But evil shall come upon you, which you will not know how to charm away; disaster shall fall upon you, for which you will not be able to atone; and ruin shall come upon you suddenly, of which you know nothing.
English Standard Version (ESV)
What’s often missed is that the destruction here isn't just sudden, but also fundamentally unknowable. Babylon, with all its supposed wisdom and divinations, won't even be able to grasp how it's being undone or when the ruin began, highlighting the ultimate impotence of human knowledge against God's sovereign judgment.
But evil shall come upon you, which you will not know how to charm away; disaster shall fall upon you, for which you will not be able to atone; and ruin shall come upon you suddenly, of which you know nothing.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Babylon, in its arrogance, believed itself invincible and eternally secure, dismissing any warnings of future downfall. Now, God declares that a sudden, unpreventable disaster will strike, something their magic and wisdom cannot ward off or even anticipate. This divine judgment is a direct consequence of their pride and reliance on their own power, not on God.
Babylon felt so powerful, so in control. But this verse reveals a stark, terrifying reality: their perceived mastery was about to shatter.
Isaiah 47:11 paints a picture of a complete loss of agency. The "evil," "disaster," and "ruin" are not just abstract threats; they are presented as unstoppable forces.
Beyond Their Reach
Why does disaster strike so suddenly and inexplicably? This verse suggests it's deeply tied to a history of pride and a blindness to reality.
The verse directly links the sudden, inescapable doom to Babylon's character and past actions.
The Consequences of Arrogance
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Understand the original words
ra'ah · Hebrew Noun
In biblical usage, refers to moral depravity, adversity, or calamity brought upon a person or nation as a judgment of God. It signifies something harmful, worthless, or wicked that causes ruin.
sho'ah · Hebrew Noun
A state of sudden catastrophe or destruction. It often denotes a violent overthrow or a downfall that is devastating and irreversible.
kaphar · Hebrew Verb
A process of making amends or paying a debt to appease an offended party, especially God. It signifies the removal of guilt or the cancellation of a penalty through an acceptable substitute or action.
sho'ah · Hebrew Noun
Destruction or desolation resulting in a state of ruin. It describes the state of being devastated, desolate, or wasted, often as a result of divine judgment.
This prophecy against Babylon highlights its downfall due to its arrogance, reliance on false wisdom like astrology, and cruelty. The verse emphasizes that its ruin will be sudden and beyond its control, a stark contrast to its perceived invincibility.
c. 7th Century BC
Babylon's Imperial Power
Babylon rises to become a dominant force in the ancient Near East, known for its immense wealth, advanced culture, and sophisticated systems of divination and astrology.
c. 7th Century BC
Assyrian Rule Overthrown
Babylon, under Nabopolassar, rebels against and overthrows the Assyrian Empire, establishing the Neo-Babylonian Empire.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Under Nebuchadnezzar II, Babylon conquers Judah and deports a portion of the population, including Daniel, to Babylon.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem
Babylon destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling many more Judeans. This marks a period of intense suffering and spiritual crisis for the Israelites.
c. 550s BC
Rise of Cyrus the Great
Cyrus the Great unites the Persian tribes and begins to challenge Babylonian dominance, setting the stage for the empire's eventual fall.
539 BC— this verse
Fall of Babylon
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon, marking the end of the Neo-Babylonian Empire and fulfilling prophecies of its downfall.
This verse echoes Isaiah's prophecy, stating that Babylon will be consumed by judgment, just as Isaiah warned that unexpected disaster would befall them.
Daniel 5:25-28The historical account of Belshazzar's feast shows the suddenness and unforeseen nature of Babylon's fall, directly fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy of ruin coming suddenly and unknown.
Ezekiel 28:3Like Isaiah's description of Babylon's arrogance and misplaced trust, this passage critiques the pride of the King of Tyre, who also believed himself to be divinely wise and untouchable.
Proverbs 29:1This proverb's theme of destruction for those who are stiff-necked directly relates to Isaiah's message that Babylon's defiant evil and inability to appease disaster would lead to its downfall.
pulpitIsaiah 47:11: "Therefore shall evil come upon thee; thou shalt not know from whence it riseth: and mischief shall fall upon thee; thou shalt not be able to put it off: and desolation shall come upon thee suddenly, which thou shalt not know."
Verse 11. - Therefore shall evil come upon thee. Connect this with the first clause of ver. 10, "Thou hast trusted in thine own evil (moral), therefore shall evil (physical) fall upon thee." The same word, ra'ah, is used in both places. Thou shalt not know…
barnesIsaiah 47:11: "Therefore shall evil come upon thee; thou shalt not know from whence it riseth: and mischief shall fall upon thee; thou shalt not be able to put it off: and desolation shall come upon thee suddenly, which thou shalt not know."
Therefore shall evil come upon thee - In consequence of thy pride and self-confidence; of the prevalence of corruption, licentiousness, and sin; of the prevalence of the arts of magic and of divination abounding there; and of the cruel and unfeeling oppress…
What’s often missed is that the destruction here isn't just sudden, but also fundamentally unknowable. Babylon, with all its supposed wisdom and divinations, won't even be able to grasp how it's being undone or when the ruin began, highlighting the ultimate impotence of human knowledge against God's sovereign judgment.
Babylon, in its arrogance, believed itself invincible and eternally secure, dismissing any warnings of future downfall. Now, God declares that a sudden, unpreventable disaster will strike, something their magic and wisdom cannot ward off or even anticipate. This divine judgment is a direct consequence of their pride and reliance on their own power, not on God.
Babylon, in its arrogance, believed itself invincible and eternally secure, dismissing any warnings of future downfall. Now, God declares that a sudden, unpreventable disaster will strike, something their magic and wisdom cannot ward off or even anticipate. This divine judgment is a direct consequence of their pride and reliance on their own power, not on God.
"But evil shall come upon you, which you will not know how to charm away; disaster shall fall upon you, for which you will not be able to atone; and ruin shall come upon you suddenly, of which you know nothin…" — What’s often missed is that the destruction here isn't just sudden, but also fundamentally unknowable. Babylon, with all its supposed wisdom and divinations, won't even be able to grasp how it'…
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Last reviewed October 2026