King James Version

What Does Isaiah 47:3 Mean?

Isaiah 47:3 in the King James Version says “Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen: I will take vengeance, and I will not meet thee as a man...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 47 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen: I will take vengeance, and I will not meet thee as a man.”

Isaiah 47:3 · KJV

Context

1

Come down, and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon, sit on the ground: there is no throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called tender and delicate.

2

Take the millstones, and grind meal: uncover thy locks, make bare the leg, uncover the thigh, pass over the rivers.

3

Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen: I will take vengeance, and I will not meet thee as a man.

4

As for our redeemer, the LORD of hosts is his name, the Holy One of Israel.

5

Sit thou silent, and get thee into darkness, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called, The lady of kingdoms.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen. The Hebrew ervah (nakedness) carries connotations of sexual vulnerability and covenant violation (Leviticus 18:6-18). God promises complete exposure of Babylon's sins and degradation. The parallel term cherpah (shame, disgrace) indicates public humiliation before nations. What Babylon concealed through propaganda and intimidation will be revealed in judgment.

"I will take vengeance, and I will not meet thee as a man" declares God's uniquely divine justice. The phrase is interpretively challenging; most likely meaning God will not be pacified through human negotiation or bribery. When God executes judgment, no diplomacy, wealth, or military strength can avert consequences. The verb naqam (take vengeance) affirms God's prerogative to punish wickedness - vengeance belongs to the LORD (Deuteronomy 32:35, Romans 12:19).

Reformed theology recognizes here both God's justice and mercy paradoxically displayed. Justice demands exposure and punishment of sin; mercy provides Christ who was 'uncovered' and shamed in our place (Hebrews 12:2). Babylon received justice without mercy; believers receive mercy without compromising justice - Christ satisfied both divine attributes at Calvary. The certainty of judgment for the impenitent underscores the preciousness of the gospel for the elect.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Babylon's fall in 539 BC involved the humiliation of her priesthood, nobility, and religious system. The Nabonidus Chronicle records the capture of Babylon's king and the cessation of festival rituals. The city that dominated the ancient Near East for centuries became a Persian province overnight. Isaiah's prophecy written 150+ years earlier demonstrated God's sovereign control over history - Babylon's judgment was certain because God decreed it long before Babylon reached its zenith.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the certainty of divine judgment on unrepentant sinners intensify your urgency to proclaim the gospel?
  2. In what ways does Christ's willingness to have His shame exposed (nakedness on the cross) cover your shame and guilt?
  3. What contemporary 'Babylons' - empires, ideologies, or power structures - appear invincible yet face certain divine judgment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
תִּגָּל֙1 of 10

“shall be uncovered”

H1540

to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal

עֶרְוָתֵ֔ךְ2 of 10

“Thy nakedness”

H6172

nudity, literally (especially the pudenda) or figuratively (disgrace, blemish)

גַּ֥ם3 of 10
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

תֵּרָאֶ֖ה4 of 10

“shall be seen”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

חֶרְפָּתֵ֑ךְ5 of 10

“yea thy shame”

H2781

contumely, disgrace, the pudenda

נָקָ֣ם6 of 10

“vengeance”

H5359

revenge

אֶקָּ֔ח7 of 10

“I will take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

וְלֹ֥א8 of 10
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אֶפְגַּ֖ע9 of 10

“and I will not meet”

H6293

to impinge, by accident or violence, or (figuratively) by importunity

אָדָֽם׃10 of 10

“thee as a man”

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

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 47:3 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 47:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Nahum 3:5Jeremiah 51:20-24Jeremiah 50:27-28Revelation 16:19Deuteronomy 32:41-43Deuteronomy 32:35

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