Isaiah 47:15
Isaiah 47:15 in Multiple Translations
This is what they are to you— those with whom you have labored and traded from youth— each one strays in his own direction; not one of them can save you.
Thus shall they be unto thee with whom thou hast laboured, even thy merchants, from thy youth: they shall wander every one to his quarter; none shall save thee.
Thus shall the things be unto thee wherein thou hast labored: they that have trafficked with thee from thy youth shall wander every one to his quarter; there shall be none to save thee.
Small profit have you had from those who, from your earliest days, got great profit out of you; they have gone in flight, every one straight before him, and you have no saviour.
All those people you've worked with, all those you've traded with from when you were young—they will all go their own way, nobody will come and save you.
Thus shall they serue thee, with whom thou hast wearied thee, euen thy marchants from thy youth: euery one shall wander to his owne quarter: none shall saue thee.
So have they been to thee with whom thou hast laboured, Thy merchants from thy youth, Each to his passage they have wandered, Thy saviour is not!
The things that you labored in will be like this: those who have trafficked with you from your youth will each wander in his own way. There will be no one to save you.
Thus shall they be to thee with whom thou hast labored, even thy merchants, from thy youth: they shall wander every one to his quarter; none shall save thee.
Such are all the things become to thee, in which thou best laboured: thy merchants from thy youth, every one hath erred in his own way, there is none that can save thee.
The people whom you have associated with and worked with since you were young will not help you, because they will just continue doing their own foolish things, and they will not pay any attention to you when you cry out for help.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 47:15
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 47:15 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כֵּ֥ן
הָיוּ
לָ֖/ךְ
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
יָגָ֑עַתְּ
סֹחֲרַ֣יִ/ךְ
מִ/נְּעוּרַ֗יִ/ךְ
אִ֤ישׁ
לְ/עֶבְר/וֹ֙
תָּע֔וּ
אֵ֖ין
מוֹשִׁיעֵֽ/ךְ
כֵּ֥ן
kên
H3651
right
Part
הָיוּ
hâyâh
H1961
to be
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
לָ֖/ךְ
Prep | Suff
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Rel
יָגָ֑עַתְּ
yâgaʻ
H3021
be weary/toil
V-Qal-Perf-2fs
סֹחֲרַ֣יִ/ךְ
çâchar
H5503
to trade
V-Qal | Suff
מִ/נְּעוּרַ֗יִ/ךְ
nâʻûwr
H5271
youth
Prep | N-cp | Suff
אִ֤ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
man
N-ms
לְ/עֶבְר/וֹ֙
ʻêber
H5676
side
Prep | N-ms | Suff
תָּע֔וּ
tâʻâh
H8582
to go astray
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
אֵ֖ין
ʼayin
H369
nothing
Part
מוֹשִׁיעֵֽ/ךְ
yâshaʻ
H3467
to save
V-Hiphil | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 47:15
כֵּ֥ן
kên
H3651
"right"
Part
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means 'so' or 'thus', often used to show agreement or confirmation, like in the book of Genesis. It can also mean 'rightly' or 'justly', as in doing something the correct way. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: adv adj 1) right, just, honest, true, veritable 1a) right, just, honest 1b) correct 1c) true, veritable
Usage: Occurs in 737 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] after that (this, -ward, -wards), as... as, [phrase] (for-) asmuch as yet, [phrase] be (for which) cause, [phrase] following, howbeit, in (the) like (manner, -wise), [idiom] the more, right, (even) so, state, straightway, such (thing), surely, [phrase] there (where) -fore, this, thus, true, well, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:7; Exodus 37:19; Judges 7:17.
הָיוּ
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
לָ֖/ךְ
""
Prep | Suff
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
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.
יָגָ֑עַתְּ
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.
סֹחֲרַ֣יִ/ךְ
çâchar
H5503
"to trade"
V-Qal | Suff
This Hebrew word means to travel around, often for trade or business. It can also describe a person who goes around buying and selling goods. In the Bible, it is used to describe merchants or traders.
