Israel’s Eschatological Enemy: The Identity of the King of Babylon in Isaiah 14:4–21

by Timothy Allen Little

Publisher:

Wipf and Stock

, 2020

Overview

Who is the king of Babylon in Isaiah 14? The early church sometimes identified him as Nebuchadnezzar, but most also saw a deeper meaning in Isa 14:12-14, believing this section referred to Satan. Many current scholars reject both views and offer a variety of alternatives. Little argues that “shining one” (Lucifer) in Isa 14:12 is the king of Babylon. This book analyzes the mashal (proverb) genre and argues that the Isa 14 mashal must be a real person, not a symbolic, ideal, eclectic, or representative king. Scholars have presented nine historic kings as the king of Babylon. Little compiles a list of fifteen criteria from Isa 13-14, evaluates these nine kings, and demonstrates that no historic king comes close to fulfilling the fifteen criteria. Instead, Little argues that the king of Babylon is Israel’s eschatological enemy. Through the use of catchwords and temporal particles, he first demonstrates that the oracle is a unit. Then he proves that this Babylonian judgment is eschatological. All foreign languages have been translated, allowing the student of prophecy and theology to benefit from this work. Those interested in the mashal genre, Hebrew poetry, and Isaianic exegesis will also find this book stimulating.

Key Features

• Proves that this Babylonian judgment is eschatological.
• Brings conclusion based on a deep, clear, and accurate exegesis of Isa 14 alone.
• Explores the king of Babylon as Israel’s eschatological enemy.

Praise for the Print Edition

The identity of the king of Babylon (Isa 14) has perplexed scholars for millennia. The strength and uniqueness of Little’s approach is that his conclusion is based on a deep, clear, and accurate exegesis of Isa 14 alone. This strength allows the reader to see how Isaiah’s original audience would have understood the king of Babylon as Israel’s eschatological enemy. This work is a valuable addition in Isaiah studies for scholars, pastors, and interested laypeople.

—Mark McGinniss, Assistant Seminary Dean, Baptist Bible Seminary

Product Details

• Title: Israel’s Eschatological Enemy: The Identity of the King of Babylon in Isaiah 14:4–21
• Author: Timothy Allen Little
• Publisher: Wipf and Stock
• Print Publication Date: 2020
• Pages: 200
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
• ISBNs: 9781725256897, 1725256894
• Resource ID: LLS:SRLSSCHTLG14421
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2023-01-04T22:48:20Z

About Timothy Allen Little

Timothy Allen Little is assistant professor of Old Testament at Faith Baptist Theological Seminary in Ankeny, Iowa. He has taught Hebrew for over fifteen years, written several articles, produces A Little Hebrew (a daily Hebrew newsletter), and blogs at timothylittle.net.