Isaiah 47:7
And thou saidst, I shall be a lady for ever: so that thou didst not lay these things to thy heart, neither didst remember the latter end of it.
Original Language Analysis
לְעוֹלָ֖ם
for ever
H5769
לְעוֹלָ֖ם
for ever
Strong's:
H5769
Word #:
2 of 13
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
אֶהְיֶ֣ה
H1961
אֶהְיֶ֣ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
3 of 13
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
עַ֣ד
H5704
עַ֣ד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
5 of 13
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שַׂ֥מְתְּ
so that thou didst not lay
H7760
שַׂ֥מְתְּ
so that thou didst not lay
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
7 of 13
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
9 of 13
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
לִבֵּ֔ךְ
these things to thy heart
H3820
לִבֵּ֔ךְ
these things to thy heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
10 of 13
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
11 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Deuteronomy 32:29O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!Isaiah 47:5Sit thou silent, and get thee into darkness, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called, The lady of kingdoms.Jeremiah 5:31The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?
Historical Context
Babylon's confidence rested on military might, economic dominance, and religious prestige. Her 400-year dominance (roughly 900-539 BC) seemed to validate permanence claims, yet God's judgment came suddenly 'in one day' (v. 9).
Questions for Reflection
- What areas of your life do you assume will last 'forever' without considering God's sovereign purposes?
- How does regularly 'remembering the latter end' (mortality, judgment) affect present priorities?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Babylon's boast 'I shall be a lady for ever' reveals the presumption of permanence that characterizes all worldly kingdoms. The failure to 'lay these things to thy heart' or 'remember the latter end' exposes spiritual blindness to God's judgment. This warning applies to all who think their prosperity or power is self-derived and permanent rather than God-granted and conditional.