Isaiah 47

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 47

* God's judgments on Babylon. (1-6) Carelessness and confidence shall not prevent the evil. (7-15) read more

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 47:1-6

1-6 Babylon is represented under the emblem of a female in deep distress. She was to be degraded and endure sufferings; and is represented sitting on the ground, grinding at the handmill, the lowest and most laborious service. God was righteous in his vengeance, and none should interpose. The prophet exults in the Lord of hosts, as the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel. God often permits wicked men to prevail against his people; but those who cruelly oppress them will be punished. read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 47:7-15

7-15 Let us beware of acting and speaking as Babylon did; of trusting in tyranny and oppression; of boasting as to our abilities, relying on ourselves, and ascribing success to our own prudence and wisdom; lest we partake of her plagues. Those in the height of prosperity, are apt to fancy themselves out of the reach of adversity. It is also common for sinners to think they shall be safe, because they think to be secret in wicked ways. But their security shall be their ruin. Let us draw from... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Isaiah 47:1-7

The Humiliation of the Daughter of Babylon v. 1. Come down and sit in the dust, degraded to the lowest depth, O virgin daughter of Babylon, the city and country being regarded as a virgin queen; sit on the ground, there is no throne, the seat of empire being lost to the former proud ruler, O daughter of the Chaldeans! For thou shalt no more be called tender and delicate, the reference being to the luxury and debauchery and prostitution practiced in connection with the religious rites of the... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Isaiah 47:8-15

Babylon's Vain Attempt to Avert the Threatened Destruction v. 8. Therefore hear now this, thou that art given to pleasures, living in wantonness, luxury, and licentiousness, that dwellest carelessly, the feeling of false security being characteristic of the people of Babylon in that day, that sayest in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me, an expression of unbounded haughtiness; I shall not sit as a widow, believing that the Babylonian men, the soldiers of its army, could never be... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Isaiah 47:1-15

HOMILETICAL HINTS1. On Isaiah 48:1-2. “We, for our part, are also quite fallen into Jewish security. For we take great comfort from this, that we know, that we have God’s word simple and pure, and the same is indeed highly to be praised and valued. But it is not enough for one to have the word. One ought and must live according to it, then will God make account of us. But where one lives without the fear of God and in sin, and hears the word without amendment, there God will punish all the... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - Isaiah 47:1-15

the Penalty of Trusting in Wickedness Isaiah 47:1-15 Babylon dwelt in careless security. She was given to pleasures, Isaiah 47:8 ; and said in her heart that her vast crowd of astrologers, magicians, and priests, would certainly warn her of impending evil and deliver her. But nothing could be more absolute than her fall. For centuries she has been buried under mounds of desolation, while the Hebrew people, whom she so cruelly oppressed, are the monument of God’s preserving mercy. The fact is... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 47:1-15

The prophecy is now addressed to Babylon itself, and in language full of force and beauty describes its judgment. The description is fourfold. First, the degradation of the city is foretold. From a proud position it is to descend to grinding and shame. Moreover, this is to be a position of disgrace. Babylon is to pass into darkness, and no more to be called "The Lady of Kingdoms." Yet again the judgment is to issue in desolation. The proud city which had made its boast that it could not be... read more

James Nisbet

James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 47:1

A LOWLY SEAT‘Come down, and sit in the dust.’ Isaiah 47:1 I. To Israel the Divine summons is to arise from the dust and sit on the throne; to Babylon to come down from the throne and sit in the dust.—He that humbleth himself shall be exalted, he that exalteth himself shall be made low.The sin charged on Babylon is her mercilessness. She was sent by God to execute judgment on the chosen people, but she performed her work very cruelly, and, therefore, she herself fell under the just judgment of... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 47

Chapter 47 Babylon Is To Be Destroyed. If salvation is to triumph, and if righteousness is to be exalted, and if God’s people are to be glorious (Isaiah 46:12-13) then it can only come about through the destruction of evil and of idolatry, and from Isaiah’s religious viewpoint that means the destruction of Babylon. Until Babylon is dealt with the Servant is restrained. We should note at once that this destruction of Babylon is not attributed to Cyrus. We can only find such an idea there if we... read more