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.
ISAIAH 47:13KJVWhat does Isaiah 47:13 mean?
Isaiah 47:13 describes how Babylon has exhausted itself by seeking advice from many sources, especially from astrologers and those who claim to predict the future, but none of these advisers can save Babylon from the disaster that is coming. The verse highlights the futility of relying on such practices for deliverance.
In this verse, the prophet Isaiah is speaking God’s message to Babylon, a powerful nation known for its pride and reliance on occult practices. The verse mocks Babylon’s dependence on astrologers and fortune-tellers, challenging them to try to save the nation from the judgment that God is about to bring. The tone is both ironic and dismissive, underlining that human wisdom and magical arts are powerless against God’s plans.
The Hebrew behind Isaiah 47:13
- "Wearied" (לָאָה, lāʾāh, H3811) means to be tired or exhausted. Here, it emphasizes how Babylon has worn itself out seeking advice and guidance from many sources, showing desperation and futility.
- "Astrologers" (חָבַר שָּׁמַיִם, ḥābar shamayim, H1895, H8064) literally means "dividers of the heavens." This phrase refers to those who study the stars to predict events, highlighting Babylon’s trust in astrology.
- "Stargazers" (הָרֹאִים בַּכּוֹכָבִים, haro’im bakkokhavim, H2374, H3556) means "those who look at the stars." This points to people who try to read the future by observing the stars, a common practice in Babylon.
- "Monthly prognosticators" (מוֹדִיעִים לַחֳדָשִׁים, modia’im lakhodashim, H2320, H3045) refers to those who announce or predict what will happen each month, likely based on lunar cycles. This detail shows how Babylon sought guidance for every new month, relying on regular predictions.
Why Isaiah 47:13 matters
- Isaiah 47:13 clears up the idea that spiritual insight or safety can be found in astrology or fortune-telling, showing that these practices are powerless in the face of true judgment.
- The verse emphasizes Babylon’s desperation and the emptiness of its many counselors, setting up a contrast between human schemes and God’s authority.
- This verse connects to the wider passage by building up to Babylon’s downfall, showing that none of its traditional sources of wisdom or power can prevent what God has decreed.