Verse

Isaiah 14:21

ESV Prepare slaughter for his sons because of the guilt of their fathers, lest they rise and possess the earth, and fill the face of the world with cities."
NIV Prepare a place to slaughter his children for the sins of their ancestors; they are not to rise to inherit the land and cover the earth with their cities.
NASB Prepare a place of slaughter for his sons Because of the wrongdoing of their fathers. They must not arise and take possession of the earth, And fill the surface of the world with cities.'
CSB Prepare a place of slaughter for his sons, because of the iniquity of their fathers. They will never rise up to possess a land or fill the surface of the earth with cities.
NLT Kill this man’s children! Let them die because of their father’s sins! They must not rise and conquer the earth, filling the world with their cities.'
KJV Prepare slaughter for his children for the iniquity of their fathers; that they do not rise, nor possess the land, nor fill the face of the world with cities.
NKJV Prepare slaughter for his children Because of the iniquity of their fathers, Lest they rise up and possess the land, And fill the face of the world with cities.”

What does Isaiah 14:21 mean?

The king of Babylon ruled over many nations with an iron fist and ambitions that reached the heavens. Isaiah has shown that this king imagined he would take his place among the gods after taking control of the world (Isaiah 14:13–14). Instead, his very name will be lost to history, at least as far as the people he ruled over are concerned (Isaiah 14:20).

To keep the king's family from becoming a dynasty, the people declare their intention to eliminate his descendants. These potential heirs will pay the price for the crimes against humanity done by their father. They will be killed to eliminate any chance that they emerge, as their father did, and take possession of the world.

Following the death of its powerful king, the time of Babylon will pass away. This king will serve as one more example that the arrogance of human kings is misplaced. Power on earth is given and taken by the Lord (Isaiah 14:22).
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