New International VersionAll the counsel you have received has only worn you out! Let your astrologers come forward, those stargazers who make predictions month by month, let them save you from what is coming upon you.
New Living TranslationAll the advice you receive has made you tired. Where are all your astrologers, those stargazers who make predictions each month? Let them stand up and save you from what the future holds.
English Standard VersionYou are wearied with your many counsels; let them stand forth and save you, those who divide the heavens, who gaze at the stars, who at the new moons make known what shall come upon you.
Berean Standard BibleYou 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.
King James BibleThou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee.
New King James VersionYou are wearied in the multitude of your counsels; Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, And the monthly prognosticators Stand up and save you From what shall come upon you.
New American Standard Bible“You are wearied with your many counsels; Let now the astrologers, Those who prophesy by the stars, Those who predict by the new moons, Stand up and save you from what will come upon you.
NASB 1995“You are wearied with your many counsels; Let now the astrologers, Those who prophesy by the stars, Those who predict by the new moons, Stand up and save you from what will come upon you.
NASB 1977“You are wearied with your many counsels; Let now the astrologers, Those who prophesy by the stars, Those who predict by the new moons, Stand up and save you from what will come upon you.
Legacy Standard BibleYou are wearied with your many counsels; Let now the astrologers, Those who behold visions by the stars, Those who predict by the new moons, Stand up and save you from what will come upon you.
Amplified Bible“You are wearied by your many counsels. Just let the astrologers, The stargazers, Those who predict by the new moons [each month] Stand up and save you from the things that will come upon you [Babylon].
Christian Standard BibleYou are worn out with your many consultations. So let the astrologers stand and save you — those who observe the stars, those who predict monthly what will happen to you.
Holman Christian Standard BibleYou are worn out with your many consultations. So let them stand and save you— the astrologers, who observe the stars, who predict monthly what will happen to you.
American Standard VersionThou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels: let now the astrologers, the star-gazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from the things that shall come upon thee.
Contemporary English VersionYou have worn yourself out, asking for advice from those who study the stars and tell the future month after month. Go ask them how to be saved from what will happen.
English Revised VersionThou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels: let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from the things that shall come upon thee.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationYou are worn out by your many plans. Let your astrologers and your stargazers, who foretell the future month by month, come to you, rise up, and save you.
Good News TranslationYou are powerless in spite of the advice you get. Let your astrologers come forward and save you--those people who study the stars, who map out the zones of the heavens and tell you from month to month what is going to happen to you.
International Standard Versionaccording to your multiple schemes. Let them stand up now— those who conjure the heavens and gaze at the stars, predicting at the new moons— and save you from what is about to happen to them.
NET BibleYou are tired out from listening to so much advice. Let them take their stand--the ones who see omens in the sky, who gaze at the stars, who make monthly predictions--let them rescue you from the disaster that is about to overtake you!
New Heart English BibleYou are wearied in the multitude of your counsels; those who conjure the heavens, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save you from the things that shall come on you.
Webster's Bible TranslationThou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers, the star-gazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleYou 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.
World English BibleYou are wearied in the multitude of your counsels. Now let the astrologers, the stargazers, and the monthly prognosticators stand up and save you from the things that will happen to you. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionYou have been wearied in the multitude of your counsels, "" Now stand up and let them save you—The charmers of the heavens, "" Those looking on the stars, "" Those teaching concerning the months—From those things that come on you!
Young's Literal Translation Thou hast been wearied in the multitude of thy counsels, Stand up, I pray thee, and save thee, Let the charmers of the heavens, Those looking on the stars, Those teaching concerning the months, From those things that come on thee!
Smith's Literal TranslationThou wert wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Shall those searching out the heavens, those looking upon the stars, causing to know concerning the months, now stand and save thee from what shall come upon thee? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThou hast failed in the multitude or thy counsels: let now the astrologers stand and save thee, they that gazed at the stars, and counted the months, that from them they might tell the things that shall come to thee.
Catholic Public Domain VersionYou have failed in the multitude of your plans! Let the seers stand and save you, those who were contemplating the stars, and figuring the months, so that from these they might announce to you the things to come.
New American BibleYou wore yourself out with so many consultations! Let the astrologers stand forth to save you, The stargazers who forecast at each new moon what would happen to you.
