Bible Commentaries
Isaiah 52

Verses 1-7

Putting on Our Strength Isaiah 52:7 tells us how to put our strength, or else return to our former bondages. In his book The Anointing, Benny Hinn gives a wonderful interpretation of Isaiah 52:1-2. “Awake, awake” - He explains that the cry, “Awake, awake!” is a call to prayer. We are to shake off our lethargy and seek the Lord with all our might. “ put on thy strength” - As we do this we find that our lives are transformed. We tap into a divine source of supernatural strength. We are able to stand against the wiles of Satan and our own fleshly passions. “O Zion…O Jerusalem, the holy city” The names “Zion” and “Jerusalem, the holy city” are symbolic of the Church. “put on thy beautiful garments” We will find ourselves clothed with righteousness so that sin cannot soil us. This allows our conscience to remain pure before God so our faith and confidence in God to hear our prayers becomes strong and certain. “for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean” We will no longer have fellowship with the wickedness of this world, but will live a life set apart. “Shake thyself from the dust; arise, and sit down” We will be able to rise up and shake off the dust of misery and defeat that the world lives in and be set free from the bondages of this world. We will rise up and go about our daily affairs in the liberty that Christ has set us free. We will sit down and rest in the true peace of God that the world cannot know. “loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion” - We will have the strength and wisdom to break Satan’s grip on every area of our lives and stay free from the sin that keeps coming back to enslave us. [69]

[69] Benny Hinn, The Anointing (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1992), 43-4.

In Isaiah 52:3-5 we are told the consequences of not seeking the Lord. It will bring us back into the old bondages of sin, oppression and sorrow that we were redeemed from. For those who seek His face, they will know Him and the power that is available through His marvelous name (Isaiah 52:6). There are those who will pay the price to lay aside their own will and proclaim to others the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Isaiah 52:7).

Isaiah 52:1 Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.

Isaiah 52:1 “Awake, awake” Scripture Reference - Note:

Isaiah 29:10, “For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.”

Isaiah 52:1 “put on thy strength, O Zion” Comments - Our strength is our joy (Nehemiah 8:10).

Nehemiah 8:10, “Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength .”

Isaiah 52:1 “put on thy beautiful garments” Comments The priestly garments were the most beautiful garments worn in the Jewish culture. The putting on of the priestly garment gave one access into the presence of God (1 Samuel 30:7).

1 Samuel 30:7, “And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech's son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David.”

In addition, this phrase may be interpreted as putting on the garments of praise, and taking off the sackcloth of mourning (Isaiah 61:3).

Isaiah 61:3, “To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness ; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.”

Isaiah 52:1 “O Jerusalem, the holy city” Comments - This is figurative for God’s sanctification of His people and their place to dwell in God’s presence.

Isaiah 52:1 “for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean” Comments - The enemy will no more triumph over them.

Isaiah 52:2 Shake thyself from the dust; arise, and sit down, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion.

Isaiah 52:2 “Shake thyself from the dust; arise, and sit down, O Jerusalem” Comments - Israel will have been trodden asunder by Assyria, destroyed and laid to the ground.

Isaiah 52:2 “loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion” Comments - Bands refer to the chains used to carry people into captivity.

Isaiah 52:3 For thus saith the LORD, Ye have sold yourselves for nought; and ye shall be redeemed without money.

Isaiah 52:3 Comments - They were sold for nothing and will be redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 52:4 For thus saith the Lord GOD, My people went down aforetime into Egypt to sojourn there; and the Assyrian oppressed them without cause.

Isaiah 52:4 Comments - Israel was heavily oppressed in Egypt prior to their exodus. In Isaiah 52:4 Egypt represents Satan and the world bringing people into bondage and destruction. God will deliver this people from these oppressors.

Isaiah 52:5 Now therefore, what have I here, saith the LORD, that my people is taken away for nought? they that rule over them make them to howl, saith the LORD; and my name continually every day is blasphemed.

Isaiah 52:5 Comments - Assyrian captivity was oppressive like Israel’s bondage in Egypt.

Isaiah 52:6 Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak: behold, it is I.

Isaiah 52:6 Comments - God makes known His name in the new covenant by signs and wonders that Jesus reigns.

Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!

Isaiah 52:7 Comments - Paul the apostles quotes Isaiah 52:7 in Romans 10:15 as a description of those who are sent forth to preach the Gospel to the nations of the world. Men’s feet are used for travel and represent being the act of being sent out (Matthew 28:18-20). Moses brought the people of Israel good news while they were yet in Egyptian bondage.

Romans 10:15, “And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”

Matthew 28:18-20, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

Verses 8-12

Isaiah 52:8 Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall bring again Zion.

Isaiah 52:8 “for they shall see eye to eye” Comments - They will see with their own eyes.

Isaiah 52:8 “when the LORD shall bring again Zion” - Word Study on “shall bring again” Gesenius says the Hebrew word “shall bring again” ( שׁוּב ) (H7725) means, “to turn about, to return.” Strong says it is a primitive root that means, “to turn back,” hence, “turn away.” This word has a wide variety of meanings. Gesenius says this phrase in Isaiah 52:8 can be translated, “when Jehovah shall return to Zion,” or “when Jehovah brings back Zion.”

Isaiah 52:8 Comments - Isaiah 52:8 has a variety of translations, referring either to the Jews returning from Babylonian Captivity ( DRC, KJV, NAB), or the Lord returning to Zion ( ASV, ESV, NCV, NET, NIV, NLT, Rotherham, RSV). Modern English versions seem to favor the translation referring to the Coming of Jesus Christ.

DRC reads, “The voice of thy watchmen: they have lifted up their voice, they shah praise together: for they shall see eye to eye when the Lord shall convert Sion.”

KJV reads, “Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall bring again Zion.”

NAB reads, “Hark! Your watchmen raise a cry, together they shout for joy, For they see directly, before their eyes, the LORD restoring Zion.”

NASB reads, “Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices, They shout joyfully together; For they will see with their own eyes When the Lord restores Zion.”

ASV reads, “The voice of thy watchmen! they lift up the voice, together do they sing; for they shall see eye to eye, when Jehovah returneth to Zion.”

ESV reads, “The voice of your watchmen they lift up their voice; together they sing for joy; for eye to eye they see the return of the Lord to Zion.”

NCV reads, “Listen! Your guards are shouting. They are all shouting for joy! They all will see with their own eyes when the Lord returns to Jerusalem.”

NET reads, “Listen, your watchmen shout; in unison they shout for joy, for they see with their very own eyes the Lord’s return to Zion.”

NIV reads, “Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices; together they shout for joy. When the Lord returns to Zion, they will see it with their own eyes.”

NLT, “The watchmen shout and sing with joy, for before their very eyes they see the Lord returning to Jerusalem.”

Rotherham reads, “The voice of thy watchmen! They have uplifted a voice Together, do they renew the shout of triumph, For eye to eye, shall they see, When Yahweh returneth to Zion.”

RSV reads, “Hark, your watchmen lift up their voice, together they sing for joy; for eye to eye they see the return of the Lord to Zion.”

From the throne of God a herald brings good tidings to Jerusalem, announcing Israel’s forgiveness and salvation.

Isaiah 52:9 Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the LORD hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem.

Isaiah 52:9 “he hath redeemed Jerusalem” Comments - Strong says the Hebrew word “redeem” ( גָּאַל ) (H1350) means to redeem, deliver, purchase, ransom.” It refers to the custom of buying back someone or something a person has lost through helplessness, poverty, or violence. Usually, the one who redeems is a close relative who is in a stronger position to purchase back the person or possessions on behalf of his weaker relative. In Isaiah 52:9 God redeems Jerusalem, symbolic of the Church. God has pledged to eventually redeem all of His creation. The Lord Jesus Christ is the firstfruits of this redemption plan. The same Hebrew word is used in Psalms 72:14, when it says that the Messiah, referred to in this passage of Scripture, will redeem the poor and needy from deceit and violence.

Psalms 72:14, “He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight.”

Isaiah 52:9 Comments - Isaiah 52:9 is similar to Isaiah 52:1.

Isaiah 52:10 The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.