Definition: 1) to go around, go about, travel about in, go about in trade 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go about to and fro (in business) 1a2) trader, trafficker (participle) 1b) (Pilpel) to palpitate
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: go about, merchant(-man), occupy with, pant, trade, traffick. See also: Genesis 23:16; Isaiah 23:2; Psalms 38:11.
מִ/נְּעוּרַ֗יִ/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.
אִ֤ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
לְ/עֶבְר/וֹ֙
ʻêber
H5676
"side"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
This word describes a region or side, often referring to the area beyond or across a river, and can be used to describe a location, direction, or perspective.
Definition: : ahead/beyond 1) region beyond or across, side 1a) region across or beyond 1b) side, opposite side
Usage: Occurs in 83 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] against, beyond, by, [idiom] from, over, passage, quarter, (other, this) side, straight. See also: Genesis 50:10; Joshua 22:11; Isaiah 7:20.
תָּע֔וּ
tâʻâh
H8582
"to go astray"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
This word means to go astray or wander, and can be used physically or morally. It can also mean to cause someone to err or stumble.
Definition: 1) to err, wander, go astray, stagger 1a) (Qal) to err 1a1) to wander about (physically) 1a2) of intoxication 1a3) of sin (ethically) 1a4) wandering (of the mind) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be made to wander about, be made to stagger (drunkard) 1b2) to be led astray (ethically) 1c) (Hiphil) to cause to wander 1c1) to cause to wander about (physically) 1c2) to cause to wander (of intoxication) 1c3) to cause to err, mislead (mentally and morally)
Usage: Occurs in 45 OT verses. KJV: (cause to) go astray, deceive, dissemble, (cause to, make to) err, pant, seduce, (make to) stagger, (cause to) wander, be out of the way. See also: Genesis 20:13; Isaiah 9:15; Psalms 58:4.
אֵ֖ין
ʼayin
H369
"nothing"
Part
This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.
Definition: 1) nothing, not, nought n 1a) nothing, nought neg 1b) not 1c) to have not (of possession) adv 1d) without w/prep 1e) for lack of
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: else, except, fail, (father-) less, be gone, in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any, thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable), well-nigh, without. Compare H370 (אַיִן). See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 14:27; 1 Kings 15:22.
מוֹשִׁיעֵֽ/ךְ
yâshaʻ
H3467
"to save"
V-Hiphil | Suff
Means to save or be delivered, used in the Bible to describe being freed from danger or trouble, like in battle or from moral struggles, as seen in the Psalms and Proverbs.
Definition: 1) to save, be saved, be delivered 1a) (Niphal) 1a1) to be liberated, be saved, be delivered 1a2) to be saved (in battle), be victorious 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to save, deliver 1b2) to save from moral troubles 1b3) to give victory to
Usage: Occurs in 198 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, avenging, defend, deliver(-er), help, preserve, rescue, be safe, bring (having) salvation, save(-iour), get victory. See also: Exodus 2:17; Psalms 55:17; Psalms 3:8.
Study Notes — Isaiah 47:15
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 47:15 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 47:15
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 47:15
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 47:15
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 47:15
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 47:15
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 47:15
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 47:15
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 47:15
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 47:15
- Sermons on Isaiah 47:15
Context — The Humiliation of Babylon
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.