New Revised Standard VersionYou are wearied with your many consultations; let those who study the heavens stand up and save you, those who gaze at the stars, and at each new moon predict what shall befall you. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleYou are wearied in the multitude of your thoughts. Let now the Chaldeans stand up and save you, those who gaze into the heavens and at the stars; let them foretell by the moon the things that shall come upon you.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedYou are fatigued in the multitude of your schemes. Let them arise; let the Chaldeans who gaze into Heaven and into the stars save you, and know for yourselves by the moon what comes upon you OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels; Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, The monthly prognosticators, Stand up, and save thee From the things that shall come upon thee.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationThou art wearied in thy counsels. Let now the astrologers of the heaven stand and deliver thee, let them that see the stars tell thee what is about to come upon thee.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Fall of Babylon Predicted… 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 weariedby your manycounselors;let them come forwardnowand save you—your astrologerswho observethe stars,who monthlypredictyour fate.14Surely they are like stubble; the fire will burn them up. They cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame. There will be no coals to warm them or fire to sit beside.…
Cross References Jeremiah 10:2This is what the LORD says: “Do not learn the ways of the nations or be terrified by the signs in the heavens, though the nations themselves are terrified by them.
Daniel 2:27-28Daniel answered the king, “No wise man, enchanter, medium, or magician can explain to the king the mystery of which he inquires. / But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the latter days. Your dream and the visions that came into your mind as you lay on your bed were these:
Ezekiel 21:21For the king of Babylon stands at the fork in the road, at the junction of the two roads, to seek an omen: He shakes the arrows, he consults the idols, he examines the liver.
Deuteronomy 18:10-12Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or conjury, interprets omens, practices sorcery, / casts spells, consults a medium or spiritist, or inquires of the dead. / For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD. And because of these detestable things, the LORD your God is driving out the nations before you.
Acts 8:9-11Prior to that time, a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and astounded the people of Samaria. He claimed to be someone great, / and all the people, from the least to the greatest, heeded his words and said, “This man is the divine power called the Great Power.” / They paid close attention to him because he had astounded them for a long time with his sorcery.
2 Kings 17:16-17They abandoned all the commandments of the LORD their God and made for themselves two cast idols of calves and an Asherah pole. They bowed down to all the host of heaven and served Baal. / They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire and practiced divination and soothsaying. They devoted themselves to doing evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger.
Isaiah 44:25who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who confounds the wise and turns their knowledge into nonsense,
Micah 5:12I will cut the sorceries from your hand, and you will have no fortune-tellers.
Acts 19:19And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books and burned them in front of everyone. When the value of the books was calculated, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas.
2 Chronicles 33:6He sacrificed his sons in the fire in the Valley of Ben-hinnom. He practiced sorcery, divination, and witchcraft, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did great evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger.
Isaiah 8:19When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists who whisper and mutter, shouldn’t a people consult their God instead? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?
Galatians 5:19-21The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; / idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, / and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Nahum 3:4because of the many harlotries of the harlot, the seductive mistress of sorcery, who betrays nations by her prostitution and clans by her witchcraft.
Revelation 18:23The light of a lamp will never shine in you again, and the voices of a bride and bridegroom will never call out in you again. For your merchants were the great ones of the earth, because all the nations were deceived by your sorcery.”
Leviticus 19:26You must not eat anything with blood still in it. You must not practice divination or sorcery.
Treasury of Scripture You are wearied in the multitude of your counsels. Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save you from these things that shall come on you. wearied Isaiah 57:10 Thou art wearied in the greatness of thy way;yet saidst thou not, There is no hope: thou hast found the life of thine hand; therefore thou wast not grieved. Ezekiel 24:12 She hath weariedherself with lies, and her great scum went not forth out of her: her scumshall be in the fire. Habakkuk 2:13 Behold,is it not of the LORD of hosts that the people shall labour in the very fire, and the people shall weary themselves for very vanity? let now Isaiah 44:25 That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wisemen backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish; Daniel 2:2-10 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 5:7,8,15,16,30 The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers.And the king spake, and said to the wisemen of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, andhave a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom… astrologers, the stargazers. Jump to Previous AbleAstrologersBefallCounselCounselsDivideForthForwardGazeGuidesHeavensInterpretersMindMonthlyMoonsMultitudeNewObserversPredictionsProphesyReceivedSalvationSaveStandStarsTroubledWeariedJump to Next AbleAstrologersBefallCounselCounselsDivideForthForwardGazeGuidesHeavensInterpretersMindMonthlyMoonsMultitudeNewObserversPredictionsProphesyReceivedSalvationSaveStandStarsTroubledWeariedIsaiah 47 1.God's judgment upon Babylon and Chaldea6.For their unmercifulness7.Pride10.And over-boldness11.Shall be irresistibleYou are wearied by your many counselors;This phrase highlights the futility and exhaustion that comes from relying on human wisdom and counsel rather than divine guidance. In the context of ancient Babylon, the city was known for its wise men and counselors who were often consulted for guidance. This mirrors the broader biblical theme found in passages like Psalm 1:1, which contrasts the counsel of the wicked with the law of the Lord. The weariness suggests a fruitless pursuit, echoing Ecclesiastes 1:14, where all human endeavors apart from God are described as "vanity." let them come forward now and save you—
This is a challenge to the supposed power of Babylon's counselors and diviners. It underscores the biblical principle that salvation and deliverance come only from God, as seen inIsaiah 43:11, where God declares, "I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior." The rhetorical nature of this challenge highlights the impotence of human efforts in the face of divine judgment. your astrologers who observe the stars,
Astrology was a significant part of Babylonian culture, with astrologers playing a key role in advising the king and interpreting omens. This practice is condemned in the Bible, as seen inDeuteronomy 18:10-12, where divination and astrology are listed among the abominations to the Lord. The reliance on astrology reflects a misplaced trust in creation rather than the Creator, contrasting with the biblical view that God alone controls the heavens (Genesis 1:14-19). who monthly predict your fate.