Isaiah 52:10 “The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations” Comments - Used figuratively, the Lord’s arm represents His divine strength (Psalms 98:1). God revealed His arm, or His power, with the ten plagues to Egypt. God revealed His Holy arm through Jesus Christ (Isaiah 53:1, John 12:37-38). Paul preached Jesus to the Galatians, revealing God’s holy arm (Galatians 3:1).

Psalms 98:1, “O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm , hath gotten him the victory.”

John 12:38, “That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?”

Isaiah 53:1, “Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?”

Galatians 3:1, “O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?”

Isaiah 52:10 “all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God” Scripture References - Note:

Isaiah 49:6, “And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth .”

Note Matthew 28:18-20 - the great commission:

Matthew 28:18-20, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

Note similar verses:

Luke 3:4-6, “As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; And all flesh shall see the salvation of God .”

Acts 13:47, “For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth .”

Acts 28:28, “Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles , and that they will hear it.”

Isaiah 52:11 Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD.

Isaiah 52:11 “Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence” Comments - Isaiah calls Israel to depart in a similar way the nation of Israel came out of Egypt.

Isaiah 52:11 “touch no unclean thing” Comments - In the Exodus from Egypt, the Egyptians took no leaven bread with them. Because of their haste, they did not have time to make leaven bread.

2 Corinthians 6:17, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,”

Isaiah 52:12 For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rereward.

Isaiah 52:12 “For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight” Comments - The Egyptians had been urgent for Israel to leave, so that Israel was thrust out; thus the Israelites ate in haste the night of the Exodus from Egypt (Exodus 12:11; Exodus 12:33; Exodus 12:39).

Exodus 12:11, “And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD'S passover.”

Exodus 12:33, “And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men.”

Exodus 12:39, “And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt, for it was not leavened; because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any victual.”

Isaiah 52:12 “for the LORD will go before you” - Comments - God sent an angel before Israel in their wilderness journeys, a cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night.

Isaiah 52:12 “and the God of Israel will be your rereward” Comments - Webster says the word “rereward” means, “the rear guard of an army.” God will gather up His people so that none tarry behind. He will protect the feeblest among them.

Isaiah 52:11-12 Comments - One must ask the question, “Go out from where?” Isaiah 52:11 tells us to come out from a particular place. If we examine Isaiah 52:12, it draws a picture of Israel’s hasty nighttime flight from Egypt. Thus, this passage is telling us to come out from Egypt, which is figurative of the sinful world.

Verses 13-14

Isaiah 52:13 Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.

Isaiah 52:13 “Behold, my servant shall deal prudently” - Word Study on “servant” Strong says the Hebrew word “servant” ( עֶבֶד ) (H5650) means, “a servant, a bondman, a bond-servant.” The Enhanced Strong say it is used 800 times in the Old Testament, being translated in the KJV as, “servant 744, manservant 23, bondman 21, bondage 10, bondservant 1, on all sides 1.”

Word Study on “shall deal prudently” Strong says the Hebrew word “shall deal prudently” ( שָׂכַל ) (H7919) is a primitive root meaning, “to be circumspect, hence, intelligent, wisdom, to understand, to prosper.” The Enhanced Strong says it is used 63 times in the Old Testament, being translated in the KJV as, “understand 12, wise 12, prosper 8, wisely 6, understanding 5, consider 4, instruct 3, prudent 2, skill 2, teach 2, misc 7.” This word occurs 13 times in the book of Proverbs.

Comments - “Behold, my servant” - This servant, Jesus Christ, becomes the Deliverer. Who He is and how He delivers God's people follows in Isaiah 52:13 to Isaiah 53:1-12.

Isaiah 52:13 “he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high” - Word Study on “he shall be exalted” Strong says the Hebrew word “exalted” ( רוּם ) (H7311) is a primitive root meaning, “to be high, to rise, to raise, to bring up, to exalt.” The Enhanced Strong says it is used 194 times in the Old Testament, being translated in the KJV as “(lift, hold, etc...) up 63, exalt 47, high 25, offer 13, give 5, heave 3, extol 3, lofty 3, take 3, tall 3, higher 2, misc 24.”

