Isaiah 47:1
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.
Original Language Analysis
רְדִ֣י׀
Come down
H3381
רְדִ֣י׀
Come down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
1 of 20
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
שְׁבִי
and sit
H3427
שְׁבִי
and sit
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
2 of 20
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
3 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
עָפָ֗ר
in the dust
H6083
עָפָ֗ר
in the dust
Strong's:
H6083
Word #:
4 of 20
dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud
בְּתוּלַת֙
O virgin
H1330
בְּתוּלַת֙
O virgin
Strong's:
H1330
Word #:
5 of 20
a virgin (from her privacy); sometimes (by continuation) a bride; also (figuratively) a city or state
בַּת
O daughter
H1323
בַּת
O daughter
Strong's:
H1323
Word #:
6 of 20
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
בָּבֶ֔ל
of Babylon
H894
בָּבֶ֔ל
of Babylon
Strong's:
H894
Word #:
7 of 20
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
שְׁבִי
and sit
H3427
שְׁבִי
and sit
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
8 of 20
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
כִּסֵּ֖א
there is no throne
H3678
כִּסֵּ֖א
there is no throne
Strong's:
H3678
Word #:
11 of 20
properly, covered, i.e., a throne (as canopied)
בַּת
O daughter
H1323
בַּת
O daughter
Strong's:
H1323
Word #:
12 of 20
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
כַּשְׂדִּ֑ים
of the Chaldeans
H3778
כַּשְׂדִּ֑ים
of the Chaldeans
Strong's:
H3778
Word #:
13 of 20
a kasdite, or descendant of kesed; by implication, a chaldaean (as if so descended); also an astrologer (as if proverbial of that people
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
14 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹ֤א
H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
15 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תוֹסִ֙יפִי֙
for thou shalt no more
H3254
תוֹסִ֙יפִי֙
for thou shalt no more
Strong's:
H3254
Word #:
16 of 20
to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)
יִקְרְאוּ
be called
H7121
יִקְרְאוּ
be called
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
17 of 20
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
Cross References
Psalms 137:8O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.Jeremiah 51:33For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; The daughter of Babylon is like a threshingfloor, it is time to thresh her: yet a little while, and the time of her harvest shall come.Jeremiah 50:42They shall hold the bow and the lance: they are cruel, and will not shew mercy: their voice shall roar like the sea, and they shall ride upon horses, every one put in array, like a man to the battle, against thee, O daughter of Babylon.Jeremiah 46:11Go up into Gilead, and take balm, O virgin, the daughter of Egypt: in vain shalt thou use many medicines; for thou shalt not be cured.Zechariah 2:7Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon.Isaiah 3:26And her gates shall lament and mourn; and she being desolate shall sit upon the ground.Isaiah 37:22This is the word which the LORD hath spoken concerning him; The virgin, the daughter of Zion, hath despised thee, and laughed thee to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee.Psalms 18:27For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks.Jeremiah 48:18Thou daughter that dost inhabit Dibon, come down from thy glory, and sit in thirst; for the spoiler of Moab shall come upon thee, and he shall destroy thy strong holds.Revelation 18:7How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.
Historical Context
Babylon fell to Cyrus in 539 BC after seeming invincible for centuries. The city's massive walls and hanging gardens symbolized human achievement, making her fall a theological statement about all empires apart from God.
Questions for Reflection
- What modern 'Babylons' (systems of pride and self-sufficiency) seem invincible but face coming judgment?
- How does Babylon's fall warn against trusting in human achievement or security?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The command for Babylon to 'come down, and sit in the dust' reverses her royal pretensions, depicting humiliation and mourning. The phrase 'virgin daughter of Babylon' employs ironic language - she thought herself inviolable but will be violated by conquest. The removal of her throne signifies divine judgment on human pride; God alone is the judge who puts down one and raises up another (Psalm 75:7).