Isaiah 47:11

Isaiah 47:11 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

But 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.

King James Version KJV

¶ 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.

American Standard Version ASV

Therefore shall evil come upon thee; thou shalt not know the dawning thereof: and mischief shall fall upon thee; thou shalt not be able to put it away: and desolation shall come upon thee suddenly, which thou knowest not.

Bible in Basic English BBE

Because of this evil will come on you, which may not be turned away for any price: and trouble will overtake you, from which no money will give salvation: destruction will come on you suddenly, without your knowledge.

Free Bible Version FBV

Evil is going to strike you, and you won't be able to magic it away. Disaster will fall on you that you can't stop by paying a ransom. Destruction will suddenly hit you that you weren't expecting.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Therefore shall euill come vpon thee, and thou shalt not knowe the morning thereof: destruction shall fal vpon thee, which thou shalt not be able to put away: destruction shall come vpon thee suddenly, or thou beware.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And come in on thee hath evil, Thou knowest not its rising, And fall on thee doth mischief, Thou art not able to pacify it, And come on thee suddenly doth desolation, Thou knowest not.

World English Bible WEB

Therefore disaster will come on you. You won’t know when it dawns. Mischief will fall on you. You won’t be able to put it away. Desolation will come on you suddenly, which you don’t understand.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

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.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Evil shall come upon thee, and then shalt not know the rising thereof: and calamity shall fall violently upon thee, which thou canst not keep off: misery shall come upon thee suddenly, which thou shalt not know.

Translation for Translators T4T

So you will experience terrible things, and you will not be able to prevent them by working magic. You will experience disasters, and you will not be able to pay anyone to prevent those things from happening. ◄A catastrophe/Something terrible► will happen to you suddenly, something that you will not realize is about to happen.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 47:11

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 47:11 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וּ/בָ֧א עָלַ֣יִ/ךְ רָעָ֗ה לֹ֤א תֵדְעִי֙ שַׁחְרָ֔/הּ וְ/תִפֹּ֤ל עָלַ֨יִ/ךְ֙ הֹוָ֔ה לֹ֥א תוּכְלִ֖י כַּפְּרָ֑/הּ וְ/תָבֹ֨א עָלַ֧יִ/ךְ פִּתְאֹ֛ם שׁוֹאָ֖ה לֹ֥א תֵדָֽעִי

וּ/בָ֧א bôwʼ H935 Lebo Conj | V-Qal-Perf-3ms

עָלַ֣יִ/ךְ ʻal H5921 upon Prep | Suff

רָעָ֗ה raʻ H7451 bad N-fs

לֹ֤א lôʼ H3808 not Part

תֵדְעִי֙ yâdaʻ H3045 to know V-Qal-Imperf-2fs

שַׁחְרָ֔/הּ shachar H7837 dawn V-Piel-Inf-a | Suff

וְ/תִפֹּ֤ל nâphal H5307 to fall Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3fs

עָלַ֨יִ/ךְ֙ ʻal H5921 upon Prep | Suff

הֹוָ֔ה hôvâh H1943 misfortune N-fs

לֹ֥א lôʼ H3808 not Part

תוּכְלִ֖י yâkôl H3201 be able V-Qal-Imperf-2fs

כַּפְּרָ֑/הּ kâphar H3722 to atone V-Piel-Inf-a | Suff

וְ/תָבֹ֨א bôwʼ H935 Lebo Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3fs

עָלַ֧יִ/ךְ ʻal H5921 upon Prep | Suff

פִּתְאֹ֛ם pithʼôwm H6597 suddenly Adv

שׁוֹאָ֖ה shôwʼ H7722 ravage N-fs

לֹ֥א lôʼ H3808 not Part

תֵדָֽעִי yâdaʻ H3045 to know V-Qal-Imperf-2fs

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 47:11

וּ/בָ֧א bôwʼ H935 "Lebo" Conj | V-Qal-Perf-3ms

This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.

Definition: A shortened name of Lebo Hamath complined withcha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574) This name means to go in, enter

Usage: Occurs in 2307 OT verses. KJV: abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. See also: Genesis 2:19; Genesis 32:7; Exodus 1:19.

עָלַ֣יִ/ךְ ʻal H5921 "upon" Prep | Suff

This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.

Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)

Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.

רָעָ֗ה raʻ H7451 "bad" N-fs

Ra means bad or evil, referring to moral or natural harm. It describes adversity, affliction, or distress, and is often used to convey a sense of misery or injury.

Definition: : harmful adj 1) bad, evil 1a) bad, disagreeable, malignant 1b) bad, unpleasant, evil (giving pain, unhappiness, misery) 1c) evil, displeasing 1d) bad (of its kind-land, water, etc) 1e) bad (of value) 1f) worse than, worst (comparison) 1g) sad, unhappy 1h) evil (hurtful) 1i) bad, unkind (vicious in disposition) 1j) bad, evil, wicked (ethically) 1j1) in general, of persons, of thoughts 1j2) deeds, actions

Usage: Occurs in 623 OT verses. KJV: adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, [phrase] displease(-ure), distress, evil((-favouredness), man, thing), [phrase] exceedingly, [idiom] great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured), [phrase] mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, [phrase] not please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong. (Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.). See also: Genesis 2:9; Judges 9:57; 2 Kings 21:6.

לֹ֤א lôʼ H3808 "not" Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.

תֵדְעִי֙ yâdaʻ H3045 "to know" V-Qal-Imperf-2fs

The Hebrew word for to know means to ascertain by seeing, and is used in many senses, including to learn, perceive, and recognize, as seen in various KJV translations.

Definition: 1) to know 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to know 1a1a) to know, learn to know 1a1b) to perceive 1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern 1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish 1a1e) to know by experience 1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess 1a1g) to consider 1a2) to know, be acquainted with 1a3) to know (a person carnally) 1a4) to know how, be skilful in 1a5) to have knowledge, be wise 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed 1b2) to make oneself known 1b3) to be perceived 1b4) to be instructed 1c) (Piel) to cause to know 1d) (Poal) to cause to know 1e) (Pual) 1e1) to be known 1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle) 1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare 1g) (Hophal) to be made known 1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)

Usage: Occurs in 874 OT verses. KJV: acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot. See also: Genesis 3:5; Leviticus 5:4; Judges 21:12.

שַׁחְרָ֔/הּ shachar H7837 "dawn" V-Piel-Inf-a | Suff

Dawn, or the beginning of a new day, is described in the Bible as a time of new light and hope. It first appears in Genesis 1:5, describing the first day of creation. This concept is also used figuratively to describe a new beginning.

Definition: 1) dawn 1a) dawn 1b) at dawn (as adverb)

Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: day(-spring), early, light, morning, whence riseth. See also: Genesis 19:15; Psalms 108:3; Psalms 22:1.

וְ/תִפֹּ֤ל nâphal H5307 "to fall" Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3fs

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to fall, and it's used in many ways, like falling down, failing, or being defeated. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah. God's people often fell away from Him, but He always offered a way back.

Definition: : fall/drop/fail 1) to fall, lie, be cast down, fail 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to fall 1a2) to fall (of violent death) 1a3) to fall prostrate, prostrate oneself before 1a4) to fall upon, attack, desert, fall away to, go away to, fall into the hand of 1a5) to fall short, fail, fall out, turn out, result 1a6) to settle, waste away, be offered, be inferior to 1a7) to lie, lie prostrate 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to fall, fell, throw down, knock out, lay prostrate 1b2) to overthrow 1b3) to make the lot fall, assign by lot, apportion by lot 1b4) to let drop, cause to fail (fig.) 1b5) to cause to fall 1c) (Hithpael) 1c1) to throw or prostrate oneself, throw oneself upon 1c2) to lie prostrate, prostrate oneself 1d) (Pilel) to fall

Usage: Occurs in 403 OT verses. KJV: be accepted, cast (down, self, (lots), out), cease, die, divide (by lot), (let) fail, (cause to, let, make, ready to) fall (away, down, -en, -ing), fell(-ing), fugitive, have (inheritance), inferior, be judged (by mistake for H6419 (פָּלַל)), lay (along), (cause to) lie down, light (down), be ([idiom] hast) lost, lying, overthrow, overwhelm, perish, present(-ed, -ing), (make to) rot, slay, smite out, [idiom] surely, throw down. See also: Genesis 2:21; 1 Samuel 17:52; Esther 9:3.

