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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 47:7-15

Babylon, now doomed to ruin, is here justly upbraided with her pride, luxury, and security, in the day of her prosperity, and the confidence she had in her own wisdom and forecast, and particularly in the prognostications and counsels of the astrologers. These things are mentioned both to justify God in bringing these judgments upon her and to mortify her, and put her to so much the greater shame, under these judgments; for, when God comes forth to take vengeance, glory belongs to him, but... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 47:13

Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels ,.... Taken of astrologers, diviners, and soothsayers; who were never able to give any satisfactory answers to questions put to them, or to give good advice in cases of emergency; as appears from Nebuchadnezzar's consultation with them about his dream; and Belshazzar's about the handwriting upon the wall, which was the very night that the city was taken, Daniel 2:2 , let now the astrologers ; or, "viewers of the heavens" F19 הוברי ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 47:14

Behold, they shall be as stubble, the fire shall burn them ,.... That is, these astrologers and diviners shall be like stubble; weak as that, as the Targum; they shall be no more able to stand before the fire of divine wrath, or before the judgments of God, by the hands of the Medes and Persians, than stubble can stand before a consuming fire: they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame ; from those dreadful calamities that shall come upon them like flames of fire; and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 47:13

From these things "What are the events" - For מאשר measher , read אשר מה mah asher , so the Septuagint, "what is to happen to thee." read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 47:1-15

A SONG OF TRIUMPH OVER THE FALL OF BABYLON . The song divides itself into four strophes, or stanzas—the first one of four verses ( Isaiah 47:1-4 ); the second of three ( Isaiah 47:5-7 ); the third of four ( Isaiah 47:8-11 ); and the fourth also of four ( Isaiah 47:12-15 ). The speaker is either Jehovah (see Isaiah 47:3 , ad fin. ) or "a chorus of celestial beings" (Cheyne), bent on expressing their sympathy with Israel read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 47:1-15

The fall of ancient states a warning to modern ones. History has been defined as "philosophy teaching by examples." It is only on the supposition that there are lessons to be learnt from them that historical inquiries or historical records can be regarded as of any value or importance. In a certain sense it is no doubt true to say that "history never repeats itself." The exact circumstances, even of those historical events which most nearly resemble each other, are always in many respects... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 47:1-15

The fall of Babylon. This is a scoffing song at the overthrow of Babylon. It is divided into four nearly equal stanzas. Luxury, ambition, and the practice of magic—the one sin worse than the others—were prevalent at Babylon. Each of these is lashed in the first three stanzas. There is a climax, the scorn of the prophet reaching its highest point in the last stanza (Ewald). Spiritually considered, the picture may represent the course of "this present world" in its godless pride. I. ... 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

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