8:9). The expression “the whole earth” is not to be restricted to the Assyrian Empire, nor on the other hand is the meaning that all other peoples shall suffer the same fate as Assyria; it is simply that the event announced is of world-wide importance, and affects the interests of humanity at large. This indeed followed from the ambitious designs of Assyria, which could not stop short of universal empire. But Isaiah no doubt looked deeper than this, and thought of its bearings on the religious future of mankind. The two verses are a striking testimony to the grandeur of Isaiah’s conception of the Divine government.
this is the hand that is stretched out ] cf. Isa 14:26, ch. Isa 5:25, Isa 9:12, &c.
ii. Isa 14:28-32. An oracle on Philistia. The Philistines, who are rejoicing at the fall of some cruel oppressor, are warned that the dreaded power will soon be re-established in a more terrible form than ever ( Isa 14:29). A contrast is then drawn between the miserable fate of the Philistines and the peace and security in store for Israel ( Isa 14:30). In Isa 14:31 the warning is repeated, and it is indicated that the formidable enemy is one who comes from the north. Meanwhile ambassadors from a foreign people (no doubt the Philistines) are in Jerusalem awaiting an answer to their proposals; and the prophet gives the answer in the name of Jehovah, as he does in the case of the Ethiopian envoys in ch. 18.
The situation which best combines the various allusions of the prophecy would seem to be the death of some Assyrian monarch, which in Isaiah’s time was invariably the signal for active conspiracy among the states of Palestine (General Introd., pp. xiv f.). That the broken rod is Ahaz and the future oppressor Hezekiah, although suggested by the title, appears to be excluded by Isa 14:31, where the invasion is said to come from the north. It is still less natural to suppose that the rod is a Jewish dominion, and the threatened danger an Assyrian supremacy, because Isa 14:29 seems to imply that the new tyranny springs from the same root as the old. Assuming, then, that two successive Assyrian kings are meant, there are three occasions within the lifetime of Isaiah which satisfy the conditions required by the prophecy: the death of Tiglath-pileser III. in 727; of Shalmaneser IV. in 722; and of Sargon in 705. It is hardly possible with the data at our disposal to decide between these periods. Each of the monarchs named had ravaged the Philistine territory; the death of each was followed by an outbreak of disaffection in which the Philistines took a leading part, and at any time Isaiah would have given the advice to his countrymen which he virtually gives here. On the last occasion we might perhaps have expected a reference to the overthrow of Assyria, as in the answer to the Ethiopians about the same time (ch. 18). The first event mentioned corresponds approximately with one of the dates assigned for the death of Ahaz (727), and would therefore go far to vindicate the accuracy of the superscription.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
This is the purpose – This is the sum of the whole design – a design that embraces the destruction both of the king of Assyria, and of Babylon.
Upon the whole earth – The successive kingdoms of Assyria and Babylonia embraced the whole earth, and to destroy them would in fact affect all the nations.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Upon the whole earth; upon this vast empire, now in the hands of the Assyrians, and shortly to come into the hands of the Babylonians.
The whole earth is put synecdochically for a great part of it. The hand; the providence of God executing his purpose.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
26. This is . . . purpose . . .whole earthA hint that the prophecy embraces the present worldof all ages in its scope, of which the purpose concerning Babylon andAssyria, the then representatives of the world power, is but a part.
hand . . . stretched outuponnamely, in punishment (Isa5:25).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
This [is] the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth, c] Or, “counsel that is counselled”. The Targum is,
“all the inhabitants of the earth”
and the Septuagint version, “the whole world”, meaning the Assyrian empire, and all states depending on it; as the Roman empire is called, Lu 2:1 for this purpose respects not the end of the world, and the judgment of it at the last day, as some have thought; but the preceding prophecy, purpose, or counsel, concerning breaking and trampling under foot the Assyrians, and delivering the Jews from subjection to them:
and this [is] the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations; of which the Assyrian army consisted, or which made up the Assyrian monarchy, or depended on it, and fell with it. “Purpose” denotes the counsel, will, and decree of God, about this business; and “hand” the execution of it. The Targum renders it “power”; so “hand” and “counsel” go together in Ac 4:28. The Targum is
“on all kingdoms.”
