Isaiah 47:11

Therefore shall evil come upon thee; thou shalt not know from whence it riseth: and mischief shall fall upon thee; thou shalt not be able to put it off: and desolation shall come upon thee suddenly, [which] thou shalt not know.

Therefore shall evil {H7451} come {H935} upon thee; thou shalt not know {H3045} from whence it riseth {H7837}: and mischief {H1943} shall fall {H5307} upon thee; thou shalt not be able {H3201} to put it off {H3722}: and desolation {H7722} shall come {H935} upon thee suddenly {H6597}, which thou shalt not know {H3045}.

Yet disaster will befall you, and you won't know how to charm it away; calamity will come upon you, and you won't be able to turn it aside; ruin will overcome you, suddenly, before you know it.

But disaster will come upon you; you will not know how to charm it away. A calamity will befall you that you will be unable to ward off. Devastation will happen to you suddenly and unexpectedly.

Therefore shall evil come upon thee; thou shalt not know the dawning thereof: and mischief shall fall upon thee; thou shalt not be able to put it away: and desolation shall come upon thee suddenly, which thou knowest not.

Isaiah 47:11 is a stark prophetic declaration of judgment against Babylon, a nation characterized by its immense power, wealth, and perceived invincibility. This verse directly addresses Babylon, personified as a proud queen, detailing the sudden, inescapable, and bewildering nature of the calamity that will befall her.

Context

This chapter of Isaiah is part of a series of oracles against foreign nations, with a significant focus on Babylon, which would later become the dominant world power and conquer Judah. Leading up to verse 11, the prophet describes Babylon's arrogance and self-assurance, believing she would "remain a lady forever" (Isaiah 47:7) and relying on her sorceries and enchantments (Isaiah 47:9). Verse 11 serves as God's direct response to this hubris, revealing that her boasted wisdom and power will be utterly useless against the divine decree.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Retribution: The verse underscores God's absolute sovereignty and His righteous judgment against national pride, oppression, and reliance on false gods or occult practices. The "evil" and "mischief" are not random but direct consequences of Babylon's actions.
  • Sudden and Unforeseen Calamity: Babylon, despite her vast network of astrologers and diviners, will be caught completely off guard. The phrase "thou shalt not know from whence it riseth" highlights the unexpected source and nature of the disaster, rendering her supposed wisdom useless. This echoes the biblical theme of judgment coming like a thief in the night.
  • Inevitability and Inescapability: The judgment is irreversible. "Thou shalt not be able to put it off" means there will be no way to avert, appease, or atone for the coming doom. Babylon's fate is sealed, emphasizing the futility of resistance against God's plan.
  • Futility of False Wisdom and Self-Reliance: Babylon's confidence stemmed from her own strength and her reliance on occult sciences. This verse dramatically reveals the emptiness of such trust when confronted with God's power, a warning against placing faith in anything other than the Almighty.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew terms used in this verse convey a powerful sense of doom:

  • "Evil" (ra'ah): While it can mean moral evil, in this context, it primarily refers to disaster, calamity, or misfortune, emphasizing the destructive nature of the impending judgment.
  • "Mischief" (havvah): This word denotes ruin, destruction, or calamity, often implying a violent downfall or a gaping chasm of ruin.
  • "Desolation" (sho'ah): This term signifies a storm, a tempest of destruction, or utter ruin, painting a picture of overwhelming and absolute devastation. The repetition of "thou shalt not know" (or "not know from whence it riseth" and "which thou shalt not know") powerfully emphasizes the element of surprise and Babylon's complete lack of foresight regarding her own downfall, despite her reliance on divination.

Practical Application

Isaiah 47:11 serves as a timeless reminder of several enduring truths:

  • Humility Before God: It warns against the dangers of national or personal arrogance and self-sufficiency. When we rely solely on our own wisdom, strength, or resources, we set ourselves up for an inevitable fall (Proverbs 16:18).
  • Consequences of Sin: The verse illustrates that there are definite, often unforeseen, consequences for pride, injustice, and spiritual rebellion. God's justice, though sometimes delayed, is certain.
  • God's Sovereignty: Ultimately, this passage affirms God's supreme authority over all nations and their destinies. No power, no matter how mighty, can stand against His will or avert His righteous judgment.

This prophecy against ancient Babylon remains relevant, teaching us the importance of humility, righteousness, and placing our trust in the one true God, not in fleeting earthly powers or false wisdom.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:3

    For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

  • Revelation 18:9

    ¶ And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,

  • Revelation 18:10

    Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.

  • Exodus 12:29

    ¶ And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that [was] in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.

  • Exodus 12:30

    And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for [there was] not a house where [there was] not one dead.

  • Daniel 5:25

    And this [is] the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.

  • Daniel 5:30

    ¶ In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain.

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