Isaiah 52
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
This chapter was added after Jeremiah's time probably by Ezra, after the return from the captivity, of which it gives a short account, nearly the same as in Kg2 24:18-20, and Kg2 24:18-20. It is very properly subjoined to the preceding prophecies, in order to show how exactly they were fulfilled. It likewise forms a proper introduction to the following Lamentations, as it gives an account of the mournful events which gave rise to them. Zedekiah's evil reign and rebellion against Nebuchadnezzar, Jer 52:1-3. Jerusalem is taken by the Chaldeans after a siege of eighteen months, Jer 52:4-7. Zedekiah pursued and taken in the plains of Jericho, and his whole army dispersed, Jer 52:8, Jer 52:9. The king's sons and all the princes of Judah slain in Riblah, Jer 52:10. Zedekiah has his eyes put out by order of the Chaldean monarch; and is afterward bound in chains, carried to Babylon, and imprisoned for life, Jer 52:11. Nebuzar-adan, the captain of the guard, burns and spoils the city and temple, Jer 52:12-19. The two pillars of the temple, with their dimensions and ornaments, Jer 52:20-23. The officers of the temple, and several others, carried away captives into Babylon, and then slain by order of Nebuchadnezzar, Jer 52:24-27. The number of Jews that Nebuchadnezzar carried away captive in the seventh year of his reign, Jer 52:28; in his eighteenth year, Jer 52:29; and in his twenty-third year, Jer 52:30. Evil-merodach, the son of Nebuchadnezzar, in the year of his accession to the throne of Babylon, (which was in the thirty-seventh year of the captivity, and the one hundred and ninety-first from the building of Rome, according to the computation of Varro), orders Jehoiachin to be taken out of prison, and treats him kindly for the remainder of his life, Jer 52:31-34.
Open source ↗FIRST THROUGH THIRTEEN VERSES CONNECTED WITH FIFTY-FIRST CHAPTER. (Isa. 52:1-15) strength--as thy adornment; answering to "beautiful garments" in the parallel clause. Arouse thyself from dejection and assume confidence. the holy city-- (Neh 11:1; Rev 21:2). no more . . . unclean-- (Isa 35:8; Isa 60:21; Joe 3:17; Rev 21:27). A prophecy never yet fulfilled. uncircumcised--spiritually (Eze 44:9; Act 7:51).
Open source ↗Awake, awake, put on thy strength, O Zion,.... Aben Ezra says, all interpreters agree that this prophecy is yet to be fulfilled, and so it is: by Zion is meant the church in Gospel times, in the latter day glory, which is called upon to awake out of sleep; and this repeated to show what a deep sleep had fallen on her, the danger she was in through it, and the vehemency of the speaker, or the great concern the Lord had for her; and this is the very state and case of the church of Christ now, and the prophecy respects our times, and what follow. There is a general carnal security, and spiritual drowsiness, which has seized the people of God; a non-exercise of grace among them, at least it is not a lively one; a sluggishness to and in duty; a contentment in the external performance of it; an indifference about the cause of Christ, and power of religion; and an unconcernedness about the truths and ordinances of the Gospel, the discipline of Christ's house, and the honour of it; which the enemy takes the advantage of, and sows his tares of false doctrine and worship; wherefore it is high time to "awake" out of sleep, and to "put on strength", or "clothe" (e) with it, and do the Lord's will, and work and oppose the enemy. Saints are weak in themselves, but they have strength in Christ, and on him should they wait, to him should they look, and on him should they exercise faith for it; they should put on the whole armour of God, clothe themselves with it, resume courage, pluck up a good heart and spirit, and not fear any difficulties, dangers, and enemies. Put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city; another name for the Gospel church, see Heb 12:22, and which is called "the holy city"; referring to the times in the latter day, when holiness shall more appear and…
Open source ↗The same call, which was addressed in Isa 51:9 to the arm of Jehovah that was then represented as sleeping, is here addressed to Jerusalem, which is represented as a sleeping woman. "Awake, awake; clothe thyself in thy might, O Zion; clothe thyself in thy state dresses, O Jerusalem, thou holy city: for henceforth there will no more enter into thee one uncircumcised and unclean! Shake thyself from the dust; arise, sit down, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from the chains of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion!" Jerusalem is lying upon the ground stupefied with the wrath of God, and exhausted with grief; but this shameful prostration and degradation will now come to an end. She is to rise up and put on her might, which has long been broken down, and apparently has altogether disappeared, but which can and must be constantly renewed, because it rests upon the foundation of an inviolable promise. She is to wake up and recover her ancient power, and put on her state robes, i.e., her priestly and royal ornaments, which belong to her as a "royal city," i.e., as the city of Jehovah had His anointed one. For henceforth she will be what she was always intended to be, and that without any further desecration. Heathen, uncircumcised, and those who were unclean in heart and flesh (Eze 44:9), had entered her by force, and desecrated her: heathen, who had no right to enter the congregation of Jehovah as they were (Lam 1:10). But she should no longer be defiled, not to say conquered, by such invaders as these (Joe 3:17; Nah 2:1; compare Joe 3:7 with Nah 2:1). On the construction non perget intrabit = intrare, see Ges. 142, 3, c. In Isa 52:2 the idea of the city falls into the background, and that of the nation takes its place. ירולשׁם שׁבי does not mean "captive people of Jerusalem," howev…
