Bible Commentaries
Isaiah 47

Verse 1

ground = earth. Hebrew. 'arez.

there is no throne = throneless.

Verse 2

grind meal: the work of slaves (Exodus 11:5 .Matthew 24:41; Matthew 24:41 ). meal. Put by Figure of speech, for the corn from which meal is ground.

uncover thy locks = remove thy veil.

make bare the leg = lift up thy skirts or train.

Verse 3

not meet thee as a man = not accept or regard any man.

Verse 5

lady of kingdoms = mistress of the kingdoms. The king of Babylon called himself "the King Vicar" Compare Ezekiel 26:7 . Daniel 2:37 . So the popes name themselves, and are so addressed when crowned. Compare Revelation 18:7 .

Verse 6

no mercy. Compare 2 Kings 25:5 , 2Ki 25:6 , 2 Kings 25:26 . Jeremiah 50:17 , &c.

ancient = elder. Compare Lamentations 4:16 .

Verse 7

the latter end of it = the issue thereof: but some codices, with one early printed edition (Rabbinic, Mar 1517), and Vulgate, read "thy latter end". Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 32:29 ). App-92 .

Verse 8

carelessly = confidently.

none else beside me. Babylon and Rome claim the Divine attributes, as used in these chapters. Compare Isaiah 45:6 , Isaiah 45:14 ; Isaiah 46:9 .

none. See note on Isaiah 5:8 .

children = sons.

Verse 9

perfection = full measure.

Verse 10

trusted = confided. Hebrew. batah. App-69 .

Verse 11

evil = calamity. Hebrew. ra'a'.

mischief = ruin; especially as prepared for others. Not the same word as in Isaiah 59:4 . Only here and Ezekiel 7:26 .

put it off = expiate it, or charm it away.

Verse 12

Stand now with = Persist in.

prevail = strike terror.

Verse 13

astrologers. The scientists of Babylon were divided into three classes: writers of (1) charms to be placed on afflicted persons or houses; (2) formulae of incantations; (3) records of observations which mixed up astronomy with astrology, and resulted, in the case of any two successive or concurrent events, in the conclusion that one was the cause of the other; and, the further conclusion was reached by reasoning from the "particular" to the "general".

the monthly prognosticators = they who make known the future by observing new moons. See the fifth "creation tablet" (British Museum).

Verse 14

themselves = their souls. Hebrew. nephesh.

Verse 15

thy merchants. Compare Revelation 18:11-19 . t

hey shall wander = stagger onward.

one. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .