What does Isaiah 14:28 mean?
Isaiah begins a new oracle—a prophecy—in this verse. This "burden" (Ezekiel 12:10 NASB; Malachi 1:1 KJV) is written against the nation of Philistia. This nation had been a longtime enemy of Israel (Judges 10:7; 1 Samuel 4:1; 7:10; 14:52; 2 Samuel 21:15; 1 Chronicles 10:1). The prophet writes this prophecy in the year that King Ahaz dies (2 Kings 16:20; 2 Chronicles 28:27). It is one of three prophecies in the book of Isaiah that can be anchored, at least vaguely, to a specific time. The others are found in Isaiah 6 and Isaiah 20:1–2.Commentators suggest Ahaz may have died in 715 BC. This would have been when the Philistines were attempting to revolt against the Assyrians during the reign of Sargon II (Isaiah 20:1; 1 Samuel 5:1). Others think Ahaz may have died earlier than that date.
Chapter 14:28–32 contains Isaiah's short oracle from the Lord against Philistia. It is thick with symbolism. But the time of its writing is specific: the year Judah's King Ahaz died, probably 715 BC. Despite the temporary victory over Assyria, Isaiah warns the Philistines not to rejoice. He seems to describe the return of the Assyrians as an "adder branch" that bears fruit in the form of a flying fire serpent. The Lord declares He will kill the root of the Philistines with famine. This prediction would be fulfilled through the Assyrians and Sargon II four years later.
After the oracle against Babylon in the previous chapter, Isaiah briefly describes what will follow for Judah. In compassion, the Lord will choose His people once more. He will return them to their homeland. They will sing a mocking taunt-song against the fallen king of Babylon. Isaiah pronounces oracles from the Lord against Assyria and Philistia. The Lord will break the Assyrians in His land. With heavy symbolism, Isaiah seems to prophecy that the Assyrians will defeat the Philistines with a siege four years before it happens. God's people will find refuge in Zion.
