Isaiah 47:5 NIV

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 47:5

Sit thou silent ,.... Here the speech is directed again to Babylon, which used to be a place of noise and hurry, as well as famous and much talked of all the world over; but now there should be a deep silence in it, no voice to be heard, the inhabitants being gone, and no discourse concerning it; no more talked of and celebrated for its magnificence and authority, trade and riches, but buried in oblivion. It is represented as sitting in silence, either as a mourner, or as one that is free... 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 47:5

Sit thou silent, and get thee into darkness . The second strophe begins, like the first, with a double imperative. The fallen people is recommended to hide its shame in silence and darkness, as disgraced persons do who shrink from being seen by their fellows. Thou shalt no more be called The lady of kingdoms. Babylon can scarcely have borne this title in Isaiah's time, or at any earlier period, unless it were a very remote one. She had been secondary to Assyria for at least six hundred... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 47:5

Sit thou silent - The same general sentiment is expressed here as in the preceding verses, though the figure is changed. In Isaiah 47:1-3, Babylon is represented under the image of a frivolous and delicately-reared female, suddenly reduced from her exalted station, and compelled to engage in the most menial and laborious employment. Here she is represented as in a posture of mourning. To sit in silence is emblematic of deep sorrow, or affliction (see Lamentations 2:10): ‘The elders of the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 47:5-6

Isaiah 47:5-6. Sit thou silent Through grief and shame, and as mourners used to do, Job 2:13. Cease thy vaunting and insolent speeches. And get thee into darkness Thou shalt go into an obscure, disconsolate, and calamitous condition. Thou shalt no more be the lady of kingdoms The chief and glory of all kingdoms; the most large, potent, and glorious empire of the world, as thou hast been. I was wroth with my people “The metaphor in this verse,” says Vitringa, “is taken from a father,... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Isaiah 47:1-15

Judgment on Babylon (47:1-15)The great nation Babylon is likened to a beautiful and vain young lady who is now disgraced. She once lived in luxury, but now she is made to sit in the dirt, forced to work like a slave girl, stripped of her beautiful clothing and made to walk around naked (47:1-3). God’s judgment on Babylon brings freedom to Israel (4).Pride is the reason for Babylon’s downfall. God’s desire was to use Babylon to punish Israel, but Babylon has gone beyond the limits God set and... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Isaiah 47:5

lady of kingdoms = mistress of the kingdoms. The king of Babylon called himself "the King Vicar" Compare Ezekiel 26:7 . Daniel 2:37 . So the popes name themselves, and are so addressed when crowned. Compare Revelation 18:7 . read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 47:1-6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 47:5

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 47:1-15

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 47:1-15

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 47:1-15

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 47:5

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 47:5

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 47:5-6

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Isaiah 47:1-15

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Isaiah 47:5

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