Isaiah 47:9
New International Version
Both of these will overtake you in a moment, on a single day: loss of children and widowhood. They will come upon you in full measure, in spite of your many sorceries and all your potent spells.

New Living Translation
Well, both these things will come upon you in a moment: widowhood and the loss of your children. Yes, these calamities will come upon you, despite all your witchcraft and magic.

English Standard Version
These two things shall come to you in a moment, in one day; the loss of children and widowhood shall come upon you in full measure, in spite of your many sorceries and the great power of your enchantments.

Berean Standard Bible
These 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.

King James Bible
But these two things shall come to thee in a moment in one day, the loss of children, and widowhood: they shall come upon thee in their perfection for the multitude of thy sorceries, and for the great abundance of thine enchantments.

New King James Version
But these two things shall come to you In a moment, in one day: The loss of children, and widowhood. They shall come upon you in their fullness Because of the multitude of your sorceries, For the great abundance of your enchantments.

New American Standard Bible
“But these two things will come on you suddenly in one day: Loss of children and widowhood. They will come on you in full measure In spite of your many sorceries, In spite of the great power of your spells.

NASB 1995
“But these two things will come on you suddenly in one day: Loss of children and widowhood. They will come on you in full measure In spite of your many sorceries, In spite of the great power of your spells.

NASB 1977
“But these two things shall come on you suddenly in one day: Loss of children and widowhood. They shall come on you in full measure In spite of your many sorceries, In spite of the great power of your spells.

Legacy Standard Bible
But these two things will come on you suddenly in one day: Loss of children and widowhood. They will come on you in full measure In spite of your many sorceries, In spite of the great might of your spells.

Amplified Bible
“But these two things shall come to you abruptly, in one day: Loss of children and widowhood. They will come on you in full measure In spite of your many [claims of power through your] sorceries, In spite of the great power of your enchantments.

Christian Standard Bible
These two things will happen to you suddenly, in one day: loss of children and widowhood. They will happen to you in their entirety, in spite of your many sorceries and the potency of your spells.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
These two things will happen to you suddenly, in one day: loss of children and widowhood. They will happen to you in their entirety, in spite of your many sorceries and the potency of your spells.

American Standard Version
but these two things shall come to thee in a moment in one day, the loss of children, and widowhood; in their full measure shall they come upon thee, in the multitude of thy sorceries, and the great abundance of thine enchantments.

Contemporary English Version
Your magic powers and charms will suddenly fail, then you will be a widow and lose your children.

English Revised Version
but these two things shall come to thee in a moment in one day, the loss of children, and widowhood: in their full measure shall they come upon thee, despite of the multitude of thy sorceries, and the great abundance of thine enchantments.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
In one day both of these will happen to you instantly: the loss of your children and your husband. All this will happen to you in spite of your evil magic and your many spells.

Good News Translation
But in a moment, in a single day, both of these things will happen. In spite of all the magic you use, you will lose your husband and children.

International Standard Version
Both of these things will overtake you suddenly on a single day: loss of children and widowhood. They will come upon you in full measure, despite the multitude of your incantations and the great power of your spells."

Majority Standard Bible
These 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.

NET Bible
Both of these will come upon you suddenly, in one day! You will lose your children and be widowed. You will be overwhelmed by these tragedies, despite your many incantations and your numerous amulets.

New Heart English Bible
but these two things shall come to you in a moment in one day, the loss of children, and widowhood; in their full measure shall they come on you, in spite of your many sorceries and the potency of your spells.

Webster's Bible Translation
But these two things shall come to thee in a moment in one day, the loss of children, and widowhood: they shall come upon thee in their perfection, for the multitude of thy sorceries, and for the great abundance of thy enchantments.

World English Bible
But these two things will come to you in a moment in one day: the loss of children and widowhood. They will come on you in their full measure, in the multitude of your sorceries, and the great abundance of your enchantments.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And these two things come to you, "" In a moment, in one day: childlessness and widowhood, "" They have come on you according to their perfection, "" In the multitude of your sorceries, "" In the exceeding might of your charms.

Young's Literal Translation
And come in to thee do these two things, In a moment, in one day, childlessness and widowhood, According to their perfection they have come upon thee, In the multitude of thy sorceries, In the exceeding might of thy charms.

