Isaiah Chapter 47

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Chapter Overview

Isaiah 47 is a prophetic oracle chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of obedience, truth, creation. Written during the Assyrian and pre-exilic periods (c. 740-680 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Addressed Judah during Assyria's rise, Babylon's threat, and anticipated restoration.

The chapter can be divided into several sections:

  1. Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
  2. Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
  3. Verses 13-15: Central message and teachings

This chapter is significant because it addresses timeless questions about faith, suffering, and divine purpose. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Isaiah and its broader place in the scriptural canon.

The Fall of Babylon

1 Come down, and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon, sit on the ground: there is no throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called tender and delicate. References Babylon: Psalms 137:8, Jeremiah 50:42, 51:33, Zechariah 2:7. Parallel theme: Isaiah 3:26, 37:22, Psalms 18:27, Jeremiah 46:11, 48:18, Revelation 18:7 +5

2 Take the millstones, and grind meal: uncover thy locks, make bare the leg, uncover the thigh, pass over the rivers. Parallel theme: Isaiah 20:4, Exodus 11:5, Judges 16:21, Job 31:10, Matthew 24:41, Luke 17:35

3 Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen: I will take vengeance, and I will not meet thee as a man. Parallel theme: Nahum 3:5

4 As for our redeemer, the LORD of hosts is his name, the Holy One of Israel. Redemption: Isaiah 41:14, 43:14, 44:6, 49:26

5 Sit thou silent, and get thee into darkness, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called, The lady of kingdoms. Parallel theme: Isaiah 47:7, Habakkuk 2:20

6 I was wroth with my people, I have polluted mine inheritance, and given them into thine hand: thou didst shew them no mercyMercy: רַחֲמִים (Rachamim). The Hebrew rachamim (רַחֲמִים) derives from 'womb' (rechem), suggesting tender, maternal compassion. God's mercies are 'new every morning' (Lamentations 3:23), showing His compassionate nature.; upon the ancient hast thou very heavily laid thy yoke. Grace: James 2:13. Parallel theme: Isaiah 10:6, 13:16, 14:17, Deuteronomy 28:50, 2 Chronicles 28:9, Psalms 69:26, Obadiah 1:10, 1:16, Zechariah 1:15 +5

7 And thou saidst, I shall be a lady for ever: so that thou didst not lay these things to thy heart, neither didst remember the latter end of it. Parallel theme: Isaiah 47:5, Deuteronomy 32:29, Jeremiah 5:31

8 Therefore hear now this, thou that art given to pleasures, that dwellest carelessly, that sayest in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me; I shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children: Parallel theme: Isaiah 32:9, 45:6, 47:10, Jeremiah 50:11, Zephaniah 2:15

9 But these two things shall come to thee in a moment in one day, the loss of children, and widowhood: they shall come upon thee in their perfection for the multitude of thy sorceries, and for the great abundance of thine enchantments. Parallel theme: Psalms 73:19, Nahum 3:4, 1 Thessalonians 5:3

10 For thou hast trusted in thy wickedness: thou hast said, None seeth me. Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee; and thou hast said in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me. Faith: Isaiah 59:4, Psalms 52:7. Parallel theme: Isaiah 5:21, 29:15, 44:20, Jeremiah 23:24, Ezekiel 8:12, 9:9, Romans 1:22, 1 Corinthians 3:19 +5

11 Therefore shall evil come upon thee; thou shalt not know from whence it riseth: and mischief shall fall upon thee; thou shalt not be able to put it off: and desolation shall come upon thee suddenly, which thou shalt not know. Parallel theme: Luke 12:59, 1 Thessalonians 5:3, Revelation 3:3

12 Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast laboured from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail. Parallel theme: Jeremiah 2:28, Nahum 3:4

13 Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and saveSave: יָשַׁע (Yasha). The Hebrew yasha (יָשַׁע) means to save or deliver—rescue from danger or distress. This is the root of 'Jesus' (Yeshua), meaning 'YHWH saves.' God alone is Savior: 'I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour' (Isaiah 43:11). thee from these things that shall come upon thee. Parallel theme: Isaiah 44:25, 57:10, Jeremiah 51:58, Ezekiel 24:12

14 Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: there shall not be a coal to warm at, nor fire to sit before it. Parallel theme: Isaiah 10:17, 41:2, Ezekiel 15:7, Nahum 1:10, Malachi 4:1, Matthew 10:28

15 Thus shall they be unto thee with whom thou hast laboured, even thy merchants, from thy youth: they shall wander every one to his quarter; none shall save thee.