Isaiah 47:1

¶ Come down, and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon, sit on the ground: [there is] no throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called tender and delicate.

Come down {H3381}, and sit {H3427} in the dust {H6083}, O virgin {H1330} daughter {H1323} of Babylon {H894}, sit {H3427} on the ground {H776}: there is no throne {H3678}, O daughter {H1323} of the Chaldeans {H3778}: for thou shalt no more {H3254} be called {H7121} tender {H7390} and delicate {H6028}.

"Come down, and sit in the dust, you virgin daughter of Bavel! Sit on the ground, not on a throne, daughter of the Kasdim! No longer are you to be called dainty and delicate.

“Go down and sit in the dust, O Virgin Daughter of Babylon. Sit on the ground without a throne, O Daughter of Chaldea! For you will no longer be called tender or delicate.

Come down, and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon; sit on the ground without a throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called tender and delicate.

Commentary

Isaiah 47:1 opens a powerful prophetic oracle against Babylon, a dominant world power in the ancient Near East, known for its grandeur, perceived invincibility, and its role in the Babylonian exile of Judah. This verse immediately sets a tone of dramatic reversal, commanding the once-exalted city to descend from its lofty position.

Context

This chapter is part of Isaiah's later prophecies, specifically addressing the impending downfall of Babylon. At the time of the prophecy's fulfillment, Babylon was a formidable empire that had conquered Judah and destroyed Jerusalem. The "virgin daughter of Babylon" metaphor highlights its unblemished record of never having been conquered. The prophecy contrasts Babylon's current luxurious and unchallenged status with the extreme humiliation and degradation it is about to face. This serves as a message of both divine judgment for the oppressor and future hope for the oppressed people of Israel.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Humiliation: The command to "come down, and sit in the dust" signifies a dramatic fall from power and prestige. Babylon, once a queen among nations, is stripped of its authority and forced into a position of servitude and shame.
  • Loss of Sovereignty and Security: The phrase "no throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans" directly addresses the end of Babylon's reign and its perceived invulnerability. The city that felt "tender and delicate," unaccustomed to hardship, will now face extreme degradation.
  • Reversal of Fortune: This verse sets the stage for a complete reversal of Babylon's fortunes, a common theme in prophetic literature where the proud are abased and the humble exalted.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Virgin daughter of Babylon": This poetic phrase suggests Babylon had never been conquered or defiled by foreign invaders, highlighting its perceived purity and invincibility. It emphasizes the shock and unprecedented nature of its impending fall, as a city that prided itself on its untouched status is now commanded to "sit in the dust."
  • "Tender and delicate": This describes Babylon's luxurious and pampered existence, unaccustomed to manual labor or hardship. It contrasts sharply with the humiliation and servitude it is about to endure, where it will no longer enjoy its former privileged status.

Practical Application

Isaiah 47:1 offers several timeless lessons:

  • God's Sovereignty Over Nations: This prophecy serves as a powerful reminder that God is sovereign over all earthly powers and empires. No nation, no matter how mighty or secure, is beyond His divine judgment. This theme is echoed throughout scripture, such as in Daniel 2:21, where it states God "removeth kings, and setteth up kings."
  • Warning Against Pride: Babylon's downfall is a stark warning against pride and self-sufficiency. Its arrogance and cruelty led to its ultimate humiliation. This principle is timeless: "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall."
  • Comfort for the Oppressed: For the exiled Israelites, this prophecy offered immense hope and comfort. It assured them that their oppressor would not triumph indefinitely, and God would ultimately deliver His people and bring justice. It reminds us that even in the darkest times, God is working out His redemptive plan.
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Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 51:33

    For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; The daughter of Babylon [is] like a threshingfloor, [it is] time to thresh her: yet a little while, and the time of her harvest shall come.

  • Psalms 137:8

    O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy [shall he be], that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.

  • Jeremiah 50:42

    They shall hold the bow and the lance: they [are] cruel, and will not shew mercy: their voice shall roar like the sea, and they shall ride upon horses, [every one] put in array, like a man to the battle, against thee, O daughter of Babylon.

  • Zechariah 2:7

    Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest [with] the daughter of Babylon.

  • Jeremiah 46:11

    Go up into Gilead, and take balm, O virgin, the daughter of Egypt: in vain shalt thou use many medicines; [for] thou shalt not be cured.

  • Isaiah 3:26

    And her gates shall lament and mourn; and she [being] desolate shall sit upon the ground.

  • Isaiah 37:22

    This [is] the word which the LORD hath spoken concerning him; The virgin, the daughter of Zion, hath despised thee, [and] laughed thee to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee.