Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Isaiah 47:9
(9) In their perfection.—Better, in their completeness. She should taste the full bitterness of widowhood and bereavement.For the multitude of thy sorceries.—Better, in spite of . . . read more
Isaiah 47
Charles John Ellicott
Charles John Ellicott
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Isaiah 47:10
(10) For thou hast trusted in thy wickedness . . .—Babylon, like other nations that have followed in her steps, took for its law that Might was Right, practically denied the existence of a Ruler who saw and judged, and boasted of its wisdom. The context implies that the special form of wisdom spoken of was that of astrology and magic. read more
Charles John Ellicott
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Isaiah 47:11
(11) Thou shalt not be able to put it off . . .—The words have been variously rendered: (1) of which thou shalt know no dawn, i.e., after the night of calamity; and (2) which thou shalt not be able to charm away. Stress is laid on the destruction being at once unforeseen and irretrievable. read more
Charles John Ellicott
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Isaiah 47:12
(12) If so be thou shalt be able . . .—The words come with a subtle tone of irony. Persevere in thy enchantments . . . perchance thou wilt be able to profit, perchance thou wilt strike terror. read more
Charles John Ellicott
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Isaiah 47:13
(13) Let now the astrologers . . .—The three words describe two aspects of the same art—(1) the dividers of the heavens, assigning stellar influences to the signs of the Zodiac; (2) the “star-gazers,” further defined as those who make known things to come at the new moon. The Assyrian and Chaldæan observers compiled an almanack, in which the days of the month were noted as severally lucky or unlucky for the incidents of war or of home-life, as the case might be. read more
Charles John Ellicott
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Isaiah 47:14
(14) There shall not be a coal to warm at.—Better, it shall not be . . . The destroying flame shall be altogether other than the fire on the hearth, at which a man can sit and warm himself. read more
Charles John Ellicott
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Isaiah 47:15
(15) Thy merchants, from thy youth . . .—The commerce of Babylon is specially prominent in all descriptions. (Comp. Herod. i. 194-196; Ezekiel 17:4.) The time was coming when those who had thronged her markets would desert her and leave her to her desolation. read more
William Nicoll
Expositor's Bible Commentary - Isaiah 47:1-15
CHAPTER XIIBABYLONIsaiah 47:1-15THROUGHOUT the extent of Bible history, from Genesis to Revelation, One City remains, which in fact and symbol is execrated as the enemy of God and the stronghold of evil. In Genesis we are called to see its foundation, as of the first city that wandering men established, and the quick ruin, which fell upon its impious builders. By the prophets we hear it cursed as the oppressor of God’s people, the temptress of the nations, full of cruelty and wantonness. And in... read more
Arno Clemens Gaebelein
Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Isaiah 47:1-15
CHAPTER 47 A Description of the Fall of Babylon 1. Babylon’s degradation announced (Isaiah 47:1-3 ) 2. Israel acknowledges the redeemer (Isaiah 47:4 ) 3. Retribution for Babylon (Isaiah 47:5-7 ) 4. The destruction swift and sure (Isaiah 47:8-15 ) In chapter 14 a similar description of Babylon and the fall of the king of Babylon is recorded. All has its meaning for the future. read more
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Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Isaiah 47:8
(8) I am, and none else beside me . . .—The boasts of Babylon are purposely embodied by the prophet in praises that recall Jehovah’s assertion of His own eternity. She practically deified herself. So a like boast is put into the mouth of Nineveh in Zephaniah 2:15, and was repeated almost verbally by the poets of Rome: Terrarum dea gentiumque Roma, cui par est nihil, et nihil secundum (Martial). read more