Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 47:2
This Hebrew word means to take or get something, and it is used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to take a wife, to take possession of something, or to receive a gift. For example, in Genesis 2:22, God takes a rib from Adam to create Eve.
Definition: : take 1) to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to take, take in the hand 1a2) to take and carry along 1a3) to take from, take out of, take, carry away, take away 1a4) to take to or for a person, procure, get, take possession of, select, choose, take in marriage, receive, accept 1a5) to take up or upon, put upon 1a6) to fetch 1a7) to take, lead, conduct 1a8) to take, capture, seize 1a9) to take, carry off 1a10) to take (vengeance) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be captured 1b2) to be taken away, be removed 1b3) to be taken, brought unto 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be taken from or out of 1c2) to be stolen from 1c3) to be taken captive 1c4) to be taken away, be removed 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be taken unto, be brought unto 1d2) to be taken out of 1d3) to be taken away 1e) (Hithpael) 1e1) to take hold of oneself 1e2) to flash about (of lightning)
Usage: Occurs in 909 OT verses. KJV: accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win. See also: Genesis 2:15; Genesis 34:17; Exodus 30:23.
A millstone was a tool used for grinding grain, often in pairs. It is mentioned in the Bible as a common household item, essential for food preparation. The millstone was typically made of stone and used by hand.
Definition: 1) handmills 1a) a pair of millstones for grinding
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: mill (stone). See also: Exodus 11:5; Deuteronomy 24:6; Isaiah 47:2.
To grind or crush something, like grain into flour. This word is used to describe the action of grinding, often done by a concubine or servant.
Definition: (Qal) to grind, crush
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: grind(-er). See also: Exodus 32:20; Job 31:10; Isaiah 3:15.
In the Bible, qemach refers to flour, like the kind used to make bread, as seen in recipes and stories throughout the Old Testament. It is often translated as flour or meal. This word is used in various contexts, including food preparation and rituals.
Definition: flour, meal, meal flour
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: flour, meal. See also: Genesis 18:6; 1 Kings 17:12; Isaiah 47:2.
This Hebrew word means to reveal or uncover something, often in a way that's embarrassing or shameful. It can also mean to exile someone, forcing them to leave their home. In some cases, it's used to describe God revealing himself to people.
Definition: : reveal[information] 1) to uncover, remove 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to uncover 1a2) to remove, depart 1a3) to go into exile 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) (reflexive) 1b1a) to uncover oneself 1b1b) to discover or show oneself 1b1c) to reveal himself (of God) 1b2) (passive) 1b2a) to be uncovered 1b2b) to be disclosed, be discovered 1b2c) to be revealed 1b3) to be removed 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to uncover (nakedness) 1c1a) nakedness 1c1b) general 1c2) to disclose, discover, lay bare 1c3) to make known, show, reveal 1d) (Pual) to be uncovered 1e) (Hiphil) to carry away into exile, take into exile 1f) (Hophal) to be taken into exile 1g) (Hithpael) 1g1) to be uncovered 1g2) to reveal oneself
Usage: Occurs in 167 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] advertise, appear, bewray, bring, (carry, lead, go) captive (into captivity), depart, disclose, discover, exile, be gone, open, [idiom] plainly, publish, remove, reveal, [idiom] shamelessly, shew, [idiom] surely, tell, uncover. See also: Genesis 9:21; Job 38:17; Psalms 18:16.
In Hebrew, this word means a veil or a covering for the head, often worn by women. It's used to describe a way to cover or conceal oneself.
Definition: veil, woman's veil
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: locks. See also: Song of Solomon 4:1; Song of Solomon 6:7; Isaiah 47:2.
To strip means to make something or someone bare, like when God uncovered the sins of Israel in Hosea 7:1.
Definition: 1) to strip, strip off, lay bare, make bare, draw out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to strip off 1a2) to strip, lay bare 1a3) to draw (water), skim, take from the surface
Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: make bare, clean, discover, draw out, take, uncover. See also: Psalms 29:9; Jeremiah 13:26; Isaiah 20:4.
This word describes a lady's long, flowing skirt that trails behind her as she walks. In the Bible, it is sometimes translated as leg, but it specifically refers to the skirt.
Definition: flowing skirt, train
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: leg. See also: Isaiah 47:2.
This Hebrew word means to reveal or uncover something, often in a way that's embarrassing or shameful. It can also mean to exile someone, forcing them to leave their home. In some cases, it's used to describe God revealing himself to people.
Definition: : reveal[information] 1) to uncover, remove 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to uncover 1a2) to remove, depart 1a3) to go into exile 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) (reflexive) 1b1a) to uncover oneself 1b1b) to discover or show oneself 1b1c) to reveal himself (of God) 1b2) (passive) 1b2a) to be uncovered 1b2b) to be disclosed, be discovered 1b2c) to be revealed 1b3) to be removed 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to uncover (nakedness) 1c1a) nakedness 1c1b) general 1c2) to disclose, discover, lay bare 1c3) to make known, show, reveal 1d) (Pual) to be uncovered 1e) (Hiphil) to carry away into exile, take into exile 1f) (Hophal) to be taken into exile 1g) (Hithpael) 1g1) to be uncovered 1g2) to reveal oneself
Usage: Occurs in 167 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] advertise, appear, bewray, bring, (carry, lead, go) captive (into captivity), depart, disclose, discover, exile, be gone, open, [idiom] plainly, publish, remove, reveal, [idiom] shamelessly, shew, [idiom] surely, tell, uncover. See also: Genesis 9:21; Job 38:17; Psalms 18:16.
In the Bible, this word describes the leg or thigh of a person or animal, often in reference to the lower leg or calf. It is sometimes translated as 'hip', 'leg', 'shoulder', or 'thigh'.
Definition: 1) leg, thigh 1a) of man; specifically the lower leg (calf) as opposed to the thigh 1b) of sacrificial animal; specifically the thigh, upper leg, hind leg, as the portion eaten Aramaic equivalent: shaq (שָׁק "leg" H8243)
Usage: Occurs in 19 OT verses. KJV: hip, leg, shoulder, thigh. See also: Exodus 29:22; Leviticus 10:15; Psalms 147:10.
This verb can mean to cross over or transition from one thing to another, and is sometimes used to describe being arrogant or crossing a boundary.
Definition: 1) to pass over or by or through, alienate, bring, carry, do away, take, take away, transgress 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pass over, cross, cross over, pass over, march over, overflow, go over 1a2) to pass beyond 1a3) to pass through, traverse 1a3a) passers-through (participle) 1a3b) to pass through (the parts of victim in covenant) 1a4) to pass along, pass by, overtake and pass, sweep by 1a4a) passer-by (participle) 1a4b) to be past, be over 1a5) to pass on, go on, pass on before, go in advance of, pass along, travel, advance 1a6) to pass away 1a6a) to emigrate, leave (one's territory) 1a6b) to vanish 1a6c) to perish, cease to exist 1a6d) to become invalid, become obsolete (of law, decree) 1a6e) to be alienated, pass into other hands 1b) (Niphal) to be crossed 1c) (Piel) to impregnate, cause to cross 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to pass over, cause to bring over, cause to cross over, make over to, dedicate, devote 1d2) to cause to pass through 1d3) to cause to pass by or beyond or under, let pass by 1d4) to cause to pass away, cause to take away 1e) (Hithpael) to pass over
Usage: Occurs in 493 OT verses. KJV: alienate, alter, [idiom] at all, beyond, bring (over, through), carry over, (over-) come (on, over), conduct (over), convey over, current, deliver, do away, enter, escape, fail, gender, get over, (make) go (away, beyond, by, forth, his way, in, on, over, through), have away (more), lay, meddle, overrun, make partition, (cause to, give, make to, over) pass(-age, along, away, beyond, by, -enger, on, out, over, through), (cause to, make) [phrase] proclaim(-amation), perish, provoke to anger, put away, rage, [phrase] raiser of taxes, remove, send over, set apart, [phrase] shave, cause to (make) sound, [idiom] speedily, [idiom] sweet smelling, take (away), (make to) transgress(-or), translate, turn away, (way-) faring man, be wrath. See also: Genesis 8:1; Deuteronomy 27:2; 1 Samuel 25:19.
In the Bible, a river symbolizes prosperity, like the Nile or Euphrates, and is often used figuratively. It appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing the life-giving waters of the Promised Land. This word is also used to describe underground streams.
Definition: 1) stream, river 1a) stream, river 1b) (underground) streams Aramaic equivalent: ne.har (נְהַר "river" H5103H)
Usage: Occurs in 108 OT verses. KJV: flood, river. See also: Genesis 2:10; Psalms 93:3; Psalms 24:2.
