Isaiah 47:5

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

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}.

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

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

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

Context

Isaiah 47 forms part of a powerful prophetic oracle directed against Babylon, the dominant world power of its time. This chapter vividly portrays Babylon, personified as the 'daughter of the Chaldeans,' being stripped of her glory and power. The preceding verses in chapter 47 describe her being forced into servitude, a stark reversal of her former status. This prophecy, delivered centuries before Babylon's actual fall, highlights God's sovereign control over the rise and fall of empires, often in response to their pride and oppression of His people, as seen in earlier prophecies concerning Babylon's judgment.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Humiliation: The core message is God's active judgment against Babylon. The command to "sit thou silent, and get thee into darkness" signifies a complete reversal of her former splendor and influence. Silence implies the end of her boasting and decrees, while darkness points to obscurity, distress, and perhaps even exile.
  • Loss of Dominion: The title "The lady of kingdoms" underscores Babylon's former supremacy – her control over many nations and her perceived invincibility. This verse declares that this era of dominance is definitively over. It serves as a powerful reminder of the temporary nature of all earthly power and glory, a theme echoed in Daniel's vision of kingdoms rising and falling under God's hand.
  • Justice for Oppression: While not explicitly stated in this verse, the broader context of Isaiah's prophecies against Babylon indicates that this judgment is a consequence of her arrogance and her cruel treatment of conquered peoples, particularly Judah.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "daughter of the Chaldeans" is a common prophetic idiom used to personify a nation or city, in this case, Babylon. It emphasizes her identity and origins. "The lady of kingdoms" (Hebrew: גְּבֶרֶת מַמְלָכוֹת, gĕveret mamlāḵōt) powerfully conveys her former status as a sovereign mistress, a ruler over many other nations, highlighting the vastness of her dominion and her perceived invincibility, which is now utterly revoked by divine decree.

Practical Application

  • Humility Before God: This verse serves as a timeless warning against pride and self-sufficiency, reminding us that all human power and glory are fleeting. Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, a principle seen throughout scripture (e.g., Proverbs 16:18).
  • God's Sovereignty and Justice: For believers, Isaiah 47:5 offers comfort and assurance that God is ultimately in control. Even the most powerful empires are subject to His will and judgment. He sees oppression and will bring justice in His time.
  • Focus on the Eternal: The transient nature of Babylon's power encourages us to place our hope not in earthly kingdoms or achievements, but in God's eternal kingdom, which will never pass away (Daniel 7:14).
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.

  • 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.

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