עָלַ֨יִ/ךְ֙ ʻal H5921 "upon" Prep | Suff

This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.

הֹוָ֔ה hôvâh H1943 "misfortune" N-fs

Hovah signifies misfortune or ruin, describing a disastrous situation. It's about experiencing or causing trouble, and is sometimes translated as mischief. This idea is found in the Bible as a negative outcome.

Definition: ruin, disaster

Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: mischief. See also: Isaiah 47:11; Ezekiel 7:26.

לֹ֥א lôʼ H3808 "not" Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

תוּכְלִ֖י 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.

כַּפְּרָ֑/הּ kâphar H3722 "to atone" V-Piel-Inf-a | Suff

To cover means to coat or cover something, like when the ark was covered with pitch to protect it. This word is also used figuratively to describe making amends or forgiving someone, like in a sacrifice or atonement.

Definition: 1) to cover, purge, make an atonement, make reconciliation 1a) (Piel) 1a1) to cover over, pacify, propitiate 1a2) to cover over, atone for sin, make atonement for 1a3) to cover over, atone for sin and persons by legal rites 1b) (Pual) 1b1) to be covered over 1b2) to be atoned for 1c) (Hithpael) to be covered

Usage: Occurs in 94 OT verses. KJV: appease, make (an atonement, cleanse, disannul, forgive, be merciful, pacify, pardon, purge (away), put off, (make) reconcile(-liation). See also: Genesis 6:14; Leviticus 16:32; Psalms 65:4.

וְ/תָבֹ֨א bôwʼ H935 "Lebo" Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3fs

Definition: A shortened name of Lebo Hamath complined withcha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574) This name means to go in, enter

עָלַ֧יִ/ךְ ʻal H5921 "upon" Prep | Suff

This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.

פִּתְאֹ֛ם pithʼôwm H6597 "suddenly" Adv

This word means happening suddenly or quickly, like an unexpected event. It is used in the Bible to describe surprising things that happen to people like Jacob and Joseph.

Definition: adv 1) suddenly, surprisingly subst 2) suddenness

Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: straightway, sudden(-ly). See also: Numbers 6:9; Proverbs 7:22; Psalms 64:5.

שׁוֹאָ֖ה shôwʼ H7722 "ravage" N-fs

Devastation or destruction, this word describes a place or thing that has been ruined or laid waste, like the desolate land described in Jeremiah 4:23, or the destruction caused by a storm, as in Psalm 107:25.

Definition: ravage

Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: desolate(-ion), destroy, destruction, storm, wasteness. See also: Job 30:3; Proverbs 1:27; Psalms 35:8.

לֹ֥א lôʼ H3808 "not" Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

תֵדָֽעִי yâdaʻ H3045 "to know" V-Qal-Imperf-2fs

The Hebrew word for to know means to ascertain by seeing, and is used in many senses, including to learn, perceive, and recognize, as seen in various KJV translations.

Study Notes — Isaiah 47:11

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Isaiah 47:11 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 47:11
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 47:11
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 47:11
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 47:11
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 47:11
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 47:11
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 47:11
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 47:11
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 47:11
Sermons on Isaiah 47:11

Context — The Humiliation of Babylon

9These 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. 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.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	1 Thessalonians 5:3	While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
2	Revelation 18:9–10	Then the kings of the earth who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her will weep and wail at the sight of the smoke rising from the fire that consumes her. In fear of her torment, they will stand at a distance and cry out: “Woe, woe to the great city, the mighty city of Babylon! For in a single hour your judgment has come.”
3	Daniel 5:25–30	Now this is the inscription that was written: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN. And this is the interpretation of the message: MENE means that God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end. TEKEL means that you have been weighed on the scales and found deficient. PERES means that your kingdom has been divided and given over to the Medes and Persians.” Then Belshazzar gave the command, and they clothed Daniel in purple, placed a gold chain around his neck, and proclaimed him the third highest ruler in the kingdom. That very night Belshazzar king of the Chaldeans was slain,
4	Jeremiah 51:39–42	While they are flushed with heat, I will serve them a feast, and I will make them drunk so that they may revel; then they will fall asleep forever and never wake up, declares the LORD. I will bring them down like lambs to the slaughter, like rams with male goats. How Sheshach has been captured! The praise of all the earth has been seized. What a horror Babylon has become among the nations! The sea has come up over Babylon; she is covered in turbulent waves.
5	Exodus 12:29–30	Now at midnight the LORD struck down every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on his throne, to the firstborn of the prisoner in the dungeon, as well as all the firstborn among the livestock. During the night Pharaoh got up—he and all his officials and all the Egyptians—and there was loud wailing in Egypt; for there was no house without someone dead.
6	Luke 12:59	I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the very last penny. ”
7	Psalms 50:22	Now consider this, you who forget God, lest I tear you to pieces, with no one to rescue you:
8	Nehemiah 4:11	And our enemies said, “Before they know or see a thing, we will come into their midst, kill them, and put an end to the work.”
9	Revelation 3:3	Remember, then, what you have received and heard. Keep it and repent. If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know the hour when I will come upon you.
10	Isaiah 37:36	Then the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies!

Isaiah 47:11 Summary

[Isaiah 47:11 is a warning that disaster will come to those who trust in their own strength and wisdom, rather than in God. This disaster will be unexpected and unavoidable, like a sudden storm, as seen in Matthew 7:24-27. The Bible tells us that we should trust in God's power and provision, rather than our own abilities, as stated in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Psalm 20:7. By trusting in God, we can have peace and security, even in the midst of challenges and difficulties, as seen in Isaiah 26:3 and John 16:33.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the disaster that will come upon the person in Isaiah 47:11?

The disaster in Isaiah 47:11 refers to the judgment of God upon those who trust in their own wisdom and sorceries, as seen in Isaiah 47:10, and is a consequence of their wickedness, as warned in Deuteronomy 28:15-16 and Jeremiah 23:12.

Why will the person not be able to charm the disaster away?

The person will not be able to charm the disaster away because their trust is in their own abilities and sorceries, rather than in God, as stated in Isaiah 47:10, and as a result, they will be unable to ward off the calamity, as seen in Proverbs 21:30.

What is the significance of the disaster happening suddenly and unexpectedly?

The disaster happening suddenly and unexpectedly in Isaiah 47:11 emphasizes the surprise and shock that the person will experience, similar to the sudden fall of Babylon in Isaiah 13:19, and serves as a warning to those who trust in their own strength rather than in God, as seen in 1 Peter 5:7.

How does this verse relate to the overall message of Isaiah?

Isaiah 47:11 is part of a larger message of judgment and warning to those who trust in their own strength and wisdom, rather than in God, as seen in Isaiah 2:11 and Isaiah 5:21, and serves as a call to repentance and trust in the Lord, as stated in Isaiah 30:15 and Jeremiah 29:13.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways that I trust in my own strength and wisdom, rather than in God, and how can I surrender those areas to Him?
How can I balance my desire for control and security with the reality of God's sovereignty, as seen in Isaiah 46:10 and Romans 11:33-36?
What are some areas of my life where I am trying to 'charm away' problems or difficulties, rather than trusting in God's power and provision, as seen in Psalm 37:5 and Philippians 4:13?
How can I cultivate a deeper trust in God's goodness and love, even in the midst of unexpected disasters or challenges, as seen in Romans 8:28 and Psalm 23:4?

Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 47:11

Therefore shall evil come upon thee,.... The evil of punishment, a great calamity; so Nebuchadnezzar foretold, as Abydenus relates (o), that συμφορη, a calamity, should come upon the Babylonians; a

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 47:11

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 47:11

Therefore shall evil come upon thee; or rather, when it shall come: Heb. the morning of it, the day or time of its approach. And they are justly upbraided and derided for this ignorance, because the astrologers, the star-gazers, and the monthly prognosticators, mentioned here, , pretended punctually to foretell the particular time of all future events. And this explication agrees with the history, Babylon being surprised by Cyrus when they were in deep security, as is manifest, both from Scripture, Daniel 5, and from other histories. Desolation shall come upon thee suddenly; or, when thou shalt not know it. Thou shalt not apprehend thy danger till it be too late.

Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 47:11

Isaiah 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.Ver. 11. Therefore shall evil come upon thee.] An evil, "an only evil," both unexpected and inexpiable; such as thou canst neither avoid nor abide.

Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 47:11

(11) Thou shalt not be able to put it off . . .—The words have been variously rendered: (1) of which thou shalt know no dawn, i.e., after the night of calamity; and (2) which thou shalt not be able to charm away. Stress is laid on the destruction being at once unforeseen and irretrievable.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 47:11

Verse 11. Thou shalt not know from whence it riseth - "Thou shalt not know how to deprecate"] שחרה shachrah; so the Chaldee renders it, which is approved by Jarchi on the place; and Michaelis Epim. in Praelect. xix.; see Psalms 78:34. Videtur in fine hujus commatis deese verbum, ut hoc membrum prioribus respondeat. "A word appears to be wanting at the end of this clause to connect it properly with the two preceding. - SECKER. In order to set in a proper light this judicious remark, it is necessary to give the reader an exact verbal translation of the whole verse: - "And evil shall come upon thee, thou shalt not know how to deprecate it; And mischief shall fall upon thee, thou shalt not be able to expiate it; And destruction shall come suddenly upon thee, thou shalt not know" -- What? how to escape, to avoid it, to be delivered from it? perhaps צאת ממנה tseth mimmennah, "they could not go out from it," Jeremiah 11:11. I am persuaded that a phrase is here lost out of the text. But as the ancient versions retain no traces of it, and a wide field lies open to uncertain conjecture, I have not attempted to fill up the chasm, but have in the translation, as others have done before me, palliated and disguised the defect, which I cannot with any assurance pretend to supply. - L.

Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 47:11

11. evil] is the same word as “wickedness” in Isaiah 47:10; the play on the two meanings of the word is intentional. from whence it riseth] The literal rendering is given in R.V. “the dawning thereof.” But the metaphor is unnatural (of calamity), and the parallelism of the next line shews that an inf. must be read. A similar Arabic verb means “to charm”; accordingly most commentators now translate which thou shalt not know (how) to charm away (see R.V. marg.). Some, however, prefer a slight alteration of the text, reading “to buy off” (ωׁ ?ηγδּ for ωׁ ?ηψηּ; cf. the parallelism in Proverbs 6:35). to put off] is literally to expiate, i.e. avert by an offering. “They try to avert evil and procure good, either by purifications, sacrifices, or enchantments.” (Diodorus Siculus, quoted by Lenormant, l.c. p. 12.) which thou shalt not know] The parallelism with the other two lines of the tristich suggests that an inf. should be supplied at the end: which thou shalt not know how to … (so Duhm).

Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 47:11

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

Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 47:11

10, 11. Fancying thyself secure in thy wickedness, thou sayest, None seeth me. Therefore — As a reason for the chastisement about to fall on thee.

Sermons on Isaiah 47:11

	Sermon	Description
	Judgement Seat 1-31-91 - Part 1 by Leonard Ravenhill	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the corruption and violence present in the world today. He criticizes the politicians in Washington for their involvement in financial scand
	Death, and After This, the Judgment by Rolfe Barnard	In this sermon, the preacher reflects on the certainty of death and the judgment that follows. He mentions significant events in recent history, such as the televised funeral servi
	Daniel as a Type of Godly Remnant by Reggie Kelly	Reggie Kelly delves into the critical and timely revelations found in the book of Daniel, emphasizing the importance of understanding prophetic interpretations and the significance
	Twelfth Lesson. ‘Have Faith in God;’ Or, the Secret of Believing Prayer by Andrew Murray	Greek Word Studies delves into the meaning of 'asphales,' which signifies security, safety, and certainty, describing something unshakeable and immovable. This term is used in vari
	The World War and What Followed by Arno Clemens Gaebelein	Arno Clemens Gaebelein preaches about the events leading up to and during World War I, highlighting the divine inspiration behind the pre-written history of world affairs as penned
	Signs of the Coming of Christ by David Wilkerson	David Wilkerson emphasizes the signs of Christ's imminent return amidst the world's turmoil, reminding believers that while many may cry 'peace and safety,' sudden destruction is c
	The Manner in Which the Salvation of the Soul Is to Be Sought by Jonathan Edwards	Jonathan Edwards preaches about the importance of undertaking great endeavors for our own salvation, using Noah's obedience in building the ark as an example. He emphasizes the tho