King James Version

What Does Isaiah 47:13 Mean?

Isaiah 47:13 in the King James Version says “Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers , the stargazers , the monthly prognosticator... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 47 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers , the stargazers , the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee. astrologers: Heb. viewers of the heavens the monthly: Heb. that give knowledge concerning the months

Isaiah 47:13 · KJV


Context

11

Therefore shall evil come upon thee; thou shalt not know from whence it riseth: and mischief shall fall upon thee; thou shalt not be able to put it off: and desolation shall come upon thee suddenly, which thou shalt not know. from: Heb. the morning thereof put: Heb. expiate

12

Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast laboured from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail.

13

Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers , the stargazers , the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee. astrologers: Heb. viewers of the heavens the monthly: Heb. that give knowledge concerning the months

14

Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: there shall not be a coal to warm at, nor fire to sit before it. themselves: Heb. their souls

15

Thus shall they be unto thee with whom thou hast laboured, even thy merchants, from thy youth: they shall wander every one to his quarter; none shall save thee.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The taunt 'Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels' exposes how multiplication of human wisdom increases confusion rather than clarity. The progression (astrologers, stargazers, monthly prognosticators) shows desperate resort to increasingly specific divination as crisis looms. Isaiah's sarcasm 'Let now the astrologers...save thee' demonstrates that those who reject God's free revelation must laboriously purchase false alternatives.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Babylon's astronomical observations were accurate enough to predict eclipses, yet this scientific achievement was integrated into astrological superstition. The 'monthly prognosticators' refers to those who determined lucky/unlucky days based on moon phases.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the multiplication of self-help advice, therapy options, and life coaches today parallel Babylon's weary counsel-seeking?
  2. What is the difference between godly wisdom and the wearying multiplication of human counsel?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
נִלְאֵ֖ית1 of 15

Thou art wearied

H3811

to tire; (figuratively) to be (or make) disgusted

בְּרֹ֣ב2 of 15

in the multitude

H7230

abundance (in any respect)

עֲצָתָ֑יִךְ3 of 15

of thy counsels

H6098

advice; by implication, plan; also prudence

יַעַמְדוּ4 of 15

stand up

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

נָ֨א5 of 15
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

וְיוֹשִׁיעֻ֜ךְ6 of 15

and save

H3467

properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor

הֹבְרֵ֣ו7 of 15

Let now the astrologers

H1895

to be a horoscopist

שָׁמַ֗יִם8 of 15
H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

הַֽחֹזִים֙9 of 15

the stargazers

H2374

a beholder in vision; also a compact (as looked upon with approval)

בַּכּ֣וֹכָבִ֔ים10 of 15
H3556

a star (as round or as shining); figuratively, a prince

מֽוֹדִעִים֙11 of 15

prognosticators

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

לֶחֳדָשִׁ֔ים12 of 15

the monthly

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

מֵאֲשֶׁ֥ר13 of 15
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יָבֹ֖אוּ14 of 15

thee from these things that shall come

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

עָלָֽיִךְ׃15 of 15
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 47:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 47:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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