Topical Bible: The Wicked are Compared to Carcasses Trodden Under Feet

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In the Scriptures, the imagery of the wicked being compared to carcasses trodden underfoot is a powerful metaphor that underscores the ultimate judgment and disgrace that befalls those who oppose God. This vivid depiction is primarily found in the prophetic literature of the Old Testament, where the fate of the wicked is contrasted starkly with the destiny of the righteous.

Isaiah 14:19

One of the most striking references to this imagery is found in Isaiah 14:19. The prophet Isaiah, speaking of the downfall of the king of Babylon, declares: "But you are cast out of your grave like a rejected branch, covered by those slain with the sword, and dumped into a rocky pit like a carcass trampled underfoot." . Here, the king, a symbol of pride and rebellion against God, is likened to a carcass that is not given the honor of a proper burial but is instead left to be trampled underfoot. This serves as a metaphor for the utter humiliation and disgrace that accompanies divine judgment.

Symbolism and Meaning

The comparison of the wicked to carcasses trodden underfoot carries several layers of meaning. Firstly, it signifies the complete and total defeat of those who set themselves against God. Just as a carcass is lifeless and powerless, so too are the wicked rendered impotent in the face of God's righteous judgment.

Secondly, this imagery conveys the idea of dishonor. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, burial was a significant rite, and to be denied a proper burial was considered a great disgrace. The wicked, in their rebellion, are denied the dignity and respect that might otherwise be accorded to them, highlighting the shame that accompanies their downfall.

Psalm 110:1

The theme of enemies being subdued underfoot is also echoed in Psalm 110:1, where it is written: "The LORD said to my Lord: 'Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.'" . While this verse primarily speaks to the messianic reign of Christ, it also reflects the broader biblical theme of God's ultimate victory over His adversaries, with the wicked being symbolically placed underfoot.

Revelation 19:17-18

In the New Testament, the imagery of the wicked as carcasses is further expanded in the apocalyptic vision of Revelation. Revelation 19:17-18 describes a scene of divine judgment: "Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried out in a loud voice to all the birds flying overhead, 'Come, gather together for the great supper of God, so that you may eat the flesh of kings and commanders, the flesh of mighty men, of horses and riders, and the flesh of all men, free and slave, small and great.'" . This passage, while not explicitly mentioning trampling, conveys a similar sense of the ignominious end of the wicked, whose bodies become food for the birds, emphasizing their defeat and disgrace.

Theological Implications

The comparison of the wicked to carcasses trodden underfoot serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and rebellion against God. It underscores the certainty of divine justice and the ultimate triumph of righteousness. This imagery calls believers to reflect on the seriousness of sin and the importance of aligning oneself with God's will, lest they too face a similar fate. The metaphor also offers hope to the faithful, assuring them that evil will not prevail and that God's justice will ultimately be realized.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 14:19
But you are cast out of your grave like an abominable branch, and as the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, that go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcass trodden under feet.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Cry of the Heathen
... hoof is splashed with blood; where the very carcasses of men ... India (and are they
not one or two, compared with their ... Of course it will be very wicked if I dare ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the cry of the heathen.htm

A Treatise of the Fear of God;
... Was this only the temper of wicked men then ... fear of thee upon the nations that are
under the whole ... any of thy sins for heinousness may be compared therewith, as ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a treatise of the fear.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... Now therefore let all the wicked men be far from ... to vanity," is in travail, and groans
under the burthen that ... to which both the law and the gospel is compared. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm