Isaiah 47:5

KJV

Sit thou silent, and get thee into darkness, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called, The lady of kingdoms.

KJV (with Strong's)

Sit {H3427} thou silent {H1748}, and get {H935} thee into darkness {H2822}, O daughter {H1323} of the Chaldeans {H3778}: for thou shalt no more {H3254} be called {H7121}, The lady {H1404} of kingdoms {H4467}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Sit there speechless, go into darkness, you daughter of the Kasdim! For you will no longer be called the mistress of kingdoms.

Berean Standard Bible

“Sit in silence and go into darkness, O Daughter of Chaldea. For you will no longer be called the queen of kingdoms.

American Standard Version

Sit thou silent, and get thee into darkness, O daughter of the Chaldeans; for thou shalt no more be called The mistress of kingdoms.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 47:5 delivers a powerful prophetic oracle against Babylon, personified as the "daughter of the Chaldeans." It pronounces a dramatic reversal of her former glory and dominion, commanding her to descend into silence, obscurity, and darkness. This verse declares a definitive end to her reign as "the lady of kingdoms," signifying a complete stripping of her power, influence, and perceived invincibility, all orchestrated by divine judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 47 is a pivotal chapter within a larger collection of oracles against foreign nations (Isaiah 13-23), specifically targeting Babylon. This particular chapter functions as a lament and a judgment speech, vividly portraying Babylon's humiliation. The preceding verses in chapter 47 describe Babylon being forced into menial servitude, a stark contrast to her former status as a luxurious and dominant empire. This immediate context amplifies the shock of the command in verse 5, as it underscores a complete reversal of fortune, moving from a position of power and comfort to one of ignominy and hardship. The entire chapter serves to highlight God's sovereign control over the rise and fall of empires, often in response to their pride, idolatry, and oppression of His people, a theme consistent throughout [Isaiah's prophecies](/isaiah/13 "Isaiah 13 - Prophecy against Babylon").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At the time of Isaiah's prophecy (8th century BCE), Babylon was a rising power, though it would not reach its zenith until the Neo-Babylonian Empire in the 7th-6th centuries BCE. The "Chaldeans" refer to the dominant ethnic group within Babylon, particularly the ruling dynasty that would eventually conquer Judah and destroy Jerusalem. Babylon was renowned for its immense wealth, military might, advanced astronomy, and grand architecture. Culturally, it was a hub of pagan worship, known for its arrogance and its brutal treatment of conquered peoples, including the Israelites exiled after the destruction of the Temple. The title "lady of kingdoms" perfectly encapsulates Babylon's self-perception and actual geopolitical status as a dominant imperial force that controlled numerous vassal states and exacted tribute from them, believing itself to be unassailable and eternal.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes prevalent in Isaiah and the broader prophetic literature. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Judgment and Humiliation**, where God actively intervenes to humble the proud and bring down oppressive powers. The command to "sit thou silent, and get thee into darkness" graphically illustrates a complete reversal of Babylon's former splendor and influence, symbolizing the cessation of her tyrannical decrees and her descent into obscurity and distress. This directly leads to the theme of **Loss of Dominion**, as the declaration "thou shalt no more be called, The lady of kingdoms" underscores the definitive end of Babylon's supremacy and perceived invincibility. This serves as a potent reminder of the transient nature of all earthly power and glory, a truth echoed in [Daniel's vision of kingdoms](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God's Sovereignty Over Kingdoms") rising and falling under God's sovereign hand. Underlying these is the theme of **Justice for Oppression**, as Babylon's judgment is a direct consequence of her arrogance and cruel treatment of conquered peoples, particularly Judah, as depicted in [Isaiah 14](/isaiah/14 "Isaiah 14 - Taunt against the King of Babylon").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **silent (Hebrew, _dûwmâm'_):** From H1748, meaning "still" or "silently." This word conveys a profound sense of enforced inactivity and cessation. It suggests not merely quietness, but the silencing of a voice that once boasted, decreed, and commanded. For Babylon, a city known for its pomp and pronouncements, being commanded to be "silent" signifies the abrupt end of her authority, her boasting, and her ability to dictate terms to nations. It implies a state of humiliation and powerlessness.