Context — The Humiliation of Babylon
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) |
| 1 |
Isaiah 20:4 |
so the king of Assyria will lead away the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Cush, young and old alike, naked and barefoot, with bared buttocks—to Egypt’s shame. |
| 2 |
Matthew 24:41 |
Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. |
| 3 |
Exodus 11:5 |
and every firstborn son in the land of Egypt will die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, to the firstborn of the servant girl behind the hand mill, as well as the firstborn of all the cattle. |
| 4 |
Judges 16:21 |
Then the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, where he was bound with bronze shackles and forced to grind grain in the prison. |
| 5 |
Luke 17:35 |
Two women will be grinding grain together: One will be taken and the other left.” |
| 6 |
Genesis 24:65 |
and asked the servant, “Who is that man in the field coming to meet us?” “It is my master,” the servant answered. So she took her veil and covered herself. |
| 7 |
Hosea 2:3 |
Otherwise, I will strip her naked and expose her like the day of her birth. I will make her like a desert and turn her into a parched land, and I will let her die of thirst. |
| 8 |
Nahum 3:5–6 |
“Behold, I am against you,” declares the LORD of Hosts. “I will lift your skirts over your face. I will show your nakedness to the nations and your shame to the kingdoms. I will pelt you with filth and treat you with contempt; I will make a spectacle of you. |
| 9 |
Ezekiel 16:37–39 |
therefore I will surely gather all the lovers with whom you found pleasure, all those you loved and all those you hated. I will gather them against you from all around and expose you before them, and they will see you completely naked. And I will sentence you to the punishment of women who commit adultery and those who shed blood; so I will bring upon you the wrath of your bloodshed and jealousy. Then I will deliver you into the hands of your lovers, and they will level your mounds and tear down your lofty shrines. They will strip off your clothes, take your fine jewelry, and leave you naked and bare. |
| 10 |
Job 31:10 |
then may my own wife grind grain for another, and may other men sleep with her. |
Isaiah 47:2 Summary
In Isaiah 47:2, God is calling the Daughter of Babylon to humble herself and give up her pride and luxury. He tells her to grind flour with millstones, which is hard work, and to remove her veil and skirt, which is a symbol of losing her dignity. This is because God is judging Babylon for its sin and pride, as seen in Isaiah 47:1 and Isaiah 47:4. Just like the Babylonians, we can learn to humble ourselves and trust in God's sovereignty, rather than relying on our own strength and pride (Proverbs 3:34, 1 Peter 5:6).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of grinding flour with millstones in Isaiah 47:2?
Grinding flour with millstones was a humble and laborious task, symbolizing the Babylonians' fall from power and luxury to a life of hard work and servitude, as also seen in Isaiah 49:23 where the once-proud nation would lick the dust of the feet of the servants of God.
Why is the Daughter of Babylon being asked to remove her veil and strip off her skirt?
The removal of the veil and skirt is a symbol of the loss of dignity and modesty, as the Babylonians would be exposed and humiliated, much like the shame and exposure prophesied in Jeremiah 13:26, where God would pull up the skirts of Jerusalem over her face.
What does it mean to 'bare your thigh and wade through the streams'?
Baring the thigh and wading through streams is an act of humiliation and shame, emphasizing the Babylonians' complete loss of power and dignity, much like the prophesied downfall of other nations in Ezekiel 16:37, where God would expose the nakedness of those who had once been proud.
How does this verse relate to the overall message of Isaiah 47?
This verse is part of a larger prophecy against Babylon, emphasizing God's judgment on the nation for its pride and idolatry, as seen in Isaiah 47:1 and Isaiah 47:4, where God declares His sovereignty and redemption of His people.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I, like the Daughter of Babylon, may be clinging to pride or luxury, and how can I humble myself before God?
- In what ways can I, like the servants of God in Isaiah 49:23, demonstrate humility and a willingness to serve others?
- How can I balance the need for dignity and modesty with the call to humility and service, as seen in this verse and in Philippians 2:3-4?
