Isaiah 14:17
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?
American King James Version (AKJV)
That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?
American Standard Version (ASV)
that made the world as a wilderness, and overthrew the cities thereof; that let not loose his prisoners to their home?
Basic English Translation (BBE)
Who made the world a waste, overturning its towns; who did not let his prisoners loose from the prison-house.
Webster's Revision
That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed its cities; that opened not the house of his prisoners?
World English Bible
who made the world like a wilderness, and overthrew its cities; who didn't release his prisoners to their home?"
English Revised Version (ERV)
that made the world as a wilderness, and overthrew the cities thereof; that let not loose his prisoners to their home?
Barnes's Isaiah 14:17 Bible Commentary
That made the world as a wilderness - That made cities and kingdoms desolate.
That opened not the house of his prisoners - This is a description of his oppression and cruelty. Of course many prisoners would be taken in war. Instead of giving them liberty, he threw them into prison and kept them there. This may be rendered, 'his prisoners he did not release that they might return home' (see the Margin). The Chaldee renders it, 'To his prisoners he did not open the door.' The sense is substantially the same. The idea is, that he was cruel and oppressive. He threw his captives into dungeons, and found pleasure in retaining them there.
Wesley's Isaiah 14:17 Bible Commentary
14:17 Cried not - Whereby he signifies both his irresistible power, and his continued cruelty.
