Isaiah 47:12
Isaiah 47:12 in Multiple Translations
So take your stand with your spells and with your many sorceries, with which you have wearied yourself from your youth. Perhaps you will succeed; perhaps you will inspire terror!
Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast laboured from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail.
Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast labored from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail.
Go on now with your secret arts, and all your wonder-working, to which you have given yourself up from your earliest days; it may be that they will be of profit to you, or by them you may put fear into your attackers.
So keep going with your magic spells and all your witchcraft, which you have worked at since you were young. Maybe you'll be successful, maybe you'll terrify people!
Stand now among thine inchanters, and in the multitude of thy southsaiers (with whome thou hast wearied thy selfe from thy youth) if so be thou maist haue profit, or if so be thou maist haue strength.
Stand, I pray thee, in thy charms, And in the multitude of thy sorceries, In which thou hast laboured from thy youth, It may be thou art able to profit, It may be thou dost terrify!
“Stand now with your enchantments and with the multitude of your sorceries, in which you have labored from your youth, as if you might profit, as if you might prevail.
Stand now with thy enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, in which thou hast labored from thy youth; if thou shalt be able to profit, if thou mayest prevail.
Stand now with thy enchanters, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, in which thou hast laboured from thy youth, if so be it may profit thee any thing, or if thou mayst become stronger.
So you can continue to perform all your magic spells [IRO]! You can perform the many kinds of sorcery that you have practiced for many years! Perhaps doing those things will enable you to be successful; perhaps you will be able to cause your enemies to be afraid of you!
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 47:12
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Isaiah 47:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
עִמְדִי
נָ֤א
בַ/חֲבָרַ֨יִ/ךְ֙
וּ/בְ/רֹ֣ב
כְּשָׁפַ֔יִ/ךְ
בַּ/אֲשֶׁ֥ר
יָגַ֖עַתְּ
מִ/נְּעוּרָ֑יִ/ךְ
אוּלַ֛י
תּוּכְלִ֥י
הוֹעִ֖יל
אוּלַ֥י
תַּעֲרֽוֹצִי
עִמְדִי
ʻâmad
H5975
to stand
V-Qal-Impv-2fs
נָ֤א
nâʼ
H4994
please
Part
בַ/חֲבָרַ֨יִ/ךְ֙
cheber
H2267
spell
Prep | N-mp | Suff
וּ/בְ/רֹ֣ב
rôb
H7230
abundance
Conj | Prep | N-cs
כְּשָׁפַ֔יִ/ךְ
kesheph
H3785
sorcery
N-mp | Suff
בַּ/אֲשֶׁ֥ר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Prep | Rel
יָגַ֖עַתְּ
yâgaʻ
H3021
be weary/toil
V-Qal-Perf-2fs
מִ/נְּעוּרָ֑יִ/ךְ
nâʻûwr
H5271
youth
Prep | N-cp | Suff
אוּלַ֛י
ʼûwlay
H194
perhaps
Adv
תּוּכְלִ֥י
yâkôl
H3201
be able
V-Qal-Imperf-2fs
הוֹעִ֖יל
yaʻal
H3276
to gain
V-Hiphil-Inf-a
אוּלַ֥י
ʼûwlay
H194
perhaps
Adv
תַּעֲרֽוֹצִי
ʻârats
H6206
to tremble
V-Qal-Imperf-2fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 47:12
עִמְדִי
ʻâmad
H5975
"to stand"
V-Qal-Impv-2fs
Means 'to stand' in a strong sense, like in Exodus 17:12 where Moses stood with his arms up to help Israel win a battle.
Definition: : stand/stop/establish 1) to stand, remain, endure, take one's stand 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to stand, take one's stand, be in a standing attitude, stand forth, take a stand, present oneself, attend upon, be or become servant of 1a2) to stand still, stop (moving or doing), cease 1a3) to tarry, delay, remain, continue, abide, endure, persist, be steadfast 1a4) to make a stand, hold one's ground 1a5) to stand upright, remain standing, stand up, rise, be erect, be upright 1a6) to arise, appear, come on the scene, stand forth, appear, rise up or against 1a7) to stand with, take one's stand, be appointed, grow flat, grow insipid 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to station, set 1b2) to cause to stand firm, maintain 1b3) to cause to stand up, cause to set up, erect 1b4) to present (one) before (king) 1b5) to appoint, ordain, establish 1c) (Hophal) to be presented, be caused to stand, be stood before
Usage: Occurs in 497 OT verses. KJV: abide (behind), appoint, arise, cease, confirm, continue, dwell, be employed, endure, establish, leave, make, ordain, be (over), place, (be) present (self), raise up, remain, repair, [phrase] serve, set (forth, over, -tle, up), (make to, make to be at a, with-) stand (by, fast, firm, still, up), (be at a) stay (up), tarry. See also: Genesis 18:8; Joshua 21:44; 1 Chronicles 6:17.
נָ֤א
nâʼ
H4994
"please"
Part
The Hebrew word 'nâ'' is used to express a polite request, like 'please' or 'I pray', and is often added to verbs to make them more polite. In the Bible, it appears in passages like Ezra's reading of the law to the people.
Definition: 1) I (we) pray, now, please 1a) used in entreaty or exhortation
Usage: Occurs in 374 OT verses. KJV: I beseech (pray) thee (you), go to, now, oh. See also: Genesis 12:11; Judges 4:19; 1 Kings 13:6.
בַ/חֲבָרַ֨יִ/ךְ֙
cheber
H2267
"spell"
Prep | N-mp | Suff
This word refers to a society, association, or spell, and can also mean a magician or charmer. It appears in the Old Testament, including in the book of Deuteronomy, often in the context of forbidden practices. It can also refer to a group or company of people.
Definition: 1) association, company, band 2) shared, association, society 3) a magician, charmer, spell
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] charmer(-ing), company, enchantment, [idiom] wide. See also: Deuteronomy 18:11; Proverbs 25:24; Psalms 58:6.
וּ/בְ/רֹ֣ב
rôb
H7230
"abundance"
Conj | Prep | N-cs
Describes abundance or greatness in the Bible, used to talk about God's power and creation in Psalms and Isaiah.
Definition: 1) multitude, abundance, greatness 1a) multitude 1a1) abundance, abundantly 1a2) numerous 1b) greatness
Usage: Occurs in 145 OT verses. KJV: abundance(-antly), all, [idiom] common (sort), excellent, great(-ly, -ness, number), huge, be increased, long, many, more in number, most, much, multitude, plenty(-ifully), [idiom] very (age). See also: Genesis 16:10; Job 32:7; Psalms 5:8.
כְּשָׁפַ֔יִ/ךְ
kesheph
H3785
"sorcery"
N-mp | Suff
Sorcery refers to the practice of magic or witchcraft, often using spells or incantations. The Bible warns against this in books like Leviticus and Acts.
Definition: sorcery, witchcraft
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: sorcery, witchcraft. See also: 2 Kings 9:22; Isaiah 47:12; Isaiah 47:9.
בַּ/אֲשֶׁ֥ר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Prep | Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
יָגַ֖עַתְּ
yâgaʻ
H3021
"be weary/toil"
V-Qal-Perf-2fs
This Hebrew word means to be weary or toil, like in Exodus where the Israelites were exhausted from their labor, and is often translated as faint or labor in the KJV.
Definition: 1) to toil, labour, grow weary, be weary 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to toil, labour 1a2) to grow weary, be weary 1b) (Piel) to weary, make weary, cause to go toilsomely 1c) (Hiphil) to make to toil, make weary, cause to be weary
Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: faint, (make to) labour, (be) weary. See also: Joshua 7:3; Isaiah 43:23; Psalms 6:7.
מִ/נְּעוּרָ֑יִ/ךְ
nâʻûwr
H5271
"youth"
Prep | N-cp | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to the state of being young or a group of young people, as seen in Isaiah 47:12. It describes a stage of life, like childhood or adolescence. This concept is also mentioned in Jeremiah 31:19.
Definition: youth, early life Also means: na.ur (נְעוּרוֹת "youth" H5271B)
Usage: Occurs in 46 OT verses. KJV: childhood, youth. See also: Genesis 8:21; Isaiah 54:6; Psalms 25:7.
אוּלַ֛י
ʼûwlay
H194
"perhaps"
Adv
Ulay means perhaps or if not, used to express uncertainty or doubt. It appears in various forms, such as peradventure or unless. It helps to convey tentative ideas.
Definition: 1) perhaps, peradventure 2) if peradventure 3) unless 4) suppose
Usage: Occurs in 44 OT verses. KJV: if so be, may be, peradventure, unless. See also: Genesis 16:2; 1 Samuel 14:6; Isaiah 37:4.
תּוּכְלִ֥י
yâkôl
H3201
"be able"
V-Qal-Imperf-2fs
This Hebrew word means to be able or have power, used in various contexts, such as overcoming or enduring, and is translated as 'be able' or 'have power' in the KJV.
Definition: 1) to prevail, overcome, endure, have power, be able 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be able, be able to gain or accomplish, be able to endure, be able to reach 1a2) to prevail, prevail over or against, overcome, be victor 1a3) to have ability, have strength Aramaic equivalent: ye.khel (יְכִל "be able" H3202)
Usage: Occurs in 182 OT verses. KJV: be able, any at all (ways), attain, can (away with, (-not)), could, endure, might, overcome, have power, prevail, still, suffer. See also: Genesis 13:6; 1 Kings 14:4; Psalms 13:5.
הוֹעִ֖יל
yaʻal
H3276
"to gain"
V-Hiphil-Inf-a
This Hebrew word means to gain or ascend, and can also mean to be valuable or beneficial. It is used in various forms in the Bible to convey the idea of profit or advantage.
Definition: (Hiphil) to gain, profit, benefit, avail
Usage: Occurs in 21 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, set forward, can do good, (be, have) profit, (able). See also: 1 Samuel 12:21; Isaiah 44:10; Proverbs 10:2.
אוּלַ֥י
ʼûwlay
H194
"perhaps"
Adv
Ulay means perhaps or if not, used to express uncertainty or doubt. It appears in various forms, such as peradventure or unless. It helps to convey tentative ideas.
Definition: 1) perhaps, peradventure 2) if peradventure 3) unless 4) suppose
Usage: Occurs in 44 OT verses. KJV: if so be, may be, peradventure, unless. See also: Genesis 16:2; 1 Samuel 14:6; Isaiah 37:4.
תַּעֲרֽוֹצִי
ʻârats
H6206
"to tremble"
V-Qal-Imperf-2fs
To tremble or dread means to feel fear or be terrified, like being in awe of something or someone, as described in various Bible stories.
Definition: 1) to tremble, dread, fear, oppress, prevail, break, be terrified, cause to tremble 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to cause to tremble, terrify 1b2) to tremble, feel dread 1b) (Niphal) to be awesome, be terrible 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to regard or treat with awe, regard or treat as awful 1c2) to inspire with awe, terrify
Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: be affrighted (afraid, dread, feared, terrified), break, dread, fear, oppress, prevail, shake terribly. See also: Deuteronomy 1:29; Psalms 10:18; Psalms 89:8.
Study Notes — Isaiah 47:12
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 47:12 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 47:12
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 47:12
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 47:12
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 47:12
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 47:12
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 47:12
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 47:12
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 47:12
- Sermons on Isaiah 47:12
Context — The Humiliation of Babylon
10You were secure in your wickedness; you said, ‘No one sees me.’ Your wisdom and knowledge led you astray; you told yourself, ‘I am, and there is none besides me.’
11But disaster will come upon you; you will not know how to charm it away. A calamity will befall you that you will be unable to ward off. Devastation will happen to you suddenly and unexpectedly.
