Isaiah Chapter 47 · Verse 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.
Original Language Analysis
כֵּ֥ן
H3651
כֵּ֥ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
1 of 12
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
הָיוּ
H1961
הָיוּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
2 of 12
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 12
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יָגָ֑עַתְּ
Thus shall they be unto thee with whom thou hast laboured
H3021
יָגָ֑עַתְּ
Thus shall they be unto thee with whom thou hast laboured
Strong's:
H3021
Word #:
5 of 12
properly, to gasp; hence, to be exhausted, to tire, to toil
סֹחֲרַ֣יִךְ
even thy merchants
H5503
סֹחֲרַ֣יִךְ
even thy merchants
Strong's:
H5503
Word #:
6 of 12
to travel round (specifically as a pedlar); intensively, to palpitate
מִנְּעוּרַ֗יִךְ
from thy youth
H5271
מִנְּעוּרַ֗יִךְ
from thy youth
Strong's:
H5271
Word #:
7 of 12
(only in plural collective or emphatic form) youth, the state (juvenility) or the persons (young people)
אִ֤ישׁ
every one
H376
אִ֤ישׁ
every one
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
8 of 12
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
לְעֶבְרוֹ֙
to his quarter
H5676
לְעֶבְרוֹ֙
to his quarter
Strong's:
H5676
Word #:
9 of 12
properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on the opposite side (especially of the jordan; ususally meaning
Historical Context
Babylon's commercial network spanned from India to Egypt, making her the ancient world's economic hub. The city also attracted magicians, astrologers, and sorcerers from across Mesopotamia (v. 12-13). When Cyrus conquered Babylon in 539 BC, her merchant partners and occult practitioners scattered, prioritizing self-preservation over loyalty. The detailed description of merchant abandonment suggests Isaiah knew Babylon's economic foundation would prove illusory when tested by divine judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- What relationships, resources, or systems have you 'laboured with from your youth' that would prove inadequate if truly tested by crisis?
- How does the merchants' scattering 'every one to his quarter' warn against building your life on transactional rather than covenantal relationships?
- In what ways does Christ prove to be the Savior who never abandons, in contrast to Babylon's fair-weather allies?
Analysis & Commentary
Thus shall they be unto thee with whom thou hast laboured, even thy merchants, from thy youth. Babylon's commercial and magical partners prove utterly worthless in crisis. The Hebrew yaga' (laboured, toiled) indicates exhausting effort Babylon invested in alliances, trade networks, and occult practices. The phrase "from thy youth" suggests these relationships were long-established, dating to Babylon's origins. Yet accumulated partnerships cannot avert divine judgment.
"They shall wander every one to his quarter; none shall save thee" depicts panic-driven abandonment. When judgment strikes, Babylon's supposed allies scatter to protect themselves. The verb ta'ah (wander, stray) suggests confused flight without destination - fair-weather friends reveal their true character in catastrophe. The stark conclusion "none shall save thee" (ein moshia'ech) creates maximum contrast with Israel's God, repeatedly called Savior throughout Isaiah.
Reformed theology finds here a warning against misplaced trust. Human alliances, wealth, and wisdom cannot substitute for covenant relationship with God. Babylon's elaborate systems - commercial, military, religious - collapsed utterly because they lacked the one foundation that endures: the living God. This echoes Christ's parable of the wise and foolish builders (Matthew 7:24-27) - only what's built on God's word withstands judgment's storm.