And the people shall take them, and bring them to their place: and the house of Israel shall possess them in the land of the LORD for servants and handmaids: and they shall take them captives, whose captives they were; and they shall rule over their oppressors.

ISAIAH 14:2KJV
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Isaiah 14:2 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 14:2 mean?

Isaiah 14:2 pictures a dramatic reversal for Israel. People who had been held captive and oppressed are brought back to their own place. The verse then portrays Israel holding their former captors as servants and ruling over those who once oppressed them.

Following the promise of Israel’s return in verse 1, Isaiah describes other peoples taking part in the journey. The words “whose captives they were” make the reversal personal: the people who once had power over Israel are now under Israel’s power.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 14:2

  • “possess” — נָחַל (naḥal): This word can carry the sense of receiving or holding something as a possession. Here, the KJV uses it for Israel’s control over people in the land, not merely for owning land.
  • “rule” — רָדָה (radah): This word means to exercise authority or rule. In this verse, the people subject to that rule are identified as Israel’s former “oppressors.”

Why Isaiah 14:2 matters

  • The return involves more than a change of location. The verse speaks of “servants and handmaids,” presenting a picture in which the balance of power has changed.
  • The promise stands beside a song about the fall of Babylon’s king. In verse 4, Israel is told to take up a saying against that king, giving the picture of released captives a wider setting.
  • The verse describes other peoples both helping Israel and coming under Israel’s control. Its opening says they “bring them to their place,” while its later words speak of captivity and rule.

Where else these words appear

“oppressors” Hebrew H5065 · used in 23 verses

  • Exodus 3:7 And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;
  • 1 Samuel 13:6 When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait,(for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.
  • Isaiah 9:4 For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.

“rule” Hebrew H7287 · used in 25 verses

  • Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
  • Judges 14:9 And he took thereof in his hands, and went on eating, and came to his father and mother, and he gave them, and they did eat: but he told not them that he had taken the honey out of the carcase of the lion.
  • Psalms 72:8 He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.

“captives” Hebrew H7617 · used in 42 verses

  • Genesis 14:14 And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.
  • 1 Kings 8:47 Yet if they shall bethink themselves in the land whither they were carried captives, and repent, and make supplication unto thee in the land of them that carried them captives, saying, We have sinned, and have done perversely, we have committed wickedness;
  • 2 Chronicles 28:11 Now hear me therefore, and deliver the captives again, which ye have taken captive of your brethren: for the fierce wrath of the LORD is upon you.

“handmaids” Hebrew H8198 · used in 58 verses

  • Genesis 12:16 And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.
  • Genesis 32:5 And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and menservants, and womenservants: and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find grace in thy sight.
  • 2 Samuel 14:12 Then the woman said, Let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak one word unto my lord the king. And he said, Say on.