12So take your stand with your spells and with your many sorceries, with which you have wearied yourself from your youth. Perhaps you will succeed; perhaps you will inspire terror!
13You are wearied by your many counselors; let them come forward now and save you— your astrologers who observe the stars, who monthly predict your fate. 14Surely they are like stubble; the fire will burn them up. They cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame. There will be no coals to warm them or fire to sit beside.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Acts 13:8–12 | But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked directly at Elymas and said, “O child of the devil and enemy of all righteousness, you are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery! Will you never stop perverting the straight ways of the Lord? Now look, the hand of the Lord is against you, and for a time you will be blind and unable to see the light of the sun.” Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord. |
| 2 | Nahum 3:4 | because of the many harlotries of the harlot, the seductive mistress of sorcery, who betrays nations by her prostitution and clans by her witchcraft. |
| 3 | Jeremiah 2:28 | But where are the gods you made for yourselves? Let them rise up in your time of trouble and save you if they can; for your gods are as numerous as your cities, O Judah. |
| 4 | Isaiah 47:9–10 | These two things will overtake you in a moment, in a single day: loss of children, and widowhood. They will come upon you in full measure, in spite of your many sorceries and the potency of your spells. You were secure in your wickedness; you said, ‘No one sees me.’ Your wisdom and knowledge led you astray; you told yourself, ‘I am, and there is none besides me.’ |
| 5 | Daniel 5:7–9 | The king called out for the enchanters, astrologers, and diviners to be brought in, and he said to these wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this inscription and tells me its interpretation will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around his neck, and he will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.” So all the king’s wise men came in, but they could not read the inscription or interpret it for him. Then King Belshazzar became even more terrified, his face grew even more pale, and his nobles were bewildered. |
| 6 | Revelation 17:4–6 | The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls. She held in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality. And on her forehead a mysterious name was written: BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. I could see that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints and witnesses for Jesus. And I was utterly amazed at the sight of her. |
| 7 | Exodus 9:11 | The magicians could not stand before Moses, because the boils had broken out on them and on all the Egyptians. |
| 8 | Exodus 7:11 | But Pharaoh called the wise men and sorcerers and magicians of Egypt, and they also did the same things by their magic arts. |
| 9 | Isaiah 44:25 | who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who confounds the wise and turns their knowledge into nonsense, |
| 10 | Isaiah 8:19 | When men tell you to consult the spirits of the dead and the spiritists who whisper and mutter, shouldn’t a people consult their God instead? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? |
Isaiah 47:12 Summary
[Isaiah 47:12 is a message from God to those who trust in their own power and magic instead of Him. It's like God is saying, 'Go ahead and try to use your own strength, but you will fail.' This verse is warning us against the dangers of self-sufficiency and trusting in things that are not God, as seen in Psalm 20:7. Instead, we should put our trust in God and His power, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'take a stand' with spells and sorceries in Isaiah 47:12?
In this context, 'taking a stand' means to rely on or trust in these evil practices, which is a form of idolatry, as warned against in Deuteronomy 18:10-12. The verse is highlighting the futility of trusting in such things.
Is the Bible saying that magic is real in Isaiah 47:12?
The Bible acknowledges the existence of supernatural forces, but it clearly condemns the practice of magic and sorcery as evil, as seen in Isaiah 47:12 and other verses like Leviticus 19:31 and Revelation 21:8.
What is the tone of God's message in Isaiah 47:12?
The tone is one of sarcasm and irony, as God is essentially saying, 'Go ahead and try to use your spells and sorceries, but you will ultimately fail,' which is a common theme in the Bible, as seen in Psalm 2:4 and Proverbs 21:30.
How does this verse relate to the idea of self-sufficiency?
Isaiah 47:12 shows that trusting in one's own abilities, like magic and sorcery, is a form of self-sufficiency that will ultimately lead to failure, whereas trusting in God is the key to true success, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Jeremiah 17:7-8.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I may be trusting in my own abilities or 'spells and sorceries' instead of God?
- How can I recognize when I am relying on my own strength instead of God's power?
