Isaiah 14:3-5, The Origin of Lucifer, part III of III

//In part I of this discussion, I pointed out the origin of the name Lucifer, and how its meaning evolved through various translations.

In part II, I pointed out how we have combined the scriptural writings of authors living hundreds of years apart to apparently solve a puzzle, building the story of Lucifer as another name for Satan, who was cast out of heaven. This understanding prevailed throughout much of the church history, up to the time of the Reformation when we began to examine scripture more critically.

In part III, we’ll examine the context of that one verse in Isaiah, the only place in the Bible where the name Lucifer is found, to see what it originally meant. Chapter 13 of Isaiah begins a long section known as the “oracles against foreign nations.” Verse 13:1 reads,

The burden against Babylon which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw.

This theme spills over into chapter 14, as Isaiah continues to critique Babylon and her king. We arrive shortly at today’s verse, telling of the fall of the tyrant king of Babylon. The tirade continues until we reach verse 14:12,

How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!

According to Isaiah, Lucifer will not enjoy the decent burial of his fellow kings, because he has “destroyed his land and slain his people.” So God will rise up against Babylon.

Lucifer is almost certainly king Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.