Isaiah 47:3

Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen: I will take vengeance, and I will not meet [thee as] a man.

Thy nakedness {H6172} shall be uncovered {H1540}, yea, thy shame {H2781} shall be seen {H7200}: I will take {H3947} vengeance {H5359}, and I will not meet {H6293} thee as a man {H120}.

Your private parts will be exposed; yes, your shame will be seen. I am going to take vengeance, and no one will stand in my way."

Your nakedness will be uncovered and your shame will be exposed. I will take vengeance; I will spare no one.”

Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen: I will take vengeance, and will spare no man.

Context

Isaiah 47 forms a powerful prophetic oracle against ancient Babylon, a dominant world power at the time. This chapter vividly describes Babylon's dramatic fall from its position of glory and self-proclaimed invincibility. Prior to this verse, the prophet portrays Babylon, personified as a proud "virgin daughter," being commanded to descend from her throne, sit in the dust, and perform menial tasks, signifying her complete degradation. Verse 3 continues this theme, emphasizing the depth of her humiliation and the certainty of divine judgment. Babylon had been used by God as an instrument of judgment against other nations, including Judah, but her excessive cruelty and pride sealed her own fate.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Retribution: The phrase "I will take vengeance" clearly indicates God's active role in bringing about Babylon's downfall. This is not a random turn of events but a deliberate act of divine justice against a proud and oppressive empire. God is depicted as the ultimate sovereign who holds nations accountable for their actions.
  • Utter Humiliation and Disgrace: "Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen" speaks to the ultimate public exposure and loss of honor. In ancient cultures, public nakedness was a profound symbol of disgrace, vulnerability, and complete subjugation, often inflicted upon conquered enemies. This imagery powerfully conveys the total stripping away of Babylon's pride, power, and dignity.
  • God's Unwavering Justice: The concluding statement, "and I will not meet thee as a man," is crucial. It signifies that God's judgment will not be limited by human weakness, sentimentality, or negotiability. He will act with absolute divine power and unwavering resolve, executing justice without compromise or the usual restraints one might expect in a human encounter. This highlights God's unique and formidable nature as a judge. For more on God's just character, consider Romans 12:19, where God declares "Vengeance is mine; I will repay."

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "nakedness" (ערְוָה, 'ervah) and "shame" (קָלוֹן, qalon) are strong terms that convey not just exposure, but deep disgrace and dishonor. The imagery goes beyond simple undressing to signify a profound loss of reputation and dignity, a complete public shaming. The phrase "I will not meet thee as a man" (וְלֹא אֶפְגַּע אָדָם, welo' 'efga' 'adam) emphasizes that God's confrontation will be entirely on His terms, devoid of human limitations, pity, or negotiation. It speaks to the absolute nature of His divine judgment, distinct from any human interaction.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty over all nations and His commitment to justice. For those who are oppressed, it offers hope that God sees injustice and will ultimately act. For those in positions of power, it is a stark warning against pride, oppression, and self-sufficiency. No nation or individual is beyond God's reach or His judgment. The principle that "pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall" (as seen in Proverbs 16:18) is vividly illustrated here. Ultimately, God's justice is sure, and His judgment is absolute, not swayed by human weakness or appeals.

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.

  • Nahum 3:5

    Behold, I [am] against thee, saith the LORD of hosts; and I will discover thy skirts upon thy face, and I will shew the nations thy nakedness, and the kingdoms thy shame.

  • Jeremiah 51:20

    Thou [art] my battle axe [and] weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms;

  • Jeremiah 51:24

    And I will render unto Babylon and to all the inhabitants of Chaldea all their evil that they have done in Zion in your sight, saith the LORD.

  • Revelation 16:19

    And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.

  • Jeremiah 50:27

    Slay all her bullocks; let them go down to the slaughter: woe unto them! for their day is come, the time of their visitation.

  • Jeremiah 50:28

    The voice of them that flee and escape out of the land of Babylon, to declare in Zion the vengeance of the LORD our God, the vengeance of his temple.

  • Jeremiah 13:22

    ¶ And if thou say in thine heart, Wherefore come these things upon me? For the greatness of thine iniquity are thy skirts discovered, [and] thy heels made bare.

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