- What are some areas in my life where I may be trying to hide behind a 'veil' of pride or pretension, and how can I be more transparent and honest with God and others?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 47:2
Take the millstones, and grind meal,.... Foretelling that the Chaldeans should be taken captives, and used as such, and sent to prison houses, where they should turn the mill, and grind corn into
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 47:2
Take the millstones, and grind meal: uncover thy locks, make bare the leg, uncover the thigh, pass over the rivers.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 47:2
Take the millstones; betake thyself to the millstones; as we commonly say, Take thy bed, or, Betake thyself to thy bed. The meaning is, Thou shalt be brought down to the basest kind of slavery, which grinding at the mill was esteemed; of which see on . For this work was not performed by horses, as now it is, but by the labour of slaves and captives. Grind meal; grind bread corn into meal for thy master’ s use. Such metonymical expressions we find , and elsewhere. Uncover thy locks; or, thine hair. Take off the ornaments wherewith such women as were free and of good quality used to cover and dress their heads. This and the following passages, though delivered in the form of a command, are only predictions of what they should be forced to do or suffer, as appears from the next verse. Make bare the leg, uncover the thigh; gird up thy garments close and short about thee, that thou mayst be fit for service, and for travelling on foot, and, as it follows, for passing over those rivers, through which thou wilt be constrained to wade, in the way to the land of thy captivity.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 47:2
Isaiah 47:2 Take the millstones, and grind meal: uncover thy locks, make bare the leg, uncover the thigh, pass over the rivers.Ver. 2. Take the millstone.] As the most abject slaves used to do, qui in pistrinum trudebantur. Neither is this an end of thy sorrows; for out of the mill house thou must be carried captive into a far country, and therefore, in order thereunto, Uncover thy locks.] Cast away thy diadem. Make bare thy leg.] Denuda turpitudinem, the Vulgate rendereth it; that thou mayest pass through the waters naked and squalid into captivity.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 47:2
(2) Take the millstones.—Always the most servile form of female labour (Exodus 11:5; Job 31:10; Matthew 24:41). Uncover thy locks.—The picture of suffering is heightened by the fact that the female slave has to wade unveiled, and bare-legged, all sense of shame outraged, to the scene of her labours. The picture is, of course, to be taken symbolically, not literally.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 47:2
Verse 2. Take the millstones, and grind meal - "Take the mill, and grind corn"] It was the work of slaves to grind the corn. They used hand-mills: water-mills were not invented till a little before the time of Augustus, (see the Greek epigram of Antipater, which seems to celebrate it as a new invention, Anthol. Cephalae, 653;) wind-mills, not until long after. It was not only the work of slaves, but the hardest work; and often inflicted upon them as a severe punishment: - Molendum in pistrino; vapulandum; habendae compedes. TERENT. Phorm. ii. 1. 19. Hominem pistrino dignum. Id. Heaut. iii. 2. 19.
To grind in the mill, to be scourged, to be put in the stocks, were punishments for slaves. Hence a delinquent was said to be a man worthy of the mill. The tread-mill, now in use in England, is a revival of this ancient usage. But in the east grinding was the work of the female slaves. See Exodus 11:5; Exodus 12:29, (in the version of the Septuagint; Matthew 24:41; Homer, Odyss. xx. 105-108. And it is the same to this day. "Women alone are employed to grind their corn;" Shaw's Algiers and Tunis, p. 287. "They are the female slaves, that are generally employed in the east at those hand-mills for grinding corn; it is extremely laborious, and esteemed the lowest employment in the house;" Sir J. Chardin, Harmer's Observ. i., p. 153. The words denote that state of captivity to which the Babylonians should be reduced.
Make bare the leg, uncover the thigh] This is repeatedly seen in Bengal, where there are few bridges, and both sexes, having neither shoes nor stockings, truss up their loose garments, and walk across, where the waters are not deep. In the deeper water they are obliged to truss very high, to which there seems a reference in the third verse: Thy nakedness shall be uncovered.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 47:2
2. Take the millstones &c.] The luxurious lady must betake herself to the occupation of the meanest female slaves in the household: Exodus 11:5; Job 31:10. uncover thy locks] Rather: take off thy veil (Son 4:1; Son 4:3; Son 6:7). make bare the leg] remove the skirt. The last word does not occur elsewhere. pass over the rivers] Render: pass through streams, omitting the article. The words are commonly taken to describe the hardships of a journey into exile, but they may simply refer to the degradations which she would have to undergo in performing the drudgery of a common slave (so Dillmann).
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 47:2
Take the millstones, and grind meal - The design of this is plain.
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 47:2
2. Grind meal — The figure here is that of servitude, with all the conditions of that state; the highest in rank, equally with the lowest, set to the meanest employments. Uncover thy locks — Rather, (Hebrews,) thy veil.
Sermons on Isaiah 47:2
| Sermon | Description |
|
Giant Ungainted
by J. Glyn Owen
|
In this sermon, the focus is on the life of Samson, a judge in ancient Israel. The passage being discussed is about Samson being captured by the Philistines, who gouged out his eye |
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Where Is the Secret
by Leonard Ravenhill
|
In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Samson and the power he possessed as a Nazirite. The preacher emphasizes that Samson's strength did not come from his physical a |
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The Presence of the Lord With His People, and Its Effect
by J.B. Stoney
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J.B. Stoney preaches about the presence of the Lord with His people, emphasizing that His presence is often revealed through the exposure of hidden sins and the purification of His |
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Judges 16:21
by Chuck Smith
|
Chuck Smith discusses the tragic consequences of sin as illustrated in the life of Samson, emphasizing how sin blinds individuals to their true state, binds them in chains, and lea |
|
Matthew 15:14
by Chuck Smith
|
Chuck Smith discusses the theme of misguided men, emphasizing how many are led astray by false precepts, false prophets, their own lusts, and the lies of Satan. He illustrates thes |
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Christ and His Harlot Church
by David Wilkerson
|
In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the book of Hosea and the theme of Christ and His Harlot Church. He calls out to backsliders and those who have grown cold towards the Lord, |