Smith's Literal Translation
And these two shall come to thee suddenly, in one day, bereavement and widowhood: as finished they came upon thee, in the multitude of thy sorceries, and in the great numbers of thy enchantments.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
These two things shall come upon thee suddenly in one day, barrenness and widowhood. All things are come upon thee, because of the multitude of thy sorceries, and for the great hardness of thy enchanters.

Catholic Public Domain Version
These two things will suddenly overwhelm you in one day: barrenness and widowhood. All things shall overwhelm you, because of the multitude of your sorceries and because of the great cruelty of your enchantments.

New American Bible
Both these things shall come to you suddenly, in a single day: Complete bereavement and widowhood shall come upon you Despite your many sorceries and the full power of your spells;

New Revised Standard Version
both these things shall come upon you in a moment, in one day: the loss of children and widowhood shall come upon you in full measure, in spite of your many sorceries and the great power of your enchantments.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But these two plagues shall come upon you in a moment, in one day: the loss of children and widowhood; they shall come upon you suddenly, for the multitude of your sorceries, and for the multitude of your magicians.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
These two plagues will come upon you in one day: bereavement and widowhood suddenly will come upon you in the multitude of your sorceries and in the abundance of your Magicians
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But these two things shall come to thee in a moment In one day, the loss of children, and widow-hood; In their full measure shall they come upon thee, For the multitude of thy sorceries, And the great abundance of thine enchantments.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But now these two things shall come upon thee suddenly in one day, the loss of children and widowhood shall come suddenly upon thee, for thy sorcery, for the strength of thine enchantments,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Fall of Babylon Predicted
8So now hear this, O lover of luxury who sits securely, who says to herself, ‘I am, and there is none besides me. I will never be a widow or know the loss of children.’ 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.’…

Cross References
Revelation 18:7-8
As much as she has glorified herself and lived in luxury, give her the same measure of torment and grief. In her heart she says, ‘I sit as queen; I am not a widow and will never see grief.’ / Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and grief and famine—and she will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.”

Nahum 3:4-5
because of the many harlotries of the harlot, the seductive mistress of sorcery, who betrays nations by her prostitution and clans by her witchcraft. / “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.

Zephaniah 2:15
This carefree city that dwells securely, that thinks to herself: “I am it, and there is none besides me,” what a ruin she has become, a resting place for beasts. Everyone who passes by her hisses and shakes his fist.

Jeremiah 50:31-32
“Behold, I am against you, O arrogant one,” declares the Lord GOD of Hosts, “for your day has come, the time when I will punish you. / The arrogant one will stumble and fall with no one to pick him up. And I will kindle a fire in his cities to consume all those around him.”

Jeremiah 51:8-9
Suddenly Babylon has fallen and been shattered. Wail for her; get her balm for her pain; perhaps she can be healed. / “We tried to heal Babylon, but she could not be healed. Abandon her! Let each of us go to his own land, for her judgment extends to the sky and reaches to the clouds.”

Revelation 18:10
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.”

Revelation 18:17-19
For in a single hour such fabulous wealth has been destroyed!” Every shipmaster, passenger, and sailor, and all who make their living from the sea, will stand at a distance / and cry out at the sight of the smoke rising from the fire that consumes her. “What city was ever like this great city?” they will exclaim. / Then they will throw dust on their heads as they weep and mourn and cry out: “Woe, woe to the great city, where all who had ships on the sea were enriched by her wealth! For in a single hour she has been destroyed.”

Isaiah 13:19-22
And Babylon, the jewel of the kingdoms, the glory of the pride of the Chaldeans, will be overthrown by God like Sodom and Gomorrah. / She will never be inhabited or settled from generation to generation; no nomad will pitch his tent there, no shepherd will rest his flock there. / But desert creatures will lie down there, and howling creatures will fill her houses. Ostriches will dwell there, and wild goats will leap about. ...

Ezekiel 26:16-18
All the princes of the sea will descend from their thrones, remove their robes, and strip off their embroidered garments. Clothed with terror, they will sit on the ground, trembling every moment, appalled over you. / Then they will lament for you, saying, “How you have perished, O city of renown inhabited by seafaring men—she who was powerful on the sea, along with her people, who imposed terror on all peoples! / Now the coastlands tremble on the day of your downfall; the islands in the sea are dismayed by your demise.”’

