King James Version

What Does Isaiah 47:15 Mean?

Isaiah 47:15 in the King James Version says “Thus shall they be unto thee with whom thou hast laboured, even thy merchants, from thy youth: they shall wander every o...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 47 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Isaiah 47:15 · KJV

Salvation

Context

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.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thus shall they be unto thee with whom thou hast laboured, even thy merchants, from thy youth. Babylon's commercial and magical partners prove utterly worthless in crisis. The Hebrew yaga' (laboured, toiled) indicates exhausting effort Babylon invested in alliances, trade networks, and occult practices. The phrase "from thy youth" suggests these relationships were long-established, dating to Babylon's origins. Yet accumulated partnerships cannot avert divine judgment.

"They shall wander every one to his quarter; none shall save thee" depicts panic-driven abandonment. When judgment strikes, Babylon's supposed allies scatter to protect themselves. The verb ta'ah (wander, stray) suggests confused flight without destination - fair-weather friends reveal their true character in catastrophe. The stark conclusion "none shall save thee" (ein moshia'ech) creates maximum contrast with Israel's God, repeatedly called Savior throughout Isaiah.

Reformed theology finds here a warning against misplaced trust. Human alliances, wealth, and wisdom cannot substitute for covenant relationship with God. Babylon's elaborate systems - commercial, military, religious - collapsed utterly because they lacked the one foundation that endures: the living God. This echoes Christ's parable of the wise and foolish builders (Matthew 7:24-27) - only what's built on God's word withstands judgment's storm.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Babylon's commercial network spanned from India to Egypt, making her the ancient world's economic hub. The city also attracted magicians, astrologers, and sorcerers from across Mesopotamia (v. 12-13). When Cyrus conquered Babylon in 539 BC, her merchant partners and occult practitioners scattered, prioritizing self-preservation over loyalty. The detailed description of merchant abandonment suggests Isaiah knew Babylon's economic foundation would prove illusory when tested by divine judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. What relationships, resources, or systems have you 'laboured with from your youth' that would prove inadequate if truly tested by crisis?
  2. How does the merchants' scattering 'every one to his quarter' warn against building your life on transactional rather than covenantal relationships?
  3. In what ways does Christ prove to be the Savior who never abandons, in contrast to Babylon's fair-weather allies?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
כֵּ֥ן1 of 12
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

הָיוּ2 of 12
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לָ֖ךְ3 of 12
H0
אֲשֶׁ֣ר4 of 12
H834

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

יָגָ֑עַתְּ5 of 12

“Thus shall they be unto thee with whom thou hast laboured”

H3021

properly, to gasp; hence, to be exhausted, to tire, to toil

סֹחֲרַ֣יִךְ6 of 12

“even thy merchants”

H5503

to travel round (specifically as a pedlar); intensively, to palpitate

מִנְּעוּרַ֗יִךְ7 of 12

“from thy youth”

H5271

(only in plural collective or emphatic form) youth, the state (juvenility) or the persons (young people)

אִ֤ישׁ8 of 12

“every one”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

לְעֶבְרוֹ֙9 of 12

“to his quarter”

H5676

properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on the opposite side (especially of the jordan; ususally meaning

תָּע֔וּ10 of 12

“they shall wander”

H8582

to vacillate, i.e., reel or stray (literally or figuratively); also causative of both

אֵ֖ין11 of 12
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

מוֹשִׁיעֵֽךְ׃12 of 12

“none shall save”

H3467

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

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 47:15 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 47:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 51:6-9Isaiah 56:11Ezekiel 27:12-25Revelation 18:11-19

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