Isaiah 47:6
I was wroth with my people, I have polluted mine inheritance, and given them into thine hand: thou didst shew them no mercy; upon the ancient hast thou very heavily laid thy yoke.
Original Language Analysis
קָצַ֣פְתִּי
I was wroth
H7107
קָצַ֣פְתִּי
I was wroth
Strong's:
H7107
Word #:
1 of 16
to crack off, i.e., (figuratively) burst out in rage
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 16
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
עַמִּ֗י
with my people
H5971
עַמִּ֗י
with my people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
3 of 16
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
חִלַּ֙לְתִּי֙
I have polluted
H2490
חִלַּ֙לְתִּי֙
I have polluted
Strong's:
H2490
Word #:
4 of 16
properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin
נַחֲלָתִ֔י
mine inheritance
H5159
נַחֲלָתִ֔י
mine inheritance
Strong's:
H5159
Word #:
5 of 16
properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
וָאֶתְּנֵ֖ם
and given
H5414
וָאֶתְּנֵ֖ם
and given
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
6 of 16
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
בְּיָדֵ֑ךְ
them into thine hand
H3027
בְּיָדֵ֑ךְ
them into thine hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
7 of 16
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שַׂ֤מְתְּ
thou didst shew
H7760
שַׂ֤מְתְּ
thou didst shew
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
9 of 16
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
12 of 16
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הִכְבַּ֥דְתְּ
heavily
H3513
הִכְבַּ֥דְתְּ
heavily
Strong's:
H3513
Word #:
14 of 16
to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same
Cross References
Zechariah 1:15And I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction.Deuteronomy 28:50A nation of fierce countenance, which shall not regard the person of the old, nor shew favour to the young:2 Chronicles 28:9But a prophet of the LORD was there, whose name was Oded: and he went out before the host that came to Samaria, and said unto them, Behold, because the LORD God of your fathers was wroth with Judah, he hath delivered them into your hand, and ye have slain them in a rage that reacheth up unto heaven.Obadiah 1:10For thy violence against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off for ever.James 2:13For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.Isaiah 10:6I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.Isaiah 14:17That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?Psalms 69:26For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten; and they talk to the grief of those whom thou hast wounded.Obadiah 1:16For as ye have drunk upon my holy mountain, so shall all the heathen drink continually, yea, they shall drink, and they shall swallow down, and they shall be as though they had not been.Isaiah 13:16Their children also shall be dashed to pieces before their eyes; their houses shall be spoiled, and their wives ravished.
Historical Context
Nebuchadnezzar's destruction of Jerusalem (586 BC) included temple desecration, mass slaughter, and deportation. While God ordained this judgment (Jeremiah 27:6), Babylon's excessive cruelty and mockery (Psalm 137:3) merited her own judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- How can God use evil to accomplish good purposes while still judging the evil agents?
- When has God's discipline in your life been intensified by others' lack of mercy?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God's statement 'I was wroth with my people' admits His agency in using Babylon to discipline Israel, yet 'thou didst shew them no mercy' condemns Babylon for exceeding her mandate with cruel oppression. This demonstrates that God can employ evil instruments for good purposes while still holding them accountable for their evil intentions (Genesis 50:20). Babylon's judgment arises from cruel pride, not mere obedience to God's disciplinary purposes.