Ezekiel 28:17-19
Your heart grew proud of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor; so I cast you to the earth; I made you a spectacle before kings. / By the multitude of your iniquities and the dishonesty of your trading you have profaned your sanctuaries. So I made fire come from within you, and it consumed you. I reduced you to ashes on the ground in the eyes of all who saw you. / All the nations who know you are appalled over you. You have come to a horrible end and will be no more.’”

Isaiah 21:9
Look, here come the riders, horsemen in pairs.” And one answered, saying: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon! All the images of her gods lie shattered on the ground!”

Jeremiah 51:37
Babylon will become a heap of rubble, a haunt for jackals, an object of horror and scorn, without inhabitant.

Revelation 17:5
And on her forehead a mysterious name was written: BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

Revelation 14:8
Then a second angel followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, who has made all the nations drink the wine of the passion of her immorality.”

Isaiah 14:22-23
“I will rise up against them,” declares the LORD of Hosts. “I will cut off from Babylon her name and her remnant, her offspring and her posterity,” declares the LORD. / “I will make her a place for owls and for swamplands; I will sweep her away with the broom of destruction,” declares the LORD of Hosts.


Treasury of Scripture

But these two things shall come to you in a moment in one day, the loss of children, and widowhood: they shall come on you in their perfection for the multitude of your sorceries, and for the great abundance of your enchantments.

these two

Isaiah 51:18,19
There is none to guide her among all the sons whom she hath brought forth; neither is there any that taketh her by the hand of all the sons that she hath brought up…

Ruth 1:5,20
And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband…

Luke 7:12,13
Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her…

in a moment

Isaiah 13:19
And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.

Psalm 73:19
How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.

1 Thessalonians 5:3
For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

they shall come

Isaiah 13:20-22
It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there…

Isaiah 14:22,23
For I will rise up against them, saith the LORD of hosts, and cut off from Babylon the name, and remnant, and son, and nephew, saith the LORD…

Jeremiah 51:29,62-64
And the land shall tremble and sorrow: for every purpose of the LORD shall be performed against Babylon, to make the land of Babylon a desolation without an inhabitant…

for the multitude

Isaiah 47:12,13
Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast laboured from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail…

Daniel 2:2
Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to shew the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king.

Daniel 4:7
Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers: and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof.

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Isaiah 47
1. God's judgment upon Babylon and Chaldea
6. For their unmercifulness
7. Pride
10. And over-boldness
11. Shall be irresistible














These two things
The phrase "these two things" refers to the calamities that will befall Babylon. In the context of ancient Near Eastern culture, the loss of children and widowhood were seen as devastating misfortunes. The Hebrew word for "things" (דְּבָרִים, devarim) often implies matters of significant consequence, underscoring the severity of the impending judgment.

will overtake you
The verb "overtake" (בּוֹא, bo) in Hebrew conveys the idea of something arriving or coming upon someone suddenly and unexpectedly. This emphasizes the swiftness and inevitability of the judgment that Babylon will face, highlighting the certainty of God's prophetic word.

in a moment, in a single day
The expression "in a moment, in a single day" underscores the suddenness and completeness of the disaster. The Hebrew word for "moment" (רֶגַע, rega) suggests a brief, fleeting period, while "single day" (יוֹם אֶחָד, yom echad) emphasizes the rapidity with which these events will unfold. This serves as a stark reminder of the power and decisiveness of God's judgment.

loss of children and widowhood
These terms represent profound personal and societal loss. In ancient cultures, children were seen as a blessing and a source of security, while widowhood was a state of vulnerability and grief. The Hebrew words for "loss of children" (שְׁכוֹל, shekol) and "widowhood" (אַלְמָנוּת, almanut) convey deep sorrow and desolation, illustrating the totality of Babylon's impending downfall.

They will come upon you in full measure
The phrase "in full measure" (בְּתֻמָּם, betummam) indicates the completeness and thoroughness of the judgment. The use of this phrase suggests that the punishment will be exact and comprehensive, leaving no aspect of Babylon's pride and power untouched.

in spite of your many sorceries
The term "sorceries" (כְּשָׁפִים, keshafim) refers to the practices of magic and witchcraft that were prevalent in Babylon. Despite their reliance on these occult practices, they will be powerless to prevent the divine judgment. This highlights the futility of trusting in anything other than God.

and the potency of your spells
The word "potency" (עָצְמָה, otzmah) suggests strength or power, while "spells" (חֲבָרִים, chabarim) refers to incantations or magical rites. Despite the perceived strength of these practices, they will be ineffective against the sovereign will of God. This serves as a reminder of the ultimate authority and power of God over all human endeavors and spiritual forces.