Open source ↗Here, I. God's people are stirred up to appear vigorous for their own deliverance, Isa 52:1, Isa 52:2. They had desired that God would awake and put on his strength, Isa 51:9. Here he calls upon them to awake and put on their strength, to bestir themselves; let them awake from their despondency, and pluck up their spirits, encourage themselves and one another with the hope that all will be well yet, and no longer succumb and sink under their burden. Let them awake from their distrust, look above them, look about them, look into the promises, look into the providences of God that were working for them, and let them raise their expectations of great things from God. Let them awake from their dullness, sluggishness, and incogitancy, and raise up their endeavours, not to take any irregular courses for their own relief, contrary to the law of nations concerning captives, but to use all likely means to recommend themselves to the favour of the conqueror and make an interest with him. God here gives them an assurance, 1. That they should be reformed by their captivity: There shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean (Isa 52:1); their idolatrous customs should be no more introduced, or at least not harboured; for when by the marriage of strange wives, in Ezra's time and Nehemiah's, the unclean crept in, they were soon by the vigilance and zeal of the magistrates expelled again, and care was taken that Jerusalem should be a holy city. Thus the gospel Jerusalem is purified by the blood of Christ and the grace of God, and made indeed a holy city. 2. That they should be relieved and rescued out of their captivity, that the bands of their necks should be loosed, that they should not now be any longer oppressed, nay, that they should not be any more invaded, as t…
Open source ↗52:1 This second call to wake up (see 51:17) was in preparation for a glorious future. • holy city: The new city would be holy because its citizens would be holy (see 4:3). • enter your gates no longer: Things that are unclean will not be permitted to enter the holy city (see Rev 21:27).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
עוּר (ʻûwr, H5782) — to wake (literally or figuratively) לָבַשׁ (lâbash, H3847) — properly, wrap around, i.e. (by implication) to put on agarment or clothe (oneself, or… עֹז (ʻôz, H5797) — strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise) צִיּוֹן (Tsîyôwn, H6726) — Tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of Jerusalem תִּפְאָרָה (tiphʼârâh, H8597) — ornament (abstractly or concretely, literally or figuratively) בֶּגֶד (beged, H899) — a covering, i.e. clothing; also treachery or pillage יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine קֹדֶשׁ (qôdesh, H6944) — a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… יָסַף (yâçaph, H3254) — to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) עָרֵל (ʻârêl, H6189) — uncircumcised (i.e. still having the prepuce uncurtailed) טָמֵא (ṭâmêʼ, H2931) — foul in a religious sense
Open source ↗נָעַר (nâʻar, H5287) — to tumble about עָפָר (ʻâphâr, H6083) — dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine פָּתַח (pâthach, H6605) — to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve מוֹסֵר (môwçêr, H4147) — properly, chastisement, i.e. (by implication) a halter; figuratively, restraint צַוָּאר (tsavvâʼr, H6677) — the back of the neck (as that on which burdens are bound) שְׁבִי (shᵉbîy, H7628) — exiled; captured; as noun, exile (abstractly or concretely and collectively); by… בַּת (bath, H1323) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and… צִיּוֹן (Tsîyôwn, H6726) — Tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of Jerusalem
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God מָכַר (mâkar, H4376) — to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or… חִנָּם (chinnâm, H2600) — gratis, i.e. devoid of cost, reason or advantage גָּאַל (gâʼal, H1350) — to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry his widow,… כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אֲדֹנָי (ʼĂdônây, H136) — the Lord (used as a proper name of God only) יְהֹוִה (Yᵉhôvih, H3069) — {YHWH} עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… יָרַד (yârad, H3381) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the… רִאשׁוֹן (riʼshôwn, H7223) — first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun) מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt גּוּר (gûwr, H1481) — properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e. sojourn… אַשּׁוּר (ʼAshshûwr, H804) — Ashshur, the second son of Shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them… עָשַׁק (ʻâshaq, H6231) — to press upon, i.e. oppress, defraud, violate, overflow אֶפֶס (ʼepheç, H657) — cessation, i.e. an end (especially of the earth); often used adverb, no further; also the…
Open source ↗נְאֻם (nᵉʼum, H5002) — an oracle יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) חִנָּם (chinnâm, H2600) — gratis, i.e. devoid of cost, reason or advantage מָשַׁל (mâshal, H4910) — to rule יָלַל (yâlal, H3213) — to howl (with a wailing tone) or yell (with a boisterous one) שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… תָּמִיד (tâmîyd, H8548) — properly, continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as… יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… נָאַץ (nâʼats, H5006) — to scorn;
Open source ↗עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a…
