Yeshayahu 47 | "Go Down, Sit in the Dust, Virgin Daughter Babylon"

The prophet interrupts the flow of promises of redemption to address the other side of the equation — a prophecy of destruction against Babylon. This prophecy shares motifs with earlier prophesies regarding Babylon and Assyria from the first section of Yeshayahu (chapters 13–14). Babylon is strong, but in its arrogance, imagines itself invincible, failing to recognize that its power was granted by God. Moreover, it cruelly oppressed the people of Israel far beyond what was decreed. As in those earlier prophecies, the outcome here is a divinely orchestrated downfall.

A unique aspect of this prophecy is its mockery of Babylon’s reliance on idols and diviners: "Cling now to your magic, to all the forms of witchcraft that you have worked so hard at perfecting since your youth; perhaps you will do some good; , perhaps you can strike dread again. How you have wearied of all your counsels; let them stand up now and rescue you – diviners by the skies, stargazers, tellers of tidings by shape of the moon – let them save you from what will come." (47:12–13). These sorceries will not save Babylon, nor do its astrologers truly understand the course of history — unlike God and His prophets. This point is emphasized as part of the broader theme in the surrounding chapters: the battle against idolatry and the understanding that only God governs history and declares what will come to pass.

The prophecy notably echoes Eikha, with numerous parallels evident. A few examples are worth highlighting, though you are welcome to find more that await discovery: Babylon is referred to as the "Virgin Daughter Babylon," (47:1) much like Zion is called the "Virgin Daughter Yehuda" (Eikha 1:15) or the "Virgin Daughter Zion" (Eikha 2:13). The exposure of Babylon’s nakedness in verse 3 — "Your nakedness will be exposed and your abjection seen" — recalls, "All who once respected her abase her: they have seen her naked" (Eikha 1:8). Similarly, the verse, "You did not lay this on your heart, did not consider that lady’s future (לא זכרת אחריתה)" (47:7), parallels, "Her impurity stains her skirts; she forgot what her end would be (לא זכרה אחריתה)" (Eikha 1:9).

The prophet, envisioning the suffering Babylon inflicted on Israel and towards the reversal of fortune — the humiliation of Babylon and Israel’s return to their land — declares: "I shall take vengeance; I shall not accept the prayers of man. Our Redeemer, His Name is the Lord of Hosts, Israel’s Holy One" (47:3–4).