Isaiah 47 8

Isaiah 47:8 kjv

Therefore hear now this, thou that art given to pleasures, that dwellest carelessly, that sayest in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me; I shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children:

Isaiah 47:8 nkjv

"Therefore hear this now, you who are given to pleasures, Who dwell securely, Who say in your heart, 'I am, and there is no one else besides me; I shall not sit as a widow, Nor shall I know the loss of children';

Isaiah 47:8 niv

"Now then, listen, you lover of pleasure, lounging in your security and saying to yourself, 'I am, and there is none besides me. I will never be a widow or suffer the loss of children.'

Isaiah 47:8 esv

Now therefore hear this, you lover of pleasures, who sit securely, who say in your heart, "I am, and there is no one besides me; I shall not sit as a widow or know the loss of children":

Isaiah 47:8 nlt

"Listen to this, you pleasure-loving kingdom,
living at ease and feeling secure.
You say, 'I am the only one, and there is no other.
I will never be a widow or lose my children.'

Isaiah 47 verses

Isaiah 47 8 Meaning

This verse pronounces God's judgment upon Babylon, highlighting its arrogant self-assurance and spiritual pride. It portrays Babylon as a "lover of pleasures" that lives in a false sense of security, believing itself to be invulnerable and unrivaled. The core of its delusion is a claim of self-sufficiency, declaring, "I am, and there is no one else besides me," directly mimicking Yahweh's divine declarations. This hubris leads it to dismiss any future hardship, such as becoming a widow or suffering the loss of children, which were ancient symbols of utter devastation and vulnerability.

Isaiah 47 8 Context

Isaiah 47 is a "taunt song" (a literary device of mockery and judgment) directed specifically against Babylon, often personified as a haughty, luxurious virgin queen who is suddenly brought to ruin. The chapter paints a vivid picture of Babylon's downfall from its position of perceived power and dominance to utter humiliation and desolation. Historically, Babylon was a superpower in the ancient Near East, renowned for its wealth, influence, and supposed impregnability. The context of this verse within the larger chapter is crucial: it immediately follows a description of Babylon's coming demotion to a slave-girl (v. 1-5) and its ruthless oppression of God's people (v. 6). Verse 8 captures the very essence of the sin that leads to its destruction—its colossal arrogance and self-worship. This prophecy would have resonated powerfully with Judah, who suffered under Babylonian oppression, assuring them of divine justice and God's ultimate control over history.

Isaiah 47 8 Word analysis

• Now therefore hear this: (לָכֵן שִׁמְעִי-זֹאת - lakhen shim'i-zot) A strong rhetorical call for attention, emphasizing the certainty and significance of the following message. "Therefore" points back to Babylon's past actions and current condition described earlier in the chapter. It implies a logical consequence from God's perspective.
• you lover of pleasures, (הַעֲדִינוּת – ha'adinut) Literally, "you who live delicately" or "you who indulge in softness/luxuries." The root עָדַן (‘adan) denotes delicate living, sensual indulgence, and pleasure. It highlights Babylon's excessive lifestyle, characterized by ease, luxury, and lack of self-restraint, suggesting an entitlement to comfort rather than diligence or divine favor.
• who dwells securely, (הַיֹּשֶׁבֶת לָבֶטַח – hayoshevet labetach) Refers to living in a state of untroubled safety, without fear or threat. This term carries an ironic connotation here, as this security is based on human power and not on God. It implies an overconfidence, a delusion of invulnerability that fails to acknowledge God's sovereignty or the fragility of human constructs.
• who says in her heart, (הָאֹמְרָה בִּלְבָבָהּ – ha'omrah bilvavah) Denotes an inner conviction, a deep-seated belief or attitude. This isn't just an outward boast but a fundamental aspect of Babylon's identity and self-perception, signifying profound spiritual pride and self-deception.
• 'I am, and there is no one else besides me; (אֲנִי וְאֵין עוֹד מִבַּלְעָדַי – ani v'ein od mibbal'adai) This is the critical phrase. It directly mimics God's unique self-declarations (e.g., Isa 45:5, 6, 21-22). Babylon is usurping the divine prerogative, essentially deifying itself and denying the existence or supremacy of any other power, including the true God. This is the peak of its hubris and idolatry. The emphasis "I am" is an arrogant claim of exclusive power and absolute being.
• I shall not sit as a widow, (לֹא אֵשֵׁב אַלְמָנָה – lo eshev almanah) "Sitting as a widow" symbolizes the loss of a husband (often interpreted politically as the king or sovereign power) and total desolation, vulnerability, and abandonment. Babylon presumes its reign and power will be eternal and unchallenged.
• nor know the loss of children—' (וְלֹא אֵדַע שַׁכּוּל – v'lo eda shakkul) "Loss of children" or "bereavement" refers to the death of offspring. This represents the ultimate national catastrophe—the destruction of its people, its future, and its very existence. It symbolizes complete demographic and social ruin. Babylon boasts immunity from such a devastating fate.

• you lover of pleasures, who dwells securely, who says in her heart: This group of phrases paints a portrait of Babylon's entrenched arrogance, rooted in self-indulgence and a perceived safety that has bred profound internal delusion. Her external luxurious lifestyle reflects her internal hardened heart.
• 'I am, and there is no one else besides me; I shall not sit as a widow, nor know the loss of children—': This full self-declaration reveals Babylon's threefold hubris: first, self-deification; second, the claim of ultimate authority; and third, an absolute denial of any future judgment or suffering. These denials fly directly in the face of God's power to bring down the mightiest of empires and stand as the core reason for its imminent downfall. The two negative predictions encapsulate ultimate political and demographic destruction.

Isaiah 47 8 Bonus section

The "I am, and there is no one else besides me" statement is considered a crucial polemic against the polytheistic and self-sufficient ideologies prevalent in the ancient Near East. Babylon, with its myriad gods and perceived cosmic centrality (e.g., the Etemenanki ziggurat or Tower of Babel motif), embodied this spirit. This declaration, coming from a nation, is not just human arrogance but a direct mockery of divine monotheism. The imagery of widowhood and childlessness was particularly devastating in the ancient world, as family lineage and the continuity of a house were paramount. To become a widow and childless meant absolute loss, dishonor, and the eradication of one's future. The very denial of these fates underscores Babylon's utter delusion concerning its invincibility and future. This spiritual haughtiness finds its ultimate archetypal representation in the "Babylon the Great" of Revelation, indicating that such self-exalting systems, apart from God, will always face judgment.

Isaiah 47 8 Commentary

Isaiah 47:8 powerfully condenses the theological reasons for Babylon's imminent destruction: an extreme blend of spiritual arrogance, self-indulgence, and a profound misplacement of trust. Babylon's self-deification ("I am, and there is no one else besides me") is not merely pride, but an idolatrous blasphemy, directly challenging the unique sovereignty of Yahweh who frequently declares similar statements about Himself (e.g., Isa 45:5). Its "dwelling securely" is a false security derived from its vast wealth and military might, rather than from reliance on God, ignoring that true security comes only from the Creator. The denial of widowhood and childlessness represents its arrogant dismissal of God's power to strip away its king (authority) and its populace (future), thus signaling utter ruin. This verse serves as a stark warning against self-reliance and the intoxicating allure of worldly power that tempts humanity to elevate itself above its Creator. Its practical usage is to highlight the danger of excessive self-confidence and spiritual independence from God in one's life. When one becomes consumed by personal comfort, assumes unending success, and believes their strength is sufficient without acknowledging divine provision, they embody Babylon's error.