Isaiah 47:8

Therefore hear now this, [thou that art] given to pleasures, that dwellest carelessly, that sayest in thine heart, I [am], and none else beside me; I shall not sit [as] a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children:

Therefore hear {H8085} now this, thou that art given to pleasures {H5719}, that dwellest {H3427} carelessly {H983}, that sayest {H559} in thine heart {H3824}, I am, and none else {H657} beside me; I shall not sit {H3427} as a widow {H490}, neither shall I know {H3045} the loss of children {H7908}:

Now hear this, you lover of luxuries, lolling at ease and saying to yourself, 'I am important, and no one else! I will never be a widow or know the loss of children.'

So now hear this, O lover of luxury who sits securely, who says to herself, ‘I am, and there is none besides me. I will never be a widow or know the loss of children.’

Now therefore hear this, thou that art given to pleasures, that sittest securely, that sayest in thy heart, I am, and there is none else besides me; I shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children:

Isaiah 47:8 (KJV) presents a stark prophetic judgment against Babylon, personified as a decadent and overly confident queen. The verse reads: "Therefore hear now this, [thou that art] given to pleasures, that dwellest carelessly, that sayest in thine heart, I [am], and none else beside me; I shall not sit [as] a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children:"

Context

This verse is part of Isaiah Chapter 47, a powerful and dramatic oracle against Babylon, the dominant world power of Isaiah's time. The chapter depicts Babylon's impending downfall, contrasting its former glory and cruel reign over conquered nations (including Judah) with its future humiliation. The prophet Isaiah addresses Babylon directly, using the imagery of a luxurious, self-assured woman who believes herself invincible. This prophecy, delivered centuries before Babylon's actual fall to the Medes and Persians under Cyrus the Great in 539 BC, highlights God's sovereignty over nations and His justice against those who oppress His people and defy Him. The preceding verses describe Babylon's descent from a throne to grinding flour, symbolizing its utter degradation.

Key Themes

  • Arrogance and Self-Deification: The core of Babylon's sin here is its extreme pride, encapsulated in the phrase, "I am, and none else beside me." This statement directly mimics God's own declarations of unique deity (e.g., Isaiah 45:5), revealing Babylon's blasphemous self-exaltation. Such hubris is a recurring theme in biblical warnings against nations and individuals.
  • False Security and Carelessness: Babylon is depicted as "given to pleasures" and dwelling "carelessly," indicating a lifestyle of indulgence and a false sense of invulnerability. Their boast, "I shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children," underscores their conviction that they are immune to the common calamities of war and societal collapse. This highlights a dangerous overconfidence that ignores divine justice.
  • Divine Judgment: The "Therefore hear now this" introduces a pronouncement of certain judgment. Despite Babylon's perceived strength and eternal reign, God's decree ensures its fall. This serves as a powerful reminder that all earthly powers are subject to the ultimate authority of God.

Linguistic Insights

  • The phrase "given to pleasures" comes from the Hebrew word ‘adanah, meaning "delicate" or "luxurious," emphasizing Babylon's pampered and decadent lifestyle.
  • "Dwellest carelessly" translates the Hebrew batach, which means "to trust" or "be secure," but here implies a misplaced or presumptuous security, a trust in one's own strength rather than in God.
  • The declaration, "I am, and none else beside me," is a direct and audacious claim to ultimate authority and uniqueness. The Hebrew is ‘ani wa’apsi ‘od, literally "I and nothing else besides." This echoes, and thus blasphemously challenges, the exclusive claims of Yahweh as the only God.

Practical Application

Isaiah 47:8 offers timeless lessons for individuals and nations today:

  • Beware of Pride: The downfall of Babylon serves as a stark warning against arrogance and self-sufficiency. When we elevate ourselves, our achievements, or our security above God, we risk a similar humbling. As Proverbs 16:18 states, "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall."
  • False Security is Fleeting: Relying on wealth, power, or worldly pleasures for ultimate security is a delusion. All earthly comforts and strengths are temporary and can be stripped away. True and lasting security is found only in God.
  • God's Sovereignty Endures: This prophecy reminds us that God is sovereign over all history and all nations. No power, no matter how mighty, can stand against His ultimate plan and justice. This can bring comfort to believers facing oppressive systems and a call to humility for those in positions of power.
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.

  • Zephaniah 2:15

    This [is] the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that said in her heart, I [am], and [there is] none beside me: how is she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in! every one that passeth by her shall hiss, [and] wag his hand.

  • Isaiah 32:9

    ¶ Rise up, ye women that are at ease; hear my voice, ye careless daughters; give ear unto my speech.

  • Jeremiah 50:11

    Because ye were glad, because ye rejoiced, O ye destroyers of mine heritage, because ye are grown fat as the heifer at grass, and bellow as bulls;

  • 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.

  • Isaiah 45:6

    That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that [there is] none beside me. I [am] the LORD, and [there is] none else.

  • Revelation 18:3

    For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.

  • Revelation 18:8

    Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong [is] the Lord God who judgeth her.

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