Isaiah 47:1-3

Babylon Will Fall


1Fall down! Sit in the dirt,
O virgin
tn בְּתוּלַה (betulah) often refers to a virgin, but the phrase “virgin daughter” is apparently stylized (see also 23:12; 37:22). In the extended metaphor of this chapter, where Babylon is personified as a queen (vv. 5, 7), she is depicted as being both a wife and mother (vv. 8-9).
daughter Babylon!
Sit on the ground, not on a throne,
O daughter of the Babylonians!
Indeed,
tn Or “For” (NASB, NRSV).
you will no longer be called delicate and pampered.

2 Pick up millstones and grind flour.
Remove your veil,
strip off your skirt,
expose your legs,
cross the streams.

3 Let your naked body be exposed.
Your shame will be on display!
tn Heb In this context “shame” is a euphemism referring to their naked bodies.

I will get revenge;
I will not have pity on anyone,”
tn Heb “I will not meet a man.” The verb פָּגַע (paga‘) apparently carries the nuance “meet with kindness” here (cf. 64:5, and see BDB 803 s.v. Qal.2).
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