Isaiah 47:12 - Exposition

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 (see the comment on 1 Kings 18:9 ). If so be, etc.; rather, perchance thou wilt be able to profit; perchance thou wilt cause terror. The prophet gives a pretended encouragement to Israel's adversaries. "If Babylon uses all the resources of her magical art, perhaps she may succeed—who knows? Perhaps she may strike terror into the hearts of her assailants."