Burn the Witch! A Comparison between the Portrayal of Sorceress Babylon in Isaiah 47 and the Figure of the Witch in Maqlû

Abstract In chapter 47 of the Book Isaiah fall Babylon is described in metaphorical language: arrogant queen condemned for having practiced witchcraft since her youth. The evil which she inflicted on victims will befall herself, and downfall be swift without warning. Her dire fate follows that fellow sorcerers, who have perished fire flames. This article compares portrayal demise Isa with Mesopotamian anti-witchcraft series Maqlû discusses shared terminology striking similarity themes, such as indictment witch, gender-stereotype, reversal fate, condemnation to death by burning. thematic, sometimes lexical, overlap may indicate Deutero-Isaiah incorporated ideas about (counter-)witchcraft his own composition, being exposed local magico-religious thought whilst maintaining a critical stance towards it.