* **darkness (Hebrew, _chôshek'_):** From H2822, meaning "the dark," figuratively "misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness." This term extends beyond mere absence of light. In biblical usage, "darkness" often symbolizes misery, destruction, death, ignorance, and sorrow. To "get thee into darkness" for Babylon means a descent from her illuminated grandeur into a state of obscurity, distress, and divine judgment. It represents the loss of her visibility, her influence, and her very existence as a dominant force, plunging her into a state of spiritual and political desolation.
* **lady (Hebrew, _gᵉbereth'_):** From H1404, meaning "mistress." This feminine noun denotes a position of authority, dominion, and sovereignty. It emphasizes Babylon's self-perception and actual status as a powerful ruler, a queen among nations, exercising control and demanding obedience. The use of this term highlights the profound reversal of fortune, as the one who was once a "lady" will now be stripped of all her regal authority.
* **kingdoms (Hebrew, _mamlâkâh'_):** From H4467, meaning "dominion," "realm," or "country." This word refers to a realm, dominion, or country ruled by a king. When combined with "lady," it powerfully conveys Babylon's extensive imperial reach and her control over numerous subordinate nations. The phrase "lady of kingdoms" thus signifies her perceived global supremacy and invincibility. The declaration that she will "no more be called" this title underscores the complete and irreversible termination of her vast dominion and imperial power.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Sit thou silent":** This imperative command signifies an enforced cessation of all activity, boasting, and authoritative pronouncements. Babylon, once loud and proud, is now commanded to be utterly still, stripped of her voice and her ability to dictate terms. It represents a profound humiliation and the end of her self-exaltation.
* **"and get thee into darkness, O daughter of the Chaldeans":** This second imperative reinforces the first, symbolizing a forced descent from prominence and glory into obscurity, misery, and judgment. "Darkness" here is not just physical but metaphorical, representing distress, destruction, and a loss of all that made Babylon shine. The address "O daughter of the Chaldeans" personifies Babylon as a female figure, emphasizing her identity and lineage as the heart of the Chaldean empire, making the judgment intensely personal and direct.
* **"for thou shalt no more be called, The lady of kingdoms":** This clause provides the reason and the ultimate consequence of the preceding commands. The phrase "no more" (from H3254, _yâçaph_, meaning "to add" or "continue," here negated) indicates a definitive and irreversible end. Babylon's prestigious title, "The lady of kingdoms," which underscored her vast dominion and perceived invincibility over other nations, is irrevocably revoked. This marks the complete termination of her imperial reign and her status as a global superpower.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 47:5 masterfully employs several **literary devices** to convey its powerful message of divine judgment. **Personification** is central, as Babylon is addressed directly as "O daughter of the Chaldeans" and "The lady of kingdoms," imbuing the city-state with human characteristics and making the judgment feel immediate and personal. This allows the prophet to speak of a nation's fall in terms of a woman's humiliation. **Metaphor** and **symbolism** are evident in the commands "Sit thou silent" and "get thee into darkness." "Silence" metaphorically represents the cessation of Babylon's arrogant boasts, tyrannical decrees, and bustling activity, symbolizing her utter humiliation and loss of authority. "Darkness" serves as a powerful symbol of obscurity, misery, destruction, and the complete absence of her former glory and influence. The phrase "no more be called" employs **irony**, contrasting Babylon's self-proclaimed eternal dominance with God's definitive declaration of its termination. This dramatic reversal of fortune highlights the **hyperbole** in the absolute nature of "no more," emphasizing the irreversible and comprehensive nature of God's judgment against a power that believed itself invincible.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 47:5 stands as a profound theological statement on God's absolute sovereignty over human history and the transient nature of all earthly power. It asserts that no empire, however mighty or self-assured, is beyond the reach of divine judgment. Babylon's fall serves as a timeless object lesson against pride, self-sufficiency, and the oppression of others, demonstrating that God will ultimately humble those who exalt themselves. This verse underscores God's unwavering commitment to justice, particularly for His covenant people who suffered under Babylon's tyrannical rule. It offers comfort to the oppressed, assuring them that their cries are heard and that their oppressors will face accountability. Ultimately, it directs our gaze beyond fleeting earthly kingdoms to the enduring and eternal reign of God.

* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride and Fall")
* [Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God's Sovereignty Over Kingdoms")
* [Revelation 18:2-3](/revelation/18-2-3 "Revelation 18:2-3 - The Fall of Babylon the Great")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 47:5 serves as a potent reminder that all human power, glory, and self-sufficiency are ultimately fleeting and subject to God's sovereign will. In a world that often exalts wealth, influence, and military might, this verse calls us to a posture of humility, recognizing that true and lasting dominion belongs only to God. For us today, it challenges any tendency to place our ultimate trust or identity in worldly achievements, positions, or national strength. Instead, it directs us to align our lives with God's eternal purposes, cultivating justice, compassion, and humility, rather than pride and oppression. It offers comfort to those who feel oppressed or overlooked, assuring them that God sees and will ultimately bring justice to all who suffer under the weight of human arrogance and tyranny. Our hope must be anchored not in the shifting sands of earthly kingdoms, but in the unshakeable kingdom of God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this prophecy challenge our reliance on earthly power, status, or national strength today?**
* **In what areas of my personal life might I be exhibiting pride or self-sufficiency that needs to be humbled before God?**
* **How does God's judgment on Babylon assure me of His ultimate justice and control in the world, even amidst present-day injustices?**
* **What does it mean practically to place my hope and allegiance in God's eternal kingdom rather than in fleeting earthly achievements or systems?**

### FAQ
**Who are the "Chaldeans" mentioned in this verse, and why is Babylon called "the daughter of the Chaldeans"?**

Answer: The "Chaldeans" refer to a Semitic people who settled in southern Mesopotamia, eventually establishing the Neo-Babylonian Empire. The most famous Chaldean king was Nebuchadnezzar II, who destroyed Jerusalem and exiled the Judeans. "Daughter of the Chaldeans" is a common prophetic idiom used to personify a nation or city, in this case, Babylon. It emphasizes her identity, lineage, and the dominant ethnic and ruling group within the empire, highlighting that the judgment is directed at the very heart of their power and identity. This personification makes the prophecy more vivid and direct, as if God is speaking directly to the city itself.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 47:5, with its pronouncement of judgment against the proud "lady of kingdoms," finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the ultimate triumph of God's humble King over all earthly powers and systems of pride. While Babylon symbolized the epitome of human arrogance and self-exaltation, Jesus Christ embodies the antithesis, demonstrating divine power through profound humility. He did not come as an earthly "lady of kingdoms" to conquer with military might, but as the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), born in obscurity, who "made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant" ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humility")). Yet, it is through His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection that He has been given "all power in heaven and in earth" ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - The Great Commission")). The silencing and descent into darkness prophesied for Babylon foreshadow the ultimate judgment upon all systems and powers that oppose God and His Christ, culminating in the final overthrow of "Babylon the Great" in Revelation, which represents all anti-God world systems ([Revelation 18:2-3](/revelation/18-2-3 "Revelation 18:2-3 - The Fall of Babylon the Great")). Unlike Babylon's transient dominion, Christ's kingdom is an "everlasting kingdom, which shall not be destroyed" ([Daniel 7:14](/daniel/7-14 "Daniel 7:14 - The Son of Man's Kingdom")), and He "shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end" ([Luke 1:33](/luke/1-33 "Luke 1:33 - The Eternal Kingdom of Christ")). Thus, Isaiah's prophecy ultimately points to the supreme reign of Christ, whose humble power ultimately eclipses and judges all human pride and earthly dominion.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Habakkuk 2:20

But the LORD [is] in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.

Revelation 18:16

And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!

Revelation 18:19

And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.

Isaiah 47:7

¶ And thou saidst, I shall be a lady for ever: [so] that thou didst not lay these [things] to thy heart, neither didst remember the latter end of it.

Zechariah 2:13

Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.

Matthew 22:12

And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.

Matthew 22:13

Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast [him] into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.