Isaiah 14:3

And it shall come to passe in the day that the Lord shal giue thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy feare, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serue, Isaiah 14:3 (KJV)

The sentence quoted above does not appear in any standard translation of the Bible, including the King James Version. Nevertheless, Isaiah chapter 14 contains a prophetic oracle against the king of Babylon that conveys a similar promise of deliverance for God’s people. The book of Isaiah was composed during the era of the Assyrian and Babylonian empires, and the prophet received visions concerning the fate of several nations, among them Babylon, which later carried Judah into exile. Earlier, the Assyrian Empire had already conquered the northern kingdom of Israel (2 Kings 17:6), setting the stage for the later Babylonian oppression.

Isaiah 14 opens with verses 1‑2 that speak of Israel’s restoration and the compassion the Lord will show to His people. The focus then shifts, in verses 3‑23, to a vivid description of the downfall of the Babylonian ruler. The passage is often labeled a “taunt” or “oracle” against the king, emphasizing his arrogance and the certainty of divine judgment. While the exact wording of the quoted sentence is not found in the text, the themes of a future day when the Lord will bring relief from sorrow, fear, and bondage are echoed in the broader context of the chapter.

The oracle underscores that it is God who will bring about the king’s defeat and Israel’s liberation. The language points to the removal of oppressive rule and the establishment of peace for God’s people. This deliverance is presented not merely as a political reversal but also as a spiritual restoration, freeing the nation from the bondage of sin and fear.

Beyond its historical application to Babylon, the passage carries symbolic significance for readers throughout the ages. It points to God’s overarching promise to free His people from any form of tyranny—whether earthly oppression or the spiritual captivity of sin—and to restore them to a state of peace and security.