Isaiah 47:13

"“Stand now with your enchantments and with the multitude of your sorceries, in which you have labored from your youth, as if you might profit, as if you might prevail."

Key Reflection

This verse challenges the astrologers and sorcerers to use their magical skills to save Babylon from impending doom, suggesting that no matter how long they have practiced or how much effort they put into it, their abilities are ultimately futile in the face of divine judgment.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Thou art wearied -Thou hast practiced so many arts, and practiced them so long, that thou art exhausted in them. The ‘counsels’ here referred to, are those which the astrologers and diviners would take in examining the prognostications, and the supposed indications of future events. Let now the astrologers -Call in now the aid of the various classes of diviners on whom thou hast relied to save thee from the impending calamity and ruin. The words rendered here ‘astrologers’ (שׁמיםהבריhoberēyshâmayim) mean properly “the dividers of the heavens;” those who divided, or cut up the heavens for the purpose of augury, or to take a horoscope (Gesenius). What this art was is not certainly known.

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