They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;

ISAIAH 14:16KJV
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Isaiah 14:16 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 14:16 mean?

Isaiah 14:16 describes people staring in disbelief at a fallen ruler, questioning whether this is truly the same man who once caused the earth to tremble and shook kingdoms. The verse shows a dramatic reversal, where someone who was once feared and powerful is now looked at with surprise and even scorn.

In context, Isaiah is speaking a taunt against the king of Babylon, picturing the moment when others see his downfall. The people’s reaction highlights how the mighty can be brought low, and how those who once terrified nations can become objects of curiosity and doubt. The verse uses vivid language to capture the shock and reconsideration of the ruler’s legacy.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 14:16

  • "see" (רָאָה, ra'ah): This word means to look at or observe, emphasizing that people are witnessing the fallen ruler directly, not just hearing about him.
  • "look" (שָׁגַח, shagach): This word is often understood as to gaze intently or scrutinize, suggesting that the onlookers are not just glancing but examining him closely, almost with suspicion or disbelief.
  • "consider" (בִּין, bin): This word means to understand or ponder, showing that the people are thinking deeply about what they see, not just reacting on the surface.
  • "man" (אִישׁ, ish): The use of this word underscores the humanity of the fallen ruler, stripping away his former titles and power, and presenting him as just another person.
  • "tremble" (רָגַז, ragaz) and "shake" (רָעַשׁ, ra'ash): Both words carry the sense of causing fear and upheaval, reinforcing the contrast between the ruler’s former terror and his present weakness.

Why Isaiah 14:16 matters

  • Isaiah 14:16 clears up the idea that power and fear are permanent; even the most intimidating leaders can be brought low and exposed as ordinary.
  • The verse emphasizes the theme of reversal that runs through Isaiah 14, showing how pride and cruelty eventually lead to humiliation.
  • This moment of public scrutiny connects to the wider passage, which mocks the arrogance of Babylon’s king and warns that no earthly power is beyond judgment.

Where else these words appear

“look” Hebrew H7688 · used in 3 verses

  • Psalms 33:14 From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.
  • Song of Solomon 2:9 My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold, he standeth behind our wall, he looketh forth at the windows, shewing himself through the lattice.

“shake” Hebrew H7493 · used in 30 verses

  • Judges 5:4 LORD, when thou wentest out of Seir, when thou marchedst out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, and the heavens dropped, the clouds also dropped water.
  • Isaiah 13:13 Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.
  • Ezekiel 27:28 The suburbs shall shake at the sound of the cry of thy pilots.

“tremble” Hebrew H7264 · used in 40 verses

  • Genesis 45:24 So he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said unto them, See that ye fall not out by the way.
  • Psalms 4:4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
  • Isaiah 32:11 Tremble, ye women that are at ease; be troubled, ye careless ones: strip you, and make you bare, and gird sackcloth upon your loins.

“kingdoms” Hebrew H4467 · used in 113 verses

  • Genesis 10:10 And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.
  • 2 Kings 14:5 And it came to pass, as soon as the kingdom was confirmed in his hand, that he slew his servants which had slain the king his father.
  • Isaiah 13:19 And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.