Lexical Summary murdaph: Pursued, persecuted Original Word: מֻרְדָּף Strong's Exhaustive Concordance persecuted From radaph; persecuted -- persecuted. see HEBREW radaph NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom radaph Definition persecution NASB Translation persecution (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [מִרְדָּה] noun feminine dominion; — as accusative of congnate meaning with verb מִרְדַּת בְּלִי חָשָׂ֑ךְ Isaiah 14:6, construct before clause (Ges§ 130d; so most for ᵑ0 מֻרְדָּף q. v. below רדף). מֻרְדָּף noun [masculine] persecution (si vera lectio) (formed like Hoph`al Participle); — Isaiah 14:6, but ᵑ7 Thes and most מִרְדַּת q. v. Topical Lexicon Overview of Meaning Strong’s Hebrew 4783, מֻרְדָּף, depicts relentless pursuit or persecution. In Isaiah 14:6 it communicates the idea of an oppressor who will not cease hounding his victims, emphasizing an unbroken chain of tyranny. Canonical Occurrence Isaiah 14:6: “He who struck the peoples in wrath with unceasing blows, who subdued the nations in rage with relentless persecution.” The word appears only here, yet its singular use is weighty, portraying the Babylonian king as the embodiment of cruel, continual harassment against nations. Historical Background Isaiah 13–14 pronounces judgment on Babylon, the superpower responsible for Judah’s exile. Babylon’s policy of crushing subject peoples (2 Kings 24–25; Jeremiah 39:5–10) fulfills the picture of “relentless persecution.” The oracle anticipates the empire’s fall to the Medes (Isaiah 13:17) and envisions global relief when the tyrant’s rod is broken (Isaiah 14:4–5). Theological Significance 1. Divine Justice: מֻרְדָּף underscores God’s awareness of systemic oppression. The Lord’s promise to “break the staff of the wicked” (Isaiah 14:5) demonstrates His sovereignty over human history and His commitment to vindicate the afflicted (Psalm 72:4; Revelation 6:10). Intertextual Resonance – Psalms often lament similar relentless pursuit (Psalm 7:1; Psalm 143:3), echoing the experience of sufferers under tyranny. – The New Testament assures believers that persecution will persist yet be overruled by Christ’s triumph (John 15:20; 2 Timothy 3:12; Revelation 2:10). – Jesus identifies with the persecuted (Acts 9:4), reversing the dynamic of מֻרְדָּף by bearing persecution Himself (1 Peter 2:23) so that ultimate deliverance might be secured. Ministry and Pastoral Application 1. Comfort for the Oppressed: Isaiah 14:6–7 offers hope that unrelenting harassment has an endpoint determined by God. Homiletical Trajectories – “When the Pursuer is Pursued”: tracing how God turns the tables on oppressors, climaxing in the final judgment. – “From Relentless Persecution to Perfect Peace”: contrasting the Babylonian tyrant with the Prince of Peace whose rule brings rest (Isaiah 9:6–7). – “The Staff Broken, the Song Begun”: using Isaiah 14 to show how divine justice births praise among liberated peoples. Devotional Insight Meditate on Isaiah 14:6–7, thanking God that every form of מֻרְדָּף will ultimately be silenced. Let this assurance fuel intercession for persecuted believers and embolden personal witness. Forms and Transliterations מֻרְדָּ֖ף מרדף mur·dāp̄ murDaf murdāp̄Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Isaiah 14:6 HEB: בָאַף֙ גּוֹיִ֔ם מֻרְדָּ֖ף בְּלִ֥י חָשָֽׂךְ׃ NAS: with unrestrained persecution. KJV: in anger, is persecuted, [and] none INT: anger the nations persecution none hindereth 1 Occurrence |
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