Isaiah 47

Isaiah 47 belongs to Isaiah 40–55, the section concerned with exile and return. Following Isaiah 46, which describes Babylon's idols Bel and Nebo being carried off like burdens, this chapter declares in song that the city of Babylon will be brought down from her throne.

Structure

• Verses 1–4: The "virgin daughter of Babylon" and "daughter of the Chaldeans" are commanded to come down from the throne and sit in the dust. Babylon is reduced to the condition of a servant grinding meal at the millstones, and her shame is exposed. Verse 4 is a brief hymn confessing the LORD as Redeemer.
• Verses 5–7: Babylon shall no longer be called "the lady of kingdoms." The LORD, in His wrath, gave His people into Babylon's hand, yet Babylon showed them no mercy and laid a very heavy yoke even upon the aged.
• Verses 8–11: Babylon, who lived at ease saying, "I am, and none else beside me," will suffer the loss of children and widowhood in one day. Neither her sorceries nor her enchantments can avert this calamity.
• Verses 12–15: Babylon is mockingly invited to call on the stargazers to save her. They are like stubble burned in the fire, and those who traded with her will scatter.

Key Verses

• Isaiah 47:4 "As for our redeemer, the LORD of hosts is his name": In the midst of the proclamation of judgment, the verse identifies the One who delivers Israel.
• Isaiah 47:8 "I am, and none else beside me": This exposes Babylon's pride in appropriating for herself the words the LORD spoke concerning Himself (Isaiah 45:5).

People and Places

• Babylon: The Mesopotamian empire and its capital city. In this chapter it is personified as a queenly woman.
• Chaldeans: The name of the people who ruled Babylon. In this chapter the name is used synonymously with Babylon.
• The LORD: In this chapter He is called "the LORD of hosts" and "the Holy One of Israel."

Points for Reflection

• Babylon fell to Cyrus of Persia in 539 BC. Many commentators read this chapter in connection with that event.
• Views differ on the authorship of chapters 40–55. The traditional view holds that the prophet Isaiah foretold these events. Most critical scholars attribute these chapters to a prophet of the late exilic period, commonly called "Second Isaiah" (Deutero-Isaiah).
• In Revelation 18, the great city Babylon says, "I sit a queen, and am no widow" (Revelation 18:7), words that recall verses 7–8 of this chapter. Interpreters differ on whether the Babylon of Revelation should be understood as Rome, as an end-time power, or as a symbol.