Isaiah 47:6

I was wroth with my people, I have polluted mine inheritance, and given them into thine hand: thou didst shew them no mercy; upon the ancient hast thou very heavily laid thy yoke.

I was wroth {H7107} with my people {H5971}, I have polluted {H2490} mine inheritance {H5159}, and given {H5414} them into thine hand {H3027}: thou didst shew {H7760} them no mercy {H7356}; upon the ancient {H2205} hast thou very {H3966} heavily {H3513} laid thy yoke {H5923}.

I was angry with my people, I desecrated my own possession and gave them over to you. But you showed them no mercy; you made your yoke very heavy, even upon the aged.

I was angry with My people; I profaned My heritage, and I placed them under your control. You showed them no mercy; even on the elderly you laid a most heavy yoke.

I was wroth with my people, I profaned mine inheritance, and gave them into thy hand: thou didst show them no mercy; upon the aged hast thou very heavily laid thy yoke.

Isaiah 47:6 is a powerful verse from a prophetic oracle against Babylon, revealing God's perspective on the suffering of His people, Judah, during their captivity. It highlights both divine judgment and the excessive cruelty of the instrument used for that judgment.

Context

Chapter 47 of Isaiah is a lament and prophecy of doom directed specifically at Babylon, portrayed as a proud and arrogant queen who believes she is invincible. Leading up to this verse, God has been rebuking Babylon for her arrogance and false sense of security. Verse 6 shifts the focus to explain why God allowed Babylon to triumph over Judah. It clarifies that while Judah's suffering was a consequence of divine wrath, Babylon's actions exceeded God's intended measure of judgment, setting the stage for Babylon's own downfall.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Wrath: God declares, "I was wroth with my people," signifying that Judah's exile was a direct result of their disobedience and idolatry. This emphasizes God's holiness and His righteous indignation against sin, indicating that judgment begins with the house of God (1 Peter 4:17).
  • Israel as God's Inheritance: The phrase "I have polluted mine inheritance" refers to God allowing His chosen people, whom He considered His special possession (Deuteronomy 32:9), to be profaned or treated as common by their captors. This was not God actively defiling them, but permitting their desecration as a consequence of their own spiritual defilement.
  • Babylon's Excessive Cruelty: The indictment "thou didst shew them no mercy; upon the ancient hast thou very heavily laid thy yoke" reveals Babylon's sin. While God used Babylon as an instrument of correction, Babylon acted with extreme harshness, showing no compassion even to the elderly and vulnerable. This lack of mercy, going beyond God's purpose, becomes a significant factor in Babylon's own impending judgment (Jeremiah 50:29).
  • The Yoke of Bondage: The "yoke" symbolizes the oppressive burden of captivity and servitude. Babylon imposed a particularly heavy and merciless yoke, affecting all segments of society, including those who deserved respect and gentle treatment.

Linguistic Insight

The Hebrew word translated "polluted" is chalal (חָלַל), which carries the meaning of "to profane," "to defile," or "to violate." In this context, it doesn't mean God made them polluted, but rather He permitted His holy inheritance (His people) to be treated as profane or common by their enemies due to their own unfaithfulness. This highlights God's sovereignty even in allowing His people to experience profound humiliation and suffering as a form of divine discipline.

Practical Application

This verse offers several timeless lessons:

  • Consequences of Disobedience: It serves as a stark reminder that persistent disobedience to God can lead to severe consequences, even for those who are His own people. God's love does not negate His righteousness or His need to discipline His children.
  • God's Sovereignty in Suffering: Even when we experience hardship or are oppressed by others, this verse reminds us that God is sovereign. He may allow difficult circumstances, but He is always in control and has a purpose, even if it is to bring about repentance and refinement.
  • Responsibility of Instruments: While God may use nations or individuals as instruments of His will, they are still accountable for their actions, particularly their cruelty and lack of mercy. This underscores the principle that humanity is responsible for how it treats others, even in situations of power.
  • The Call to Mercy: The condemnation of Babylon for showing "no mercy" emphasizes the importance of compassion, especially towards the vulnerable and elderly. This aligns with Christ's teachings on showing mercy (Matthew 5:7).
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.

  • 2 Chronicles 28:9

    But a prophet of the LORD was there, whose name [was] Oded: and he went out before the host that came to Samaria, and said unto them, Behold, because the LORD God of your fathers was wroth with Judah, he hath delivered them into your hand, and ye have slain them in a rage [that] reacheth up unto heaven.

  • Zechariah 1:15

    And I am very sore displeased with the heathen [that are] at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction.

  • Deuteronomy 28:50

    A nation of fierce countenance, which shall not regard the person of the old, nor shew favour to the young:

  • Obadiah 1:10

    ¶ For [thy] violence against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off for ever.

  • James 2:13

    For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

  • Psalms 69:26

    For they persecute [him] whom thou hast smitten; and they talk to the grief of those whom thou hast wounded.

  • Isaiah 42:24

    Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers? did not the LORD, he against whom we have sinned? for they would not walk in his ways, neither were they obedient unto his law.

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