- What does it mean to 'weary myself' with certain practices or habits, and how can I avoid this in my own life?
- In what ways can I apply the message of Isaiah 47:12 to my own struggles with sin and self-reliance?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 47:12
Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries,.... An ironic expression, deriding those evil arts, bidding defiance to them, calling upon the masters of them to do their
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 47:12
Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast laboured from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail. (Stand - forth.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 47:12
Stand: this word notes either, 1. Continuance. Persist or go on in these practices. Or, 2. Their gesture. For those that inquired of their gods by any of these superstitious practices used to stand; this being a posture, both of reverence, and waiting for an answer. But this is not a command or concession, but a sacred irony or scoff at the folly of these men, who having so oft been disappointed by these impostures, yet were as forward to use them and trust to them as if they had never deceived them. From thy youth; from the beginning of thy commonwealth or kingdom. For the Chaldeans in all ages were famous, or rather infamous, for the study and practice of these arts.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 47:12
Isaiah 47:12 Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast laboured from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail.Ver. 12. Stand now with thine enchantments.] Try thine utmost skill, and let us see what thou canst do for thyself. This is spoken in way of derision. Wherein thou hast laboured from thy youth.] But found them to be no better than toilsome toys, quae nec ignoranti nocent, nec scientem iuvant, Against judiciary astrology, see Aug. De Civ. Dei, lib. v. cap. 1-5. Hinc divinatores per antonomasiam Chaldaei appellati.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 47:12
(12) If so be thou shalt be able . . .—The words come with a subtle tone of irony. Persevere in thy enchantments . . . perchance thou wilt be able to profit, perchance thou wilt strike terror.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 47:12
12. Stand now with &c.] Either Stand by thy spells, persist in them, stake everything upon them, as Leviticus 13:5; Jeremiah 48:11, Ezekiel 13:5 (these parallels, however, are not quite convincing); or (as in Isaiah 47:13) Stand forth with thy spells. wherein thou hast laboured from thy youth] Or: with which thou hast wearied thyself, &c.; see on ch. Isaiah 43:22. Duhm omits these words entirely, for the sake of the rhythm, but they excite no suspicion on any other ground. if so be &c.] perchance thou wilt be able to profit!— perchance thou wilt inspire terror! (Cf. R.V.) keen and bitter irony.
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 47:12
Stand now with thy enchantments - (See the notes at Isaiah 47:9). This is evidently sarcastic and ironical.
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 47:12
12. Wherein thou hast laboured — Namely, in astrology, magic, or sorceries, through which Babylon might attempt to thwart the divine decree.
Sermons on Isaiah 47:12
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Deliverance - Part 2 by Derek Prince | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of Moses and the magicians in the book of Exodus. He highlights the supernatural powers displayed by both Moses and the magicians, b |
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About Astrology by Jack Hayford | Jack Hayford addresses the topic of astrology, emphasizing the Bible's rejection and condemnation of it, warning of the confusion and tragic consequences that come with practicing |
|
Applying the Test of Biblical Accuracy by A.W. Tozer | Greek Word Studies for aid_number 35832 delves into the origins and meanings of 'pharmakeia', primarily signifying the use of medicine, drugs, spells, and sorcery. The practice of |
|
Wine for Gospel wantons... by Thomas Shepard | Thomas Shepard preaches on the consequences of spiritual drunkenness as described in Jeremiah 13:12-15, where God fills the inhabitants of the land with a spirit of drunkenness, le |
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2 Timothy - Part 14 by John Hunter | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the presence of con men in the world who deceive people and take their money. He also talks about a proud and arrogant man who believes he is |
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All Miracles and Healings Come From God by Anton Bosch | Anton Bosch emphasizes that the ability to perform miracles does not automatically authenticate a ministry, as even false prophets and charlatans can deceive with signs and wonders |
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(Isaiah) How to Prepare for God’s Judgment by David Guzik | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of focusing on the word of God and seeking guidance from it. He encourages the audience to trust in God and look to Him for he |