Isaiah 47:9-10

47:9 Both of these will come upon you

suddenly, in one day!

You will lose your children and be widowed.

You will be overwhelmed by these tragedies,

despite your many incantations

and your numerous amulets.

47:10 You were complacent in your evil deeds;

you thought, ‘No one sees me.’

Your self-professed wisdom and knowledge lead you astray,

when you say, ‘I am unique! No one can compare to me!’


tn Heb “loss of children and widowhood.” In the Hebrew text the phrase is in apposition to “both of these” in line 1.

tn Heb “according to their fullness, they will come upon you.”

tn For other examples of the preposition bet (בְּ) having the sense of “although, despite,” see BDB 90 s.v. III.7.

sn Reference is made to incantations and amulets, both of which were important in Mesopotamian religion. They were used to ward off danger and demons.

tn Heb “you trusted in your evil”; KJV, NAB, NASB, NIV, NRSV “wickedness.”

tn Or “said”; NAB “said to yourself”’ NASB “said in your heart.”

tn The words “self-professed” are supplied in the translation for clarification.

tn See the note at v. 8.