15This is what they are to you— those with whom you have labored and traded from youth— each one strays in his own direction; not one of them can save you.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 56:11 | Like ravenous dogs, they are never satisfied. They are shepherds with no discernment; they all turn to their own way, each one seeking his own gain: |
| 2 | Ezekiel 27:12–25 | Tarshish was your merchant because of your great wealth of goods; they exchanged silver, iron, tin, and lead for your wares. Javan, Tubal, and Meshech were your merchants. They exchanged slaves and bronze utensils for your merchandise. The men of Beth-togarmah exchanged horses, war horses, and mules for your wares. The men of Dedan were your clients; many coastlands were your market; they paid you with ivory tusks and ebony. Aram was your customer because of your many products; they exchanged turquoise, purple, embroidered work, fine linen, coral, and rubies for your wares. Judah and the land of Israel traded with you; they exchanged wheat from Minnith, cakes and honey, oil and balm for your merchandise. Because of your many products and your great wealth of goods, Damascus traded with you wine from Helbon, wool from Zahar, and casks of wine from Izal for your wares. Wrought iron, cassia, and sweet cane were exchanged for your merchandise. Dedan was your merchant in saddlecloths for riding. Arabia and all the princes of Kedar were your customers, trading in lambs, rams, and goats. The merchants of Sheba and Raamah traded with you; for your wares they exchanged gold, the finest of all spices, and precious stones. Haran, Canneh, and Eden traded with you, and so did the merchants of Sheba, Asshur, and Chilmad. In your marketplace they traded with you fine garments of blue, embroidered work, and multicolored rugs with cords tightly twisted and knotted. The ships of Tarshish carried your merchandise. And you were filled with heavy cargo in the heart of the sea. |
| 3 | Jeremiah 51:6–9 | Flee from Babylon! Escape with your lives! Do not be destroyed in her punishment. For this is the time of the LORD’s vengeance; He will pay her what she deserves. Babylon was a gold cup in the hand of the LORD, making the whole earth drunk. The nations drank her wine; therefore the nations have gone mad. Suddenly Babylon has fallen and been shattered. Wail for her; get her balm for her pain; perhaps she can be healed. “We tried to heal Babylon, but she could not be healed. Abandon her! Let each of us go to his own land, for her judgment extends to the sky and reaches to the clouds.” |
| 4 | Revelation 18:11–19 | And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, because there is no one left to buy their cargo— cargo of gold, silver, precious stones, and pearls; of fine linen, purple, silk, and scarlet; of all kinds of citron wood and every article of ivory, precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble; of cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, and frankincense; of wine, olive oil, fine flour, and wheat; of cattle, sheep, horses, and chariots; of slaves and souls of men. And they will say: “The fruit of your soul’s desire has departed from you; all your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be seen again.” The merchants who sold these things and grew their wealth from her will stand at a distance, in fear of her torment. They will weep and mourn, saying: “Woe, woe to the great city, clothed in fine linen and purple and scarlet, adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls! For in a single hour such fabulous wealth has been destroyed!” Every shipmaster, passenger, and sailor, and all who make their living from the sea, will stand at a distance and cry out at the sight of the smoke rising from the fire that consumes her. “What city was ever like this great city?” they will exclaim. Then they will throw dust on their heads as they weep and mourn and cry out: “Woe, woe to the great city, where all who had ships on the sea were enriched by her wealth! For in a single hour she has been destroyed.” |
Isaiah 47:15 Summary
[This verse, Isaiah 47:15, is telling us that the people and things we trust in and work with in this life will eventually let us down because they are not reliable or stable. As it says in Psalms 146:3, we should not put our trust in princes or the son of man, who has no power to save. Instead, we should put our trust in God, who is always faithful and able to save us, as seen in Deuteronomy 31:6 where it says He will never leave us or forsake us.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that those with whom you have labored and traded from youth stray in their own direction?
This means that even those you have trusted and relied on for a long time will ultimately abandon you and go their separate ways, unable to provide the help you need, as seen in Isaiah 47:15 and also in Psalms 118:8-9 where it says it is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.
Can anyone save us from the troubles of this life?
According to Isaiah 47:15, not one of our earthly allies or partners can save us, emphasizing the importance of looking to God for salvation, as stated in Proverbs 3:5-6 to trust in the Lord with all our heart.
What is the significance of the phrase 'each one strays in his own direction'?
This phrase highlights the fleeting nature of human relationships and alliances, reminding us that true stability and salvation come from the Lord, as expressed in Jeremiah 10:23, which says the way of man is not in himself.
How does this verse relate to putting our trust in the wrong things?
Isaiah 47:15 warns against putting our trust in earthly things or people, instead encouraging us to seek salvation and guidance from the Lord, as taught in Jeremiah 17:5-8, where trusting in man leads to curses, but trusting in God leads to blessings.
Reflection Questions
- What are some things in my life that I have trusted in, only to find them failing me, and how can I apply the lesson of Isaiah 47:15 to those situations?
- In what ways have I seen people or things I trusted 'stray in their own direction', and how did that affect me?
- How can I shift my focus from trusting in earthly alliances or things to trusting in the Lord, as encouraged by this verse and others like Psalms 20:7-8?
