Lucifer

This is one of those places where the KJV used the Vulgate to clarify the text.

A classic verse on the origin of Satan OR a classic case of misinterpretation?

Would you include this verse in a doctrinal statement about demons?

Rob

 

The word "Lucifer" for some reason has been accepted as a name for "Satan", although this is the only occurrence of the word in the entire Bible.

There are several problems with an interpretation of this passage as a reference to Satan: 1). Isaiah clearly says it is the king of Babylon (14:4).
2). He is a man (14:16).
3). He is said to be dead (14:9, 11, 19),
4). He is destroyed his land and his people (14:20).
5). In death, he was “not be united with them [his people] in burial".

Is there biblical evidence that any other rulers would display such pompous arrogance?
(Daniel 4:25 – Nebuchadnezzar)
(Daniel 11:37, and 2 Thessalonians 2:4 – the Antichrist)
There might be some that would declare this even in this day.

No other reference to this passage is found in the Old or New Testament that points us to reading Isaiah 14:12-15 in anything but a literal way.

All the evidence points to it being a description of a historical ruler of Babylon.

To insist that it be interpreted to mean anything else breaks the commonly accepted rules of hermeneutics.
We can speculate but we can’t use this as a doctrinal proof text.

Rob

 

“How you have fallen from heaven,
O star of the morning, son of the dawn!
vs 12 NAS

He's not seen falling, it's a comparison to his desire;
‘I will ascend to heaven;
I will raise my throne above the stars of God.

The image is a fall as precipitously low as his heart's desire was high.

Robycop, you state:

You have heard of the divine right of kings?
The Kings of the Old-World believed they were God's authority on earth.

The Babylonians themselves had a long history of vain, foolhearty pride (even up to the present time).
They attempted to build the tower of Babal saying: "Come, let us build for ourselves a city, and a tower whose top will reach into heaven".

Rob