Lexical Summary matbeach: Slaughterhouse, place of slaughter Original Word: מַטְבֵּחַ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance slaughter From tabach; slaughter -- slaughter. see HEBREW tabach NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom tabach Definition a slaughtering place NASB Translation place of slaughter (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מַטְבֵּחַ noun [masculine] slaughtering-place (Phoenician מטבח id. CISi. 175), Isaiah 14:21, for Babylonians (under implicit figurative of animals). Topical Lexicon Definition and Occurrence מַטְבֵּחַ appears once in the Old Testament (Isaiah 14:21). The term denotes a place or act of slaughter, a deliberate and organized execution rather than a casual killing. Being a hapax legomenon, its nuance must be gathered from context and its broader theological framework. Context in Isaiah 14:21 The verse addresses the downfall of the king of Babylon and his dynasty: “Prepare a place to slaughter his sons for the iniquity of their fathers; they must never rise to possess the land or fill the face of the world with cities.” (Isaiah 14:21) The imagery is stark. The prophet foresees complete eradication of a tyrannical lineage so that the oppressive empire can never re-emerge. מַטְבֵּחַ underscores the severity of divine justice: judgment reaches beyond the individual monarch to his progeny because the entire system is complicit in rebellion against the Lord. Historical Background Babylon epitomized human pride, idolatry, and cruelty (Isaiah 14:4-6; Jeremiah 50–51). Ancient Near-Eastern conquerors often exterminated rivals to prevent future insurrection; Isaiah employs that familiar concept to portray God’s total overthrow of a world power that had exalted itself “above the stars of God” (Isaiah 14:13). The prophet’s audience—Judah under threat from imperial forces—would hear comfort: the seemingly invincible oppressor will meet a fatal, irrevocable judgment. Theological Significance 1. Retributive Justice: The slaughter is “for the iniquity of their fathers.” Scripture consistently affirms both individual responsibility (Ezekiel 18:20) and corporate consequences (Exodus 20:5). Isaiah balances these truths: the sons share in the father’s guilt by continuing his wicked policies; therefore, the punishment is just. Foreshadowing and Christological Insight While Babylon’s king receives slaughter, the New Testament presents a striking reversal: the innocence of Jesus Christ contrasted with guilty tyrants. At Calvary, the true King voluntarily submits to a “slaughter” (Acts 8:32 echoing Isaiah 53:7) bearing the iniquity of others so that repentant sinners—including former oppressors (Acts 9:1-15)—might be spared. Thus מַטְבֵּחַ points both to uncompromising justice and to the cross where justice and mercy meet. Practical Ministry Applications • Preaching: Isaiah 14:21 warns that unrepentant pride and systemic evil invite certain judgment. Proclaim the urgency of repentance and the hope found in Christ. Related Biblical Themes and Cross-References Genesis 15:16 – corporate sin “not yet complete” awaiting judgment 1 Samuel 15:2-3 – Amalek’s generational guilt and decisive punishment Jeremiah 51:37 – Babylon as ruins, “a heap of rubble” Revelation 18:8 – end-time Babylon consumed “in one day,” echoing Isaiah’s language of total destruction Summary מַטְבֵּחַ captures the grim but righteous aspect of God’s judgment on entrenched, generational evil. Isaiah 14:21 assures the faithful that no empire is beyond His reach, while indirectly directing all humanity to the only safe refuge: the sacrificial death and victorious resurrection of Jesus Christ, the One who transforms deserved slaughter into deliverance for all who believe. Forms and Transliterations מַטְבֵּ֖חַ מטבח maṭ·bê·aḥ matBeach maṭbêaḥLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Isaiah 14:21 HEB: הָכִ֧ינוּ לְבָנָ֛יו מַטְבֵּ֖חַ בַּעֲוֹ֣ן אֲבוֹתָ֑ם NAS: for his sons a place of slaughter Because of the iniquity KJV: Prepare slaughter for his children INT: Prepare his sons A place of the iniquity of their fathers 1 Occurrence |
    |