Isaiah 47:12

Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast laboured from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail.

Stand {H5975} now with thine enchantments {H2267}, and with the multitude {H7230} of thy sorceries {H3785}, wherein {H834} thou hast laboured {H3021} from thy youth {H5271}; if so be thou shalt be able {H3201} to profit {H3276}, if so be thou mayest prevail {H6206}.

So for now, keep on with your powerful spells and your many occult practices; from childhood you have been working at them; maybe they will do you some good, maybe you will inspire terror!

So take your stand with your spells and with your many sorceries, with which you have wearied yourself from your youth. Perhaps you will succeed; perhaps you will inspire terror!

Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast labored from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail.

Isaiah 47:12 is a powerful and sarcastic challenge from God to ancient Babylon, a city renowned for its supposed wisdom, astrological practices, and magical arts. This verse is part of a larger prophetic judgment against Babylon, detailing its imminent fall and humiliation at the hands of the Medes and Persians.

Historical and Cultural Context

The book of Isaiah contains several prophecies against nations surrounding Israel, and chapter 47 is specifically directed at Babylon, often referred to as the "Daughter of Babylon" or "Lady of Kingdoms." Historically, Babylon was a dominant world power, priding itself on its advanced knowledge, including astronomy, which often blurred into astrology and various forms of divination and sorcery. The Babylonian empire was known for its extensive use of these "wise men," astrologers, and soothsayers. In this chapter, God is stripping away Babylon's grandeur and exposing the futility of its reliance on these forbidden practices, which it had cultivated "from thy youth."

Key Themes and Messages

  • Futility of False Security: The core message is God's direct challenge to Babylon's reliance on its "enchantments" and "multitude of sorceries." He sarcastically invites them to "Stand now" and see if these practices, in which they have labored diligently for centuries, can actually "profit" or "prevail" against His divine judgment. This highlights the ultimate weakness of any power or wisdom that stands against the Almighty.
  • Divine Sovereignty: This verse underscores God's absolute control over nations and their destinies. Despite Babylon's perceived strength and its deep engagement in occult practices, it is utterly powerless before the God of Israel. His judgment is inevitable, demonstrating that He declares the end from the beginning.
  • Condemnation of Occult Practices: God consistently condemns sorcery, divination, and enchantment throughout Scripture (e.g., Deuteronomy 18:10-12). Isaiah 47:12 serves as a stark reminder of the ultimate emptiness and danger of seeking power or insight through such forbidden means, as they are utterly useless when confronted by divine truth and power.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew words used here for "enchantments" (חֲבָרִים - chabarim) and "sorceries" (כְּשָׁפִים - keshaphim) are significant. Chabarim often refers to magical spells or charms, implying a binding or joining through mystic means. Keshaphim typically refers to magical practices, often involving incantations or even drugs, aimed at manipulating circumstances or gaining forbidden knowledge. Both terms emphasize the deep-seated nature of these practices within Babylonian culture and highlight their deceptive and destructive nature from God's perspective.

Practical Application

For believers today, Isaiah 47:12 serves as a powerful warning against placing trust in anything other than God. It challenges us to examine where we seek security, guidance, or power. Whether it's through overt occult practices, reliance on human wisdom, financial security, or personal strength, anything that supplants God's rightful place in our lives is ultimately futile. True peace and security are found only in God's sovereignty and His unfailing power, reminding us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding.

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.

  • Acts 13:8

    But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.

  • Acts 13:12

    Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.

  • Jeremiah 2:28

    But where [are] thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble: for [according to] the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah.

  • Nahum 3:4

    Because of the multitude of the whoredoms of the wellfavoured harlot, the mistress of witchcrafts, that selleth nations through her whoredoms, and families through her witchcrafts.

  • Isaiah 47:9

    But these two [things] shall come to thee in a moment in one day, the loss of children, and widowhood: they shall come upon thee in their perfection for the multitude of thy sorceries, [and] for the great abundance of thine enchantments.

  • Isaiah 47:10

    For thou hast trusted in thy wickedness: thou hast said, None seeth me. Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee; and thou hast said in thine heart, I [am], and none else beside me.

  • Revelation 17:4

    And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back