Isaiah 14:23 Made Simple

KJV ORIGINAL

I will also make it a possession for the bittern, and pools of water: and I will sweep it with the besom of destruction, saith the LORD of hosts.

Close to the original. Clear modern English.

✦ MADE SIMPLE

I will turn it into a place where only wild birds live and swamps of water. I will sweep it clean with the broom of destruction, says the LORD of armies.

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

God is declaring that He will completely destroy and abandon a place, turning it into a desolate wasteland where only wild animals remain.

📚 Historical Context

Isaiah was a prophet in ancient Judah during a time when the Assyrian and Babylonian empires threatened the nation, and this verse is part of his prophecy against Babylon's arrogance and cruelty. He foretells Babylon's total destruction as an act of divine judgment, turning it into a desolate wasteland inhabited by wild creatures. This reflects God's role as the sovereign judge of nations in the biblical narrative.

Explore Similar Verses

Jeremiah 50:22

You can hear the sounds of war echoing across the land, armies clashing and everything falling apart.

Jeremiah 46:8

Egypt rises up like a massive flood, with waters rushing like wild rivers. They're saying, 'We're going to sweep across the whole earth and completely destroy every city and everyone living there.'

Daniel 11:22

His enemies will get completely swept away like they're caught in a massive flood, they'll be totally crushed and broken. Even the prince who made the covenant won't survive this.

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📚 Historical Context

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