Isaiah 47:13
Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee.
Original Language Analysis
נִלְאֵ֖ית
Thou art wearied
H3811
נִלְאֵ֖ית
Thou art wearied
Strong's:
H3811
Word #:
1 of 15
to tire; (figuratively) to be (or make) disgusted
עֲצָתָ֑יִךְ
of thy counsels
H6098
עֲצָתָ֑יִךְ
of thy counsels
Strong's:
H6098
Word #:
3 of 15
advice; by implication, plan; also prudence
יַעַמְדוּ
stand up
H5975
יַעַמְדוּ
stand up
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
4 of 15
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
נָ֨א
H4994
נָ֨א
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
5 of 15
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
וְיוֹשִׁיעֻ֜ךְ
and save
H3467
וְיוֹשִׁיעֻ֜ךְ
and save
Strong's:
H3467
Word #:
6 of 15
properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor
שָׁמַ֗יִם
H8064
שָׁמַ֗יִם
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
8 of 15
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
הַֽחֹזִים֙
the stargazers
H2374
הַֽחֹזִים֙
the stargazers
Strong's:
H2374
Word #:
9 of 15
a beholder in vision; also a compact (as looked upon with approval)
בַּכּ֣וֹכָבִ֔ים
H3556
בַּכּ֣וֹכָבִ֔ים
Strong's:
H3556
Word #:
10 of 15
a star (as round or as shining); figuratively, a prince
מֽוֹדִעִים֙
prognosticators
H3045
מֽוֹדִעִים֙
prognosticators
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
11 of 15
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
מֵאֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
מֵאֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
13 of 15
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
Isaiah 44:25That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish;Isaiah 57:10Thou art wearied in the greatness of thy way; yet saidst thou not, There is no hope: thou hast found the life of thine hand; therefore thou wast not grieved.Jeremiah 51:58Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The broad walls of Babylon shall be utterly broken, and her high gates shall be burned with fire; and the people shall labour in vain, and the folk in the fire, and they shall be weary.Ezekiel 24:12She hath wearied herself with lies, and her great scum went not forth out of her: her scum shall be in the fire.
Historical Context
Babylon's astronomical observations were accurate enough to predict eclipses, yet this scientific achievement was integrated into astrological superstition. The 'monthly prognosticators' refers to those who determined lucky/unlucky days based on moon phases.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the multiplication of self-help advice, therapy options, and life coaches today parallel Babylon's weary counsel-seeking?
- What is the difference between godly wisdom and the wearying multiplication of human counsel?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The taunt 'Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels' exposes how multiplication of human wisdom increases confusion rather than clarity. The progression (astrologers, stargazers, monthly prognosticators) shows desperate resort to increasingly specific divination as crisis looms. Isaiah's sarcasm 'Let now the astrologers...save thee' demonstrates that those who reject God's free revelation must laboriously purchase false alternatives.