Isaiah Chapter 47

“Come down, and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon, &c.] The kingdom of Babylon is meant, as the Targum paraphrases it; or the Babylonish monarchy, called a virgin, because it had never been subdued and conquered from the first setting of it up, until it was by Cyrus; so Herodotusf925 says, this was the first time that Babylon was taken; and also because of the beauty and glory of it: but now it is called to come down from its height and excellency, and its dominion over other kingdoms, and sit in a mournful posture, and as in subjection to other princes and states, Jerom observes, that some interpret…”

“THE DESTRUCTION OF BABYLON IS REPRESENTED UNDER THE IMAGE OF A ROYAL VIRGIN BROUGHT DOWN IN A MOMENT FROM HER MAGNIFICENT THRONE TO THE EXTREME OF DEGRADATION. (Isa. 47:1-15) in the dust--(See on Isa 3:26; Job 2:13; Lam 2:10). virgin--that is, heretofore uncaptured [HERODOTUS, 1.191]. daughter of Babylon--Babylon and its inhabitants (see on Isa 1:8; Isa 37:22). no throne--The seat of empire was transferred to Shushan. Alexander intended to have made Babylon his seat of empire, but Providence defeated his design. He soon died; and Seleucia, being built near, robbed it of its inhabitants, and even of its name,…”

“Come down - Descend from the throne; or from the seat of magnificence and power. The design of this verse has already been stated in the analysis. It is to foretell that Babylon would be humbled, and that she would be reduced from her magnificence and pride to a condition of abject wretchedness. She is therefore represented as a proud female accustomed to luxury and ease, suddenly brought to the lowest condition, and compelled to perform the most menial services. And sit in the dust - To sit on the ground, and to cast dust on the head, is a condition often referred to in the Scriptures as expressive of…”

“Down - From thy throne. Virgin - So, called, because she was tender and delicate. No throne - For thee. The empire is taken from thee, and translated to the Persians. Called - Be so. Isaiah 47:2”

“47:1–48:22 Two conclusions can be drawn from the preceding evidence that the Lord alone is God: (1) Babylon’s great pride is foolishness (47:1-15); (2) Israel needs to pay attention to the word of the Lord (48:1-22). 47:1-4 In this taunt against Babylon, the queen of nations is humiliated, forced to work as a servant girl. 47:1 To sit in the dust was a way of expressing humiliation.”

“down: Isa 3:26, Isa 26:5, Isa 52:2; Job 2:8, Job 2:13; Psa 18:27; Jer 13:18, Jer 48:18; Lam 2:10, Lam 2:21; Eze 26:16, Eze 28:17; Oba 1:3, Oba 1:4; Jon 3:6 O virgin: Isa 37:22; Jer 46:11 daughter: Psa 137:8; Jer 50:42, Jer 51:33; Zac 2:7 there is: Isa 14:13, Isa 14:14; Psa 89:44; Hag 2:22 thou shalt: Isa 47:7-9, Isa 32:9-11; Deu 28:56, Deu 28:57; Lam 4:5; Rev 18:7 Isaiah 47:2”

“From the gods of Babylon the proclamation of judgment passes onto Babylon itself. "Come down, and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter Babel; sit on the ground without a throne, O Chaldaeans-daughter! For men no longer call thee delicate and voluptuous. Take the mill, and grind meal: throw back they veil, lift up the train, uncover the thigh, wade through streams. Let thy nakedness be uncovered, even let thy shame be seen; I shall take vengeance, and not spare men. Our Redeemer, Jehovah of hosts is His name, Holy One of Israel." This is the first strophe in the prophecy. As v. 36 clearly shows, what precedes is a…”