Twenty-one parallel verses depict the opposite character traits of the end-time King of Babylon in Isaiah 14 and the King of Zion and his end-time servant in Isaiah 52–53. By juxtaposing these archetypal figures, this structure reveals a lot about the righteous attributes of Israel’s God and his servant. One cannot therefore fully interpret either of these passages and their kings without considering the many prophetic and theological connotations this literary device contains.
The Servant-Tyrant Parallelism
This structure’s opposite archetypal figures reveal God’s definitions of good and evil: one smites and oppresses the nations while the other intervenes to save them; one has ambitions of being like the Most High God while the other submits to being the lowliest of men; one causes havoc and disaster while the other brings peace and healing; one exalts himself to high heaven and ends up humiliated while the other endures an imposed humiliation and ends up exalted;
One suffers ignominy that is redemptive for his people while the other suffers ignominy that is irrevocable; one rules through tyranny that has an end while the other reigns in peace that has no end; one is put to death for his own crimes while the other is put to death for the crimes of his people; one leaves no offspring behind while the other has everlasting offspring; one receives no burial for his corpse while the other receives a proper burial; and so forth, verse by verse.
The Servant–Tyrant Parallelism contains many ideas unexplored here that illustrate the dynamics of God’s relationship with his people and the role played by the forces of evil. While wicked entities pose opposition, they also provide the means for spiritual ascent when God empowers his people over them. As exemplars of righteousness and wickedness, this structure’s archetypal figures teach profound concepts that are imperative for God’s people to comprehend.