(9) In their perfection.--Better, in their completeness. She should taste the full bitterness of widowhood and bereavement.

For the multitude of thy sorceries.--Better, in spite of . . .

Verse 9. - In a moment in one day. The day of the capture of the city by Cyrus, which was the third of Marchesvan, B.C. 539. Then, "in a moment," Babylon lost the whole of her prestige, ceased to reign, ceased to be an independent power, became a "widow," had a portion of her population turn from her, was brought down to the dust. Loss of children, and widowhood came upon her in their perfection; i.e. "in the full extent of their bitterness" (Cheyne). Not that Cyrus imitated her common practice by carrying off her entire population; on the contrary, she continued for more than two centuries to be a flourishing and populous town. Twice she revolted from Darius Hystaspis ('Beh. Ins.,' col. 1. par. 16; col 3, par. 13), once, perhaps, from Xerxes (Ctes., 'Ext. Pers,' § 22). Alexander the Great found her walls and her great buildings in ruins, but still she was a considerable place. Cyrus, however, no doubt, carried off a portion of her population, which thenceforth begun to dwindle, and continually became less and less as time went on, until she sank into a solitude. That extreme desolation which the prophets paint in such vivid colours (Isaiah 12:19-22; 14:22, 23; Jeremiah 50:10:15, 38-40; 2:36-43) was potentially contained in the capture by Cyrus, which was the work of a single day. For the multitude of thy sorceries... of thine enchantments (comp. ver. 13; and see also Daniel 2:2; Daniel 5:7). The word here translated "sorceries" probably means "incantations" or "enchantments," while that translated "enchantments" means "spells." The addiction of the Babylonians to marc is largely attested by the classical writers, and has been proved beyond a doubt by the lately discovered native remains. By these it appears that their magic fell under three principal heads:

(1) the preparation and use of spells and talismans, which were written forms engraved on stone or impressed on clay, and worn on the person or attached to the object on which their influence was to be exerted;

(2) the composition and recitation of formulae of incantation, which were supposed to act as charms, and to drive away demons and diseases; and

(3) the taking of observations and framing of tables of prognostics and of omens for general use, together with the casting of horoscopes for the special advantage of individuals (see Rawlinson's 'Egypt and Babylon,' p. 58; and comp. Lenor, mant,'La Magic chez les Chaldaens,' and Professor Sayce's papers in the 'Transactions of the Society of Bibl. Archaeol.,' vol. 3:p. 145, et seqq.; vol. 4:p. 302, et seqq.). The first and second forms of marc are glanced at in the present passage; the third is noticed in ver. 13.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
These
אֵ֥לֶּה (’êl·leh)
Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

two [things]
שְׁתֵּי־ (šə·tê-)
Number - fdc
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

will overtake you
וְתָבֹאנָה֩ (wə·ṯā·ḇō·nāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person feminine plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

in a moment,
רֶ֛גַע (re·ḡa‘)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7281: A wink, a very short space of time

in a single
אֶחָ֖ד (’e·ḥāḏ)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

day:
בְּי֥וֹם (bə·yō·wm)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

loss of children,
שְׁכ֣וֹל (šə·ḵō·wl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7908: Bereavement, loss of children

and widowhood.
וְאַלְמֹ֑ן (wə·’al·mōn)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 489: Bereavement

They will come
בָּ֣אוּ (bā·’ū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

upon you
עָלַ֔יִךְ (‘ā·la·yiḵ)
Preposition | second person feminine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

in full measure,
כְּתֻמָּם֙ (kə·ṯum·mām)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 8537: Completeness, integrity, also part of the high priest's breastplate

in spite of your many
בְּרֹ֣ב (bə·rōḇ)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7230: Multitude, abundance, greatness

sorceries
כְּשָׁפַ֔יִךְ (kə·šā·p̄a·yiḵ)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 3785: Sorcery

and the potency
בְּעָצְמַ֥ת (bə·‘ā·ṣə·maṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 6109: Powerfulness, numerousness

of your spells.
חֲבָרַ֖יִךְ (ḥă·ḇā·ra·yiḵ)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 2267: Company, association, spell


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 47:9 But these two things shall come (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 47:8
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