Open source ↗נָאָה (nâʼâh, H4998) — properly, to be at home, i.e. (by implication) to be pleasant (or suitable), i.e.… הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) רֶגֶל (regel, H7272) — a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda בָּשַׂר (bâsar, H1319) — properly, to be fresh, i.e. full (rosy, (figuratively) cheerful); to announce (glad news) שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… שָׁלוֹם (shâlôwm, H7965) — safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health,… טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… יְשׁוּעָה (yᵉshûwʻâh, H3444) — something saved, i.e. (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) צִיּוֹן (Tsîyôwn, H6726) — Tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of Jerusalem אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence…
Open source ↗צָפָה (tsâphâh, H6822) — properly, to lean forward, i.e. to peer into the distance; by implication, to observe,… נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative קוֹל (qôwl, H6963) — a voice or sound יַחַד (yachad, H3162) — properly, a unit, i.e. (adverb) unitedly רָנַן (rânan, H7442) — properly, to creak (or emit a stridulous sound), i.e. to shout (usually for joy) רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… צִיּוֹן (Tsîyôwn, H6726) — Tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of Jerusalem
Open source ↗פָּצַח (pâtsach, H6476) — to break out (in joyful sound) רָנַן (rânan, H7442) — properly, to creak (or emit a stridulous sound), i.e. to shout (usually for joy) יַחַד (yachad, H3162) — properly, a unit, i.e. (adverb) unitedly חׇרְבָּה (chorbâh, H2723) — properly, drought, i.e. (by implication) a desolation יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God נָחַם (nâcham, H5162) — properly, to sigh, i.e. breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e. (in a… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… גָּאַל (gâʼal, H1350) — to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry his widow,…
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God חָשַׂף (châsaph, H2834) — to strip off, i.e. generally to make naked (for exertion or in disgrace), to drain away… קֹדֶשׁ (qôdesh, H6944) — a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity זְרוֹעַ (zᵉrôwaʻ, H2220) — the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… אֶפֶס (ʼepheç, H657) — cessation, i.e. an end (especially of the earth); often used adverb, no further; also the… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… יְשׁוּעָה (yᵉshûwʻâh, H3444) — something saved, i.e. (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with…
Open source ↗סוּר (çûwr, H5493) — to turn off (literal or figurative) יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… נָגַע (nâgaʻ, H5060) — properly, to touch, i.e. lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with… טָמֵא (ṭâmêʼ, H2931) — foul in a religious sense תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre בָּרַר (bârar, H1305) — to clarify (i.e. brighten), examine, select נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative כְּלִי (kᵉlîy, H3627) — something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… חִפָּזוֹן (chippâzôwn, H2649) — hasty flight יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) מְנוּסָה (mᵉnûwçâh, H4499) — retreat יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity אָסַף (ʼâçaph, H622) — to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave…
Open source ↗עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant שָׂכַל (sâkal, H7919) — to be (causatively, make or act) circumspect and hence, intelligent רוּם (rûwm, H7311) — to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively) נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative מְאֹד (mᵉʼôd, H3966) — properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication,… גָּבַהּ (gâbahh, H1361) — to soar, i.e. be lofty; figuratively, to be haughty
Open source ↗רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) שָׁמֵם (shâmêm, H8074) — to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e. devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both… מַרְאֶה (marʼeh, H4758) — a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape… מִשְׁחָת (mishchâth, H4893) — disfigurement אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… תֹּאַר (tôʼar, H8389) — outline, i.e. figure or appearance בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
Open source ↗Cross-references
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But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who practices an abomination or a lie, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
Awake, awake! Rise up, O Jerusalem, you who have drunk from the hand of the LORD the cup of His fury; you who have drained the goblet to the dregs— the cup that makes men stagger.
So the angel said to those standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes!” Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have removed your iniquity, and I will clothe you with splendid robes.”
I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD. Wake up as in days past, as in generations of old. Was it not You who cut Rahab to pieces, who pierced through the dragon?
And there will be a highway called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not travel it— only those who walk in the Way— and fools will not stray onto it.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
who indeed call yourselves after the holy city and lean on the God of Israel; the LORD of Hosts is His name.
Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.
But now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the LORD. Be strong, O Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. And be strong, all you people of the land, declares the LORD. Work! For I am with you, declares the LORD of Hosts.