Isaiah47
English Standard Version
1 and in the , O of ; on the a , O of the ! you shall be and .
2 the and , your , your , your , the .
3Your shall be , and your shall be . I will , and I will .
4Our —the Lord of is his — is the of .
5 in , and go , O of the ; you shall be the of .
6I was my ; I my ; I them into your ; you them ; the you your .
7You , I shall be , so that you did these their .
8 therefore , you lover of , who , who in your , am, and there is no me; I shall as a the loss of :
9 things shall to you in a , in ; the loss of and shall you in , in spite of your and the of your .
10You in your , you , No me; your and your led you , and you in your , am, and there is no me.
11But shall you, which you will how to ; shall you, for which you will be to ; and shall you , of which you .
12 in your and your , with you have your ; you may be to ; you may .
13You are with your ; let them and you, those who the , who at the , who at the make shall you.
14 , they are like ; the them; they the of the . for is this, no to !
15 to you are those with you have , who have done with you your ; they , in his own ; there is no to you.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Isaiah 47.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: God's judgments on Babylon. (1-6). Carelessness and confidence shall not prevent the evil. (7-15).
vv1-6
Babylon is represented under the emblem of a female in deep distress. She was to be degraded and endure sufferings; and is represented sitting on the ground, grinding at the handmill, the lowest and most laborious service. God was righteous in his vengeance, and none should interpose. The prophet exults in the Lord of hosts, as the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel. God often permits wicked men to prevail against his people; but those who cruelly oppress them will be punished.
vv7-15
Let us beware of acting and speaking as Babylon did; of trusting in tyranny and oppression; of boasting as to our abilities, relying on ourselves, and ascribing success to our own prudence and wisdom; lest we partake of her plagues. Those in the height of prosperity, are apt to fancy themselves out of the reach of adversity. It is also common for sinners to think they shall be safe, because they think to be secret in wicked ways. But their security shall be their ruin. Let us draw from such passages as the foregoing, those lessons of humility and trust in God which they convey. If we believe the word of God, we may know how it will be with the righteous and the wicked to all eternity. We may learn how to escape the wrath to come, to glorify God, to have peace through life, hope in death, and everlasting happiness. Let us then stand aloof from all delusions.
Key Words
יָרַד: to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); causatively, to bring down (in all the above applications)
יָשַׁב: properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
עָפָר: dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud
בְּתוּלָה: a virgin (from her privacy); sometimes (by continuation) a bride; also (figuratively) a city or state
בַּת: a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
בָּבֶל: Babel (i.e. Babylon), including Babylonia and the Babylonian empire
אֶרֶץ: the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
אַיִן: a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle
כִּסֵּא: properly, covered, i.e. a throne (as canopied)
כַּשְׂדִּי: a Kasdite, or descendant of Kesed; by implication, a Chaldaean (as if so descended); also an astrologer (as if proverbial of that people
Cross References
Isaiah 47Mystic Babylon directly mimics the historical Babylon's boast: 'I sit a queen, and am no widow.'
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Parallels Israel's bold acclamation of her strong Redeemer (Jehovah of hosts) against her Babylonian oppressors.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
God was but a little displeased, but the heathen nations helped forward the affliction without mercy.
Supported by JFB
The exact same arrogant self-deification ('I am, and there is none besides me') applied to Nineveh.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Grinding at the millstones is highlighted as the most humiliating labor reserved for slaves.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
God judges the Chaldeans because they rejoiced and were glad while destroying His heritage.
Supported by JFB
Like Babylon, Jerusalem sinned because she 'remembereth not her last end' (latter end).
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Depicts the wicked man's practical atheism: 'He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten...'
Supported by JFB
The posture of mourning and extreme degradation is sitting in silence on the ground.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Illustrates the daily ancient task of 'two women grinding at the mill' referenced in Isaiah's judgment.
Supported by JFB
Refers to the ultimate societal contrast from the king to 'the maidservant behind the mill.'
Supported by Matthew Poole
Contrasts Babylon's title 'lady of kingdoms' with her ultimate ruin as 'the glory of kingdoms.'
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Laments that the Chaldeans showed no mercy to the elderly, hanging princes and dishonoring elders.
Supported by JFB
God desires wisdom that considers 'their latter end,' which Babylon foolishly ignored.
Supported by John Calvin
The sudden, single-night fulfillment of Babylon's catastrophic downfall under Belshazzar.
Supported by JFB