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 two opposite kinds of archetypal figures, this structure teaches us more about God and his servant. (The third and seventh parallel verses, which lie outside of this structural arrangement, celebrate God’s salvation. See similar third and seventh laudatory elements in Nahum 1:3, 7.)
The Servant-Tyrant Parallelism
This structure’s two archetypal figures reveal God’s definition 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 irrevocable ignominy; one rules with tyranny that comes to 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 reveals many ideas not explored here that are important to the dynamics of God’s relationship with his people and the role served by the powers of evil. While the latter 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 many spiritual concepts imperative for humanity to learn.