Isaiah 47 - Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

An Ode on the Humiliation of Babylon

1-15. The coming calamity. The reason of Babylon's fall. Her helplessness to avert it.

Grind] i.e. as a slave (Exodus 11:5).

Uncover, etc.] RV 'remove thy veil, strip off the train, uncover the leg.' The overthrow of the city is set forth under the figure of a maiden carried away into slavery. Pass over] on the way to exile.

Will not meet, etc.] RV 'will accept no man,' i.e. none shall be spared.

Babylon is to be thus punished because, when the Jewish exiles were in her power, she had treated them cruelly (Zechariah 1:15), and in her false security she acted as though irresponsible (Isaiah 47:7-8). Polluted] i.e. treated as common, RV 'profaned.'

Perfection for] 'full measure in spite of.' Sorceries] Babylon was renowned in the ancient world for astrology, and for the practice of all kinds of magic.

From whence it riseth] RM 'how to charm it away.'

Stand.. with] i.e. persist in.

See on Isaiah 47:9.

There shall not be] 'it shall not be,' i.e. it will not be like a fire on the hearth, but a devouring conflagration.