7. The Servant–Tyrant Parallelism

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

Isaiah 14
Isaiah 52-53
The Tyrant strikes the nations.
The nations feel God’s saving arm.
The Tyrant subjugates the nations.
The Servant purifies the nations.
The Tyrant causes havoc and destruction.
The Servant causes peace and healing.
The Tyrant keeps people in bondage.
The Servant releases people from bondage.
The Tyrant aspires to be as the Most High.
The Servant is as the lowliest of men.
The Tyrant enjoys prominence.
The Servant endures ignominy.
The Tyrant “ascends” in the heavens.
The Servant “ascends” out of the earth.
The Tyrant is deposed as king.
The Servant returns as King of Zion.
The Tyrant’s reign of tyranny ends.
The Servant’s reign of peace begins.
The Tyrant is exiled to Sheol (Hell).
The Servant’s people return from exile.
The Tyrant is utterly humiliated.
The Servant is highly exalted.
The Tyrant is slain for his own crimes.
The Servant is slain for others’ crimes.

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.

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8. A Chaos/Creation Chiasm