The reference to monthly predictions indicates the regular and systematic nature of Babylonian astrology. This practice is contrasted with the biblical understanding of prophecy, which is not based on celestial patterns but on the revelation of God's will through His prophets. The futility of these predictions is highlighted inIsaiah 44:25, where God frustrates the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners. This phrase underscores the theme of divine sovereignty over human attempts to control or predict the future. Persons / Places / Events 1. BabylonThe city and empire addressed in this chapter, known for its idolatry and reliance on astrology and divination. 2. Astrologers and DivinersIndividuals in Babylon who practiced astrology and divination, attempting to predict the future by observing celestial bodies. 3. IsaiahThe prophet delivering God's message of judgment against Babylon for its pride and reliance on false wisdom. 4. God's JudgmentThe event of divine retribution against Babylon for its arrogance and idolatry. 5. Heavens and StarsCelestial bodies used by Babylonian astrologers to predict events, representing false sources of wisdom and guidance. Teaching Points The Futility of False WisdomBabylon's reliance on astrologers and diviners is shown to be futile. True wisdom and guidance come from God alone. The Danger of IdolatryTrusting in anything other than God, such as astrology, is a form of idolatry that leads to spiritual weariness and judgment. God's Sovereignty Over CreationThe heavens and stars, created by God, are not to be worshipped or used for divination. God alone controls the future. The Call to RepentanceThe judgment pronounced on Babylon serves as a warning to turn away from false practices and seek God’s mercy and guidance. The Sufficiency of ScriptureBelievers are encouraged to seek wisdom and guidance through Scripture, which is sufficient for understanding God’s will. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Isaiah 47:13?
2.How can we avoid relying on "astrologers" and "stargazers" for guidance today?
3.What does Isaiah 47:13 teach about the limits of human wisdom?
4.How does Isaiah 47:13 connect with Proverbs 3:5-6 on trusting God?
5.In what ways can we seek God's wisdom instead of worldly advice?
6.How can Isaiah 47:13 encourage us to deepen our faith in God's sovereignty?
7.How does Isaiah 47:13 challenge the reliability of ancient wisdom and astrology?
8.What historical context influenced the message of Isaiah 47:13?
9.How does Isaiah 47:13 reflect God's judgment on Babylon's practices?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 47?
11.Isaiah 47:13 – Is there a contradiction with other biblical passages that critique astrology, given the ambiguous stance some prophets take toward signs in the heavens?
12.What is the Bible's stance on astrology?
13.Should Christians seek guidance from horoscopes?
14.What gifts are associated with zodiac signs?What Does Isaiah 47:13 Mean You are wearied by your many counselorsBabylon was drowning in advice from every imaginable court adviser, magician, and diviner. Instead of turning to the Lord, they multiplied voices—yet all those voices only exhausted them. Isaiah pictures a nation worn out by conflicting strategies that lead nowhere (Isaiah 19:3;Proverbs 21:30). The counsel of the Lord alone stands forever (Psalm 33:10-11), but Babylon preferred human schemes, so their strength was sapped.
let them come forward now and save you—God throws down a challenge: “If these counselors are so powerful, let them step up.” It echoes earlier courtroom scenes where the Lord invites false gods to prove themselves (Isaiah 41:21-24; 44:7). Judgment is imminent, and the moment of truth has arrived. Babylon’s trusted experts must either deliver or be exposed—there will be no middle ground (Jeremiah 50:31-32).
your astrologersAstrologers—literally “dividers of the heavens”—served at the king’s side (Daniel 2:2), claiming to decode destiny from celestial movements. Scripture consistently condemns such occult arts as detestable (Deuteronomy 18:10-12;2 Kings 21:6). Their presence in Babylon shows how far the empire relied on darkness rather than the light of God’s word.
