In Isaiah 14:12 the KJV speaks of "Lucifer, son of the morning." This has led
many people through the centuries to surmise that the reference is to the devil,
Satan, who as they believe was cast out of heaven.
Herein lies a threefold problem. (1) The word "Lucifer" was taken from the
Latin Vulgate, not the Hebrew text. (2) The word "Lucifer" even if it were correct
(which it is not) does not refer to Satan. To give it this reference ignores the
context. (3) This does not accurately reflect what the Hebrew text says.
More modern English versions such as the ASV, RSV, NASB, NIV, NRSV,
and HCSB drop "Lucifer," and more accurately read, "Day star" "Star of the
morning" and "Shining morning star." Why do they depart from the rendering of
the KJV? Why have they abandoned the traditional rendering "Lucifer?" It is for
the sake of accuracy. When traditional translations are inaccurate they must be
abandoned for the sake of textual accuracy. Accuracy must always "trump"
tradition! (cf. Mark 7:8)
The phrase in the Hebrew text is helel ben-sahar. The Brown-Driver-Briggs
Hebrew lexicon indicates the meaning helel to be "a shining one, epithet of king
of Babylon." (page 237) Holladay's lexicon defines it as "morning star." Other
Hebrew lexicons agree.
Contextually, the "day star" or "morning star" does not refer to Satan, but
the king of Babylon. In verse 3, Isaiah said, "You will take up this taunt against
the king of Babylon." (NIV-2011) Briefly stated, the "taunt" or "proverb" was
against the king of Babylon because of his pomp, arrogance, and conceit! "Babylon,
the jewel of kingdoms, the pride and glory of the Babylonians, will be overthrown
by God like Sodom and Gomorrah." (Isaiah 13:19) Babylon would come to an
end. Her king would descend to Sheol, the place of departed spirits. He would
become as weak as the nations he has overthrown. Maggots would be his bed and
worms would be his covering! (Isaiah 14:11) The king of Babylon would fall from
heaven, that is, a high and exalted position. Cast down to the earth! Yes, he will
"bite the dust." He would be brought low! He who said "I will ascend to the
heavens...above the stars" would meet complete disaster.
Yahweh hates pride. May we never forget, "Pride goes before destruction,
a haughty spirit before a fall." (Proverbs 16:18 NIV-2011)
R. Daly
Copyright, 2015
many people through the centuries to surmise that the reference is to the devil,
Satan, who as they believe was cast out of heaven.
Herein lies a threefold problem. (1) The word "Lucifer" was taken from the
Latin Vulgate, not the Hebrew text. (2) The word "Lucifer" even if it were correct
(which it is not) does not refer to Satan. To give it this reference ignores the
context. (3) This does not accurately reflect what the Hebrew text says.
More modern English versions such as the ASV, RSV, NASB, NIV, NRSV,
and HCSB drop "Lucifer," and more accurately read, "Day star" "Star of the
morning" and "Shining morning star." Why do they depart from the rendering of
the KJV? Why have they abandoned the traditional rendering "Lucifer?" It is for
the sake of accuracy. When traditional translations are inaccurate they must be
abandoned for the sake of textual accuracy. Accuracy must always "trump"
tradition! (cf. Mark 7:8)
The phrase in the Hebrew text is helel ben-sahar. The Brown-Driver-Briggs
Hebrew lexicon indicates the meaning helel to be "a shining one, epithet of king
of Babylon." (page 237) Holladay's lexicon defines it as "morning star." Other
Hebrew lexicons agree.
Contextually, the "day star" or "morning star" does not refer to Satan, but
the king of Babylon. In verse 3, Isaiah said, "You will take up this taunt against
the king of Babylon." (NIV-2011) Briefly stated, the "taunt" or "proverb" was
against the king of Babylon because of his pomp, arrogance, and conceit! "Babylon,
the jewel of kingdoms, the pride and glory of the Babylonians, will be overthrown
by God like Sodom and Gomorrah." (Isaiah 13:19) Babylon would come to an
end. Her king would descend to Sheol, the place of departed spirits. He would
become as weak as the nations he has overthrown. Maggots would be his bed and
worms would be his covering! (Isaiah 14:11) The king of Babylon would fall from
heaven, that is, a high and exalted position. Cast down to the earth! Yes, he will
"bite the dust." He would be brought low! He who said "I will ascend to the
heavens...above the stars" would meet complete disaster.
Yahweh hates pride. May we never forget, "Pride goes before destruction,
a haughty spirit before a fall." (Proverbs 16:18 NIV-2011)
R. Daly
Copyright, 2015
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