Isaiah 47

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 47:12

Stand now. The fourth and concluding strophe now begins; it opens, like the third, with a single imperative. It has, as Mr. Cheyne observes, "a strongly ironical tinge, reminding us of Elijah's language to the priests of Baal in 1 Kings 18:27 ." The irony is, however, confined to the first half ( 1 Kings 18:12 , 1 Kings 18:13 ); giving place in 1 Kings 18:14 and 1 Kings 18:15 to a scathing sentence of judgment and ruin. Enchantments … sorceries; rather, spells , enchantments ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 47:13

Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Mr. Cheyne's rendering is more intelligible, "Thou hast wearied thyself with the multitude of thy consultations.'' Those at the head of affairs had consulted the diviners of all classes, till they were utterly weary of so doing (compare the " consultations " of Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar with such persons, Daniel 2:2-11 ; Daniel 5:7 , Daniel 5:8 ). Yet let one further effort be made. Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 47:13

Many counsellors. "Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels." The mind of man will seek counsel. For men everywhere, in the old Athenian groves and gardens, and in the fellowship of modern clubs and associations, will seek for "opinion" to guide and help them. They are so slow to trust alone to conscience and to God. I. THE UNSATISFYING ORACLES . "Thou art wearied." You have tried them so often without results of guidance and good. All is vain. Men go here and there,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 47:13

The weariness of self-service. "Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels." Babylon was trusting self, trying to find its own way out of calamities; and it was proving what weary, hopeless work that always is. Astrologer was the final resource of the despairing Babylonians. I. THE WEARINESS OF VARIETY . A vain searching for some new device. A restless dissatisfaction with everything. II. THE WEARINESS OF MULTIPLICITY . Bewildered with the many helpers, who yet... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 47:14

Behold, they shall be as stubble (comp. Isaiah 5:24 ; Isaiah 40:24 ; Isaiah 41:2 ). A favourite metaphor with Isaiah for extreme weakness and incapacity of resistance. In Isaiah 5:24 it is connected, as here, with fire. No doubt in Palestine, as elsewhere, an accidental fire from time to time caught hold of a stubble-field, and speedily reduced it to a mass of blackened ashes. The threat here is that God's wrath shall similarly sweep over Babylon. They shall not deliver themselves... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 47:15

Thus shall they be unto thee with whom thou hast laboured . The foreigners who have participated in the toils and labours of Babylon shall share in her punishment. The flame of judgment shall not spare even them. Even thy merchants. Babylonian commerce is the subject of an important chapter in Heeren's 'Asiatic Nations', and is discussed also in the present writer's 'Egypt and Babylon'. It was carried on both by land and sea, and was very extensive, including both a large import and a... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 47

In the closing verse of the previous chapter, add had given the assurance that his people should certainly be delivered from their captivity in Babylon, and restored to their own land. In this chapter, he describes the vengeance which he would take on Babylon, and the entire chapter is occupied in portraying, under various images, the prostration and humiliation of that proud and oppressive seat of magnificence and of empire. Babylon is described under the image of a lady, carefully nourished... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 47:1

Come down - Descend from the throne; or from the seat of magnificence and power. The design of this verse has already been stated in the analysis. It is to foretell that Babylon would be humbled, and that she would be reduced from her magnificence and pride to a condition of abject wretchedness. She is therefore represented as a proud female accustomed to luxury and ease, suddenly brought to the lowest condition, and compelled to perform the most menial services.And sit in the dust - To sit on... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 47:2

Take the millstones, and grind meal - The design of this is plain. Babylon, that had been regarded as a delicately-trained female, was to be reduced to the lowest condition of poverty and wretchedness - represented here by being compelled to perform the most menial and laborious offices, and submitting to the deepest disgrace and ignominy. There is an allusion here to the custom of grinding in the East. The mills which were there commonly used, and which are also extensively used to this day,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 47:3

Thy nakedness - This denotes the abject condition to which the city would be reduced. All its pride would be taken away; and it would be brought to such a state as to fill its inhabitants with the deepest mortification and shame. Vitringa supposes that it means, that all the imbecility and weakness; the vileness; the real poverty; the cruelty and injustice of Babylon, would be exposed. But it more probably means, that it would be reduced to the deepest ignominy. No language could more forcibly... read more

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