who observe the starsThese star-gazers tracked constellations, eclipses, and planetary alignments, believing the heavens controlled earthly affairs. Yet the same stars they worshiped were created and named by the Lord, who calls them out “one by one” (Isaiah 40:26;Job 38:31-33). By trusting the creation instead of the Creator, Babylon violated the first commandment and invited divine wrath (Exodus 20:3-4).
who monthly predict your fateTheir forecasts came with every new moon, promising fresh insight each month. But the God of Israel declared such practices empty (Leviticus 19:26;Jeremiah 10:2-3). While astrologers read calendars and charts, God alone sets times and seasons (Acts 1:7), and in Christ the shadows of lunar observances find fulfillment (Colossians 2:16-17). Babylon’s monthly horoscopes would prove powerless when judgment fell.
summaryIsaiah 47:13 exposes the folly of leaning on occult counsel instead of the Lord. Babylon’s endless advisers, astrologers, and star-readers could not rescue the empire from God’s righteous judgment. The verse reminds us that only the sovereign Creator directs history; all human or demonic substitutes leave us weary, deceived, and defenseless when God calls the world to account. (13) Let now the astrologers . . .--The three words describe two aspects of the same art--(1) the dividers of the heavens,assigning stellar influences to the signs of the Zodiac; (2) the "star-gazers," further defined as those who make known things to come at the new moon.The Assyrian and Chaldaean observers compiled an almanack, in which the days of the month were noted as severally lucky or unlucky for the incidents of war or of home-life, as the case might be. Verse 13. - Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Mr. Cheyne's rendering is more intelligible, "Thou hast wearied thyself with the multitude of thy consultations." Those at the head of affairs had consulted the diviners of all classes, till they were utterly weary of so doing (compare the " consultations" of Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar with such persons, Daniel 2:2-11; Daniel 5:7, 8). Yet let one further effort be made. Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up. These are scarcely three classes of persons, but rather the same class under three designations: "astrologers" (literally, "dividers of the heavens"); "star-gazers," or observers of the stars; and "monthly prognosticators," or almanack-makers. The astronomy of the Babylonians consisted primarily in "dividing the heavens" into "houses," or constellations, and thus mapping them out in such a way that the infinite multiplicity, which at first baffles the beholder, might be grasped, reduced to order, and brought within the sphere of distinct cognizance. This work was an eminently useful one, and maintains its place in astronomy to the present day ('Ancient Monarchies,' vol. 2, p. 573). After the heavens were mapped out, and the courses of the sun and moon through the "houses" laid down, " star-gazers" directed their attention mainly to sun, moon, and planets, noting eclipses, occultations, conjunctions, and the like. All this was legitimate science; but, finally, the greater part of the astronomers launched into astrology, and undertook to prognosticate events from the changing phenomena of the heavens. Almanacks were put forth, in which predictions were made, either specially for a particular year, or generally for all time, based upon astronomical considerations; and on these great dependence was placed. (For a specimen of such an almanack, see 'Records of the Past,' vol. 1. pp. 158-161.)
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew You are weariedנִלְאֵ֖ית(nil·’êṯ)Verb - Nifal - Perfect - second person feminine singular
Strong's 3811:To tire, to be, disgustedfrom your manyבְּרֹ֣ב(bə·rōḇ)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7230:Multitude, abundance, greatnesscounsels.עֲצָתָ֑יִךְ(‘ă·ṣā·ṯā·yiḵ)Noun - feminine plural construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 6098:Advice, plan, prudenceSo let them standיַעַמְדוּ־(ya·‘am·ḏū-)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5975:To stand, in various relationsand save you—וְיוֹשִׁיעֻ֜ךְ(wə·yō·wō·šî·‘uḵ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural | second person feminine singular
Strong's 3467:To be open, wide, free, to be safe, to free, succorthe astrologersהֹבְרֵ֣י(hō·ḇə·rê)Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1895:To be a, horoscopistwho observeהַֽחֹזִים֙(ha·ḥō·zîm)Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 2374:A beholder in vision, a compactthe stars,בַּכּ֣וֹכָבִ֔ים(bak·kō·w·ḵā·ḇîm)Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3556:A star, a princewho monthlyלֶחֳדָשִׁ֔ים(le·ḥo·ḏā·šîm)Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2320:The new moon, a monthpredictמֽוֹדִיעִם֙(mō·w·ḏî·‘im)Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 3045:To knowyour fate.מֵאֲשֶׁ֥ר(mê·’ă·šer)Preposition-m | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834:Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that
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OT Prophets: Isaiah 47:13 You are wearied in the multitude (Isa Isi Is) |
