Isaiah 14:14

14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.

Isaiah 14:14 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 14:14

I will ascend above the heights of the clouds
Which are the chariots of God, and in which he rides, and so this proud monarch affected to be as he; perhaps some reference is had to the cloud in which Jehovah dwelt in the temple. The Targum is,

``I will ascend above all people,''

compared to clouds for their multitude. In the mystical sense, the true ministers of the word may be meant, so called for their height, motion, swiftness, and fulness of Gospel doctrine, compared to rain; see ( Isaiah 5:6 ) ( Revelation 11:6 Revelation 11:7 ) . I will be like the most High;
so Satan affected to be, and this was the bait he laid for our first parents, and with which they were taken; and nothing less than deity could satisfy some ambitious princes, as Caligula, and others; and this was what the Babylonish monarch aspired to, and ordered to be ascribed to him, and be regarded as such, either while living, or at least after death, which was what had been done to many Heathen princes. So antichrist is represented as showing himself to be God, ( 2 Thessalonians 2:4 ) by calling and suffering himself to be called God; by assuming all power in heaven and in earth; taking upon him to depose kings and dispose of kingdoms at pleasure; dispensing with the laws of God, and making new ones; absolving men from their oaths, pardoning their sins, setting up himself as infallible, as the sole interpreter of Scripture, and judge of controversies. The Targum is,

``I will he higher than them all;''

than the kings of the earth, and all other bishops.

Isaiah 14:14 In-Context

12 How you are fallen from heaven, day-star, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, who laid the nations low!

13 You said in your heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; and I will sit on the mountain of congregation, in the uttermost parts of the north;

14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.

15 Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the uttermost parts of the pit.

16 Those who see you shall gaze at you, they shall consider you, [saying], "Is this the man who made the earth to tremble, who shook kingdoms;