An old English word meaning “broom” (Isaiah 14:23, King James Version). The Berean Standard Bible and other modern translations use "broom" instead of "besom." The besom, or broom, of destruction, is a metaphor in the Near East, signifying total destruction. It refers to the destruction or “sweeping away” of Babylon by the Lord.
Besom
From Tyndale Bible Dictionary, adapted by Mission Mutual. CC BY-SA 4.0.