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
26. This purpose which is purposed upon the whole earth. The Lord is not satisfied with one or two confirmations, and can scarcely refrain from proclaiming it more and more abundantly, because he knows well that our minds are naturally prone to distrust. No confirmation suffices for us, even though his promises be frequent and copious and solemn. God therefore wishes to remedy this disease, and that is the design of the repetition, so that we must not think that it is superfluous. They who suppose that the Prophet, or rather the Spirit of God, uses too many words, are not well acquainted with themselves.
He declares, first, the will and purpose of God, and, secondly, his power. How comes it that we have any doubts about the word, but because we do not ascribe to God that power which belongs to him, or because we are not convinced of his power? These are the only two causes of our unbelief, with which, on the other hand, we ought to contrast the two things which Isaiah recommends to our notice, namely, the purpose and the power of God. We ought to believe, first, that God is true, for he declares nothing that is not fixed and unchangeable; and, secondly, that he is powerful, and that nothing can withstand his arm. Again, we must not inquire about the secret purpose of God: for the Prophet here enjoins us to rest satisfied with the decree which has been manifested in the word of God. We must not rise any higher, therefore, so as to penetrate into the secrets of God; but we ought to be satisfied with undoubted proofs which he declares by the mouth of the prophets. Let us therefore embrace all the promises of God with our whole heart, and let us also add to them his power; for his hand ought never to be separated from his mouth. We must not imagine his power to be, as philosophers talk, a power that is unemployed, but, as the Scriptures teach us, powerful and active.
A question may here arise, Why does he mention the whole earth and all the nations, when he is only speaking about Babylon? But we must keep in remembrance what we formerly said, that the Babylonian empire, after having swallowed up Nineveh, extended nearly through the whole of the east, and that various nations were subject to it. The consequence was, that the devastation of that empire was also the destruction of the whole world; for such great monarchies cannot fall without involving many in an extensive ruin. Accordingly, as the extent of that empire might lead men to call in question this prophecy, Isaiah shows that, though it be spread far and wide, and includes a boundless multitude of nations, that does not prevent God from executing his decree.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(26) This is the hand that is stretched out . . .The words point, as it were, to the idea of a universal history. The fall of the Assyrian power and of Babylon does not stand alone, but forms part of a scheme embracing all nations and all ages (Isa. 9:12).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
26, 27. This is the purpose The sense of these verses is, That the “purpose” formed against Babylon and Assyria is also formed against all peoples who deserve punishment, and it must be executed. Rules of justice control the Almighty in regard to all nations, and they cannot be changed.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Isa 14:26 This [is] the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth: and this [is] the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations.
Ver. 26. This is the purpose that is purposed. ] Heb., The council that is consulted. Now there are many devices in the heart of man, but, when all is done, the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand. Pro 19:21
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
purpose. hand. Note the Alternation of these two words in Isa 14:26 and Isa 14:27.
stretched out: i.e. in judgment.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
whole earth
This universality is significant and marks the whole passage as referring, not merely to a near judgment upon Assyria, but in a yet larger sense to the final crash of the present world-system at the end of the age. (See “Times of the Gentiles,” Luk 21:24; Rev 16:14; Dan 2:44; Dan 2:45 “Armageddon,”; Rev 16:14; Rev 19:17. No other such universal catastrophe on the nations is known to Scripture.
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
Isa 5:25, Zep 3:6-8
Reciprocal: Psa 102:16 – When Pro 19:21 – nevertheless Isa 10:23 – determined Isa 19:17 – because Isa 25:11 – he shall spread Jer 30:24 – fierce Zep 1:4 – stretch Zec 6:1 – and the Rom 9:11 – that the 2Ti 1:9 – according to his Heb 6:17 – the immutability