Isaiah 47:3
Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen: I will take vengeance, and I will not meet thee as a man.
Original Language Analysis
תִּגָּל֙
shall be uncovered
H1540
תִּגָּל֙
shall be uncovered
Strong's:
H1540
Word #:
1 of 10
to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal
עֶרְוָתֵ֔ךְ
Thy nakedness
H6172
עֶרְוָתֵ֔ךְ
Thy nakedness
Strong's:
H6172
Word #:
2 of 10
nudity, literally (especially the pudenda) or figuratively (disgrace, blemish)
גַּ֥ם
H1571
גַּ֥ם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
3 of 10
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
תֵּרָאֶ֖ה
shall be seen
H7200
תֵּרָאֶ֖ה
shall be seen
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
4 of 10
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 10
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Historical Context
Babylon's fall in 539 BC involved the humiliation of her priesthood, nobility, and religious system. The Nabonidus Chronicle records the capture of Babylon's king and the cessation of festival rituals. The city that dominated the ancient Near East for centuries became a Persian province overnight. Isaiah's prophecy written 150+ years earlier demonstrated God's sovereign control over history - Babylon's judgment was certain because God decreed it long before Babylon reached its zenith.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the certainty of divine judgment on unrepentant sinners intensify your urgency to proclaim the gospel?
- In what ways does Christ's willingness to have His shame exposed (nakedness on the cross) cover your shame and guilt?
- What contemporary 'Babylons' - empires, ideologies, or power structures - appear invincible yet face certain divine judgment?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen. The Hebrew ervah (nakedness) carries connotations of sexual vulnerability and covenant violation (Leviticus 18:6-18). God promises complete exposure of Babylon's sins and degradation. The parallel term cherpah (shame, disgrace) indicates public humiliation before nations. What Babylon concealed through propaganda and intimidation will be revealed in judgment.
"I will take vengeance, and I will not meet thee as a man" declares God's uniquely divine justice. The phrase is interpretively challenging; most likely meaning God will not be pacified through human negotiation or bribery. When God executes judgment, no diplomacy, wealth, or military strength can avert consequences. The verb naqam (take vengeance) affirms God's prerogative to punish wickedness - vengeance belongs to the LORD (Deuteronomy 32:35, Romans 12:19).
Reformed theology recognizes here both God's justice and mercy paradoxically displayed. Justice demands exposure and punishment of sin; mercy provides Christ who was 'uncovered' and shamed in our place (Hebrews 12:2). Babylon received justice without mercy; believers receive mercy without compromising justice - Christ satisfied both divine attributes at Calvary. The certainty of judgment for the impenitent underscores the preciousness of the gospel for the elect.