Isaiah 14:17 Meaning and Explanation
“That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The king turned the world into a wilderness by destroying cities and imprisoned people without release.
The Context of Isaiah 14:17
The king's cruelty toward peoples and cities is itemized.
What Does Isaiah 14:17 Mean?
Two crimes are enumerated: destruction of cities (turning habitable land to waste) and imprisonment of people (holding them captive indefinitely). The 'house of his prisoners' refers to prisons where captives languished without hope of freedom.
The word 'opened not'—he never released them—reveals a particular cruelty. Not only did he capture; he held captives forever, offering no redemption.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 14:17
What does Isaiah 14:17 mean?
The king turned the world into a wilderness by destroying cities and imprisoned people without release.
What is the context of Isaiah 14:17?
The king's cruelty toward peoples and cities is itemized.