Such to you are those with whom you have labored, who have done business with you from your youth; they wander about, each in his own direction; there is no one to save you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights how Babylon's closest allies, those she's relied on since "youth," are not just merchants but also her trusted counselors and diviners. When disaster strikes, they won't rally to save her; instead, they'll flee, each looking out for themselves, leaving Babylon utterly alone in her ruin.
Such to you are those with whom you have labored, who have done business with you from your youth; they wander about, each in his own direction; there is no one to save you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The preceding verses have detailed Babylon's proud reliance on its astrologers and sorcerers, promising them salvation through their crafts. This verse shifts focus to all those who have profited from Babylon's system, specifically its merchants and foreign traders, emphasizing that even these allies will abandon the city in its final hour of judgment, leaving Babylon utterly defenseless.
When disaster strikes, who stands by you? Babylon learned a hard lesson when her closest companions abandoned her.
When the Chips Are Down
Isaiah 47:15 paints a stark picture of betrayal. Babylon, once a mighty empire, had relied on various groups for its power and prestige: diviners, astrologers, and merchants. These weren't just casual acquaintances; they were described as those 'with whom you have labored' and 'your merchants, from your youth.' This implies deep, long-standing relationships and economic ties.
But when the judgment of God descended upon Babylon, these allies didn't rush to her defense. Instead, they 'wander about, each in his own direction.' They fled, looking out for their own safety and interests, leaving Babylon utterly alone. This highlights a crucial truth: alliances built on self-interest, or even deep historical connections, can crumble when real crisis hits.
The text makes it clear that Babylon's trusted network, whether for spiritual guidance or commercial gain, offered no salvation. Their departure wasn't just a minor inconvenience; it sealed Babylon's fate, emphasizing that external support, when it lacks divine backing, is ultimately useless.
Babylon thought she had it all – wisdom, wealth, and reliable partners. But her 'wisdom' blinded her to her own impending doom.
Trusted in the Wrong Places
The condemnation of Babylon in Isaiah 47 isn't just about her external enemies, but also her internal sources of confidence. The text (and the preceding verses in Isaiah 47) speaks of Babylon trusting in her 'wickedness,' her 'wisdom and knowledge,' her 'divinations,' and her 'counsels.' These were the very things she believed would protect her.
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Her merchants and advisors, her religious and political systems, all contributed to a sense of self-sufficiency. She believed these would provide security and prosperity indefinitely ('I shall be a lady for ever,' Isaiah 47:7). However, these very sources of pride and reliance became the instruments of her isolation. Her 'merchants from your youth' who had profited from her system, are now the ones who flee, leaving her exposed.
This reveals a critical theological point: true security doesn't come from human systems, accumulated wealth, or even specialized knowledge, but from God alone. When we place our ultimate trust in anything less, we are building on sand, and our closest 'allies' will ultimately fail us when the storm hits.
Understand the original words
yasha' · Hebrew Verb
The act of preserving, rescuing, or bringing to a state of safety or wholeness. Biblically, it emphasizes that human strength and occult practices are incapable of providing the salvation that comes from God alone.
This prophecy unfolds against the backdrop of Babylon's immense power and its subsequent devastating fall to the Persians. The verse highlights the utter abandonment of Babylon by its allies and trading partners in its final moments, emphasizing that even those who profited from its prosperity could offer no salvation in its hour of destruction.
c. 7th Century BC
Babylon's Golden Age
Babylon reaches its peak of power and cultural influence under rulers like Nebuchadnezzar II, becoming a major center of trade, learning, and empire.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
Nebuchadnezzar II conquers Jerusalem, destroys the Temple, and exiles a significant portion of the Judean population to Babylon. This event deeply impacts the audience of Isaiah's prophecy.
c. 550 BC
Rise of Persia
Cyrus the Great unites the Medes and Persians, forming a formidable empire that begins to threaten Babylon's dominance.
539 BC— this verse
Fall of Babylon to Persia
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon, marking the end of the Neo-Babylonian Empire and ushering in a new era for the region. The prophet Isaiah's words about Babylon's downfall are being fulfilled.
c. 538 BC
Decree of Cyrus
Following the conquest, Cyrus issues a decree allowing exiled peoples, including the Judeans, to return to their homelands and rebuild their temples.
This passage also speaks of extensive trade and merchants, highlighting the commercial might that will ultimately fail in times of judgment, mirroring Isaiah's theme of abandoned commercial partners.
Jeremiah 51:45-46This passage directly parallels Isaiah's warning about Babylon's judgment, urging God's people to flee and not be consumed with her, echoing the idea that those associated with Babylon will suffer its fate or abandon it.
Nahum 3:16-17This text describes the scattering of Nineveh's merchants, who are likened to locusts that fly away, directly correlating with the imagery in Isaiah 47:15 of merchants wandering away and none being left to save the city.
Revelation 18:17-19This New Testament passage describes the destruction of a future Babylon-like city, emphasizing the loss of merchants and the mourning over its desolation, showing a consistent prophetic theme of commercial centers facing judgment and abandonment.
barnesIsaiah 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."
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. Even thy merchants from thy youth - Babylon was favorably situated for traffic; and was distinguished for…
pulpitIsaiah 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."
Verse 15. - Thus shall they be unto thee with whom thou hast laboured. The foreigners who have participated in the toils and labours of Babylon shall share in her punishment. The flame of judgment shall not spare even them. Even thy merchants. Babylonian commerce is the subject of an important chapter in Heeren's 'Asiati…
The verse highlights how Babylon's closest allies, those she's relied on since "youth," are not just merchants but also her trusted counselors and diviners. When disaster strikes, they won't rally to save her; instead, they'll flee, each looking out for themselves, leaving Babylon utterly alone in her ruin.
The preceding verses have detailed Babylon's proud reliance on its astrologers and sorcerers, promising them salvation through their crafts. This verse shifts focus to all those who have profited from Babylon's system, specifically its merchants and foreign traders, emphasizing that even these allies will abandon the city in its final hour of judgment, leaving Babylon utterly defenseless.
The preceding verses have detailed Babylon's proud reliance on its astrologers and sorcerers, promising them salvation through their crafts. This verse shifts focus to all those who have profited from Babylon's system, specifically its merchants and foreign traders, emphasizing that even these allies will abandon the city in its final hour of judgment, leaving Babylon utterly defenseless.
"Such to you are those with whom you have labored, who have done business with you from your youth; they wander about, each in his own direction; there is no one to save you." — The verse highlights how Babylon's closest allies, those she's relied on since "youth," are not just merchants but also her trusted counselors and diviners. When disaster strikes, they won't rally to…
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Last reviewed October 2026