John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 47:1
Come down, and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon ,.... The kingdom of Babylon is meant, as the Targum paraphrases it; or the Babylonish monarchy, called a virgin, because it had never been subdued and conquered from the first setting of it up, until it was by Cyrus; so Herodotus F3 Clio, sive l. 1. c. 191. says, this was the first time that Babylon was taken; and also because of the beauty and glory of it: but now it is called to come down from its height and excellency,... read more
Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 47:1-6
In these verses God by the prophet sends a messenger even to Babylon, like that of Jonah to Nineveh: ?The time is at hand when Babylon shall be destroyed.? Fair warning is thus given her, that she may by repentance prevent the ruin and there may be a lengthening of her tranquility. We may observe here, I. God's controversy with Babylon. We will begin with that, for there all the calamity begins; she has made God her enemy, and then who can befriend her: Let her know that the righteous Judge,... read more