- What does it mean for me personally to recognize that 'not one of them can save you', and how should this realization shape my daily life and decisions?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 47:15
Thus shall they be unto thee with whom thou hast laboured,.... In training them up in those arts, and in consulting with them in cases of difficulty; in which they were of no service, and now in time
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 47:15
Thus shall they be unto thee with whom thou hast laboured, even thy merchants, from thy youth: they shall wander every one to his quarter; none shall save thee.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 47:15
Thus, such comfortless and helpless creatures, shall they be; either, 1. Thy merchants, as it follows, with whom thou hast trafficked. Or, 2. Thy sorcerers, astrologers, &c., with whom they are said to have laboured, both here and , who also may possibly be called their merchants, because they traded so much with them, and because of their deceitful practices; for which Ephraim is called a merchant, . And so the following clause may be rendered, who have been thy merchants from thy youth. Or the last clause may be understood of merchants, properly so called, who came from several countries to trade with Babylon, as is noted in Scripture, and by other authors; and the verse may be thus rendered; Thus (vain and unprofitable) shall they (thy sorcerers, &c.) with whom thou hast laboured be unto thee: (so here is only a transposition of words, than which nothing is more usual in Scripture. Then follows another matter in the next clause:) also thy merchants, or they with whom thou hast traded from thy youth, shall wander every one to his own quarter. None shall save thee; they shall all leave thee, and flee away with all possible speed to their several countries and habitations.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 47:15
Isaiah 47:15 Thus shall they be unto thee with whom thou hast laboured, [even] thy merchants, from thy youth: they shall wander every one to his quarter; none shall save thee.Ver. 15. Thus shall they be unto thee with whom thou hast laboured.] But all in vain; viz., with thy wizards and diviners, those deceivers of the people, concerning whom Cato once said, Potest Augur Augurem videre et non ridere? Can those fellows look one on another and not laugh, when they consider how they deceive people, and cheat them of their moneys? Hence they are called merchants also in the next words, as some think, qui non tam coeli rationem quam coelati argenti ducunt. Such money merchants hath mystical Babylon also not a few. Non desunt Antichristo sui Augures et malifici, saith Oecolampadius; Antichrist hath those abroad that trade with him and for him; these shall be "cast alive with him into the burning lake," and though they wander, yet not so wide as to miss hell. Cic. De Divinat., lib. ii. Cic. orat. iv. in Ver.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 47:15
(15) Thy merchants, from thy youth . . .—The commerce of Babylon is specially prominent in all descriptions. (Comp. Herod. i. 194-196; Ezekiel 17:4.) The time was coming when those who had thronged her markets would desert her and leave her to her desolation.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 47:15
Verse 15. To his quarter - "To his own business"] לעברו leebro. Expositors give no very good account of this word in this place. In a MS. it was at first לעבדו leabdo, to his servant or work, which is probably the true reading. The sense however is pretty much the same with the common interpretation: "Every one shall turn aside to his own business; none shall deliver thee."
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 47:15
15. with whom thou hast laboured] See on Isaiah 47:12. thy merchants] Cf. Nahum 3:16 f., and see on ch. Isaiah 13:14. The abrupt introduction of merchants here is somewhat perplexing, especially after the adverb “so”; but the word never means anything else in Hebrew; and the context requires that some new persons should be understood, since the astrologers have perished in the fire, while these make their escape. It may however be used in a wide sense, of nations that trafficked with Babylon. every one to his quarter] Rather: each straight before him; cf. Ezekiel 1:9 (the cherubim went “everyone straight forward.”).
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 47:15
With whom thou hast labored - The multitude of diviners, astrologers, and merchants, with whom thou hast been connected and employed. The idea is, that Babylon had been the mart where all of them had been assembled.
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 47:15
15. None shall save thee — Babylon was well situated for traffic with the north, northwest, east, and south.
Sermons on Isaiah 47:15
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Latent Power of the Soul by Watchman Nee | Watchman Nee delivers a profound message on 'The Latent Power of the Soul,' emphasizing the distinction between the spirit, soul, and body, and how the fall of Adam has confined th |