Word Study on “extolled” Strong says the Hebrew word “extolled” ( נָשָׂא ) (H5375) is a primitive root meaning, “to lift, arise, to bear.” The Enhanced Strong says it is used 654 times in the Old Testament, being translated in the KJV, “(bare, lift, etc...) up 219, bear 115, take 58, bare 34, carry 30, (take, carry)..away 22, borne 22, armourbearer 18, forgive 16, accept 12, exalt 8, regard 5, obtained 4, respect 3, misc 74.”

Word Study on “very” Strong says the Hebrew word “very” ( מְאֹד ) (H3966) means, “vehemence, vehemently, wholly, speedily.” The Enhanced Strong says it is used 299 times in the Old Testament, being translated in the KJV, “very 137, greatly 49, sore 23, exceeding 18, great 12, exceedingly 11, much 10, exceeding + 03966 6, exceedingly +03966 5, diligently 4, good 3, might 2, mightily 2, misc 17.”

Word Study on “be high” Strong says the Hebrew word “be high” ( גָּבַהּ ) (H1361) is a primitive root meaning, “to soar, to be lofty, to be haughty.” The Enhanced Strong says it is used 34 times in the Old Testament, being translated in the KJV as “exalt 9, ...up 9, haughty 5, higher 4, high 3, above 1, height 1, proud 1, upward 1.”

Comments - The first description of the Messiah in this lengthy passage on the suffering servant is the fact that servanthood brings exaltation. Because Jesus Christ humbled Himself more than any man, He has been exalted above all men. This divine principle teaches us that the degree we humble ourselves in submission to God will determine the height that He exalts us before man. We also find this same description of Jesus Christ in Philippians 2:5-11, where we are told that Jesus Christ humbled himself as a servant and became obedient unto death. Therefore, God has highly exalted Him above all.

Isaiah 52:14 As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:

Isaiah 52:14 Word Study on “astonied” Strong says the Hebrew word ( שָׁמֵם ) (H8074) It means, “to stun, to devastate, to stupefy.” The Enhanced Strong says this primitive root is used 92 times in the Old Testament, being translated in the KJV, “desolate 49, astonished 20, desolation 7, waste 5, destroy 3, wondered 2, amazed 1, astonishment 1, misc 4.”

Isaiah 52:14 Word Study on “visage” Strong says the Hebrew word ( מַרְאֶה ) (H4758) means, “a view, an appearance, a shape, a vision.” The Enhanced Strong says this word is used 103 times in the Old Testament, being translated in the KJV, “appearance 35, sight 18, countenance 11, vision 11, favoured 7, look upon 4, fair + 02896 2, misc 15; 103.”

Isaiah 52:14 Word Study on “marred” Strong says the Hebrew word ( מָשְׁחָת ) (H4893) means, “disfigurement, corruption, marred.” The Enhanced Strong says it is used 2 times in the Old Testament, being translated in the KJV, “marred 1, corruption 1.”

It comes from the primitive Hebrew root ( שָׁחַת ) (H7843), which means, “to decay, to ruin.” The Enhanced Strong says it is used 147 times in the Old Testament, being translated in the KJV, “destroy 96, corrupt 22, Mark 7:0, destroyer 3, corrupters 2, waster 2, spoilers 2, battered 1, corruptly 1, misc 11.”

Isaiah 52:14 Word Study on “form” Strong says the Hebrew word ( תֹּאַר ) (H8389) This word means, “outline, figure, appearance.” The Enhanced Strong says it is used 15 times in the Old Testament, being translated in the KJV, “form 3, goodly 2, beautiful + 03303 2, favoured 2, comely 1, countenance 1, fair + 03303 1, goodly + 02896 1, resembled 1, visage 1.”

Isaiah 52:14 Comments - The Shroud of Turin is believed to be the actual burial cloth of the Lord Jesus Christ. In this cloth is the image of a man that has been crucified. Scientists have revealed that the face of this man was severely marred. One eye is swollen shut from bruises below that eye. The nose shows signs of being broken. The face shows signs of being bruised, cut and beaten. From head to toe on both sides of the body’s image are marks of a severe lashing with a whip tipped with bone or metal. [70]

[70] Grant R. Jeffery, “The Mysterious Shroud of Turin,” [on-line]; accessed 1 September 2009; available from http://www.grantjeffrey.com/article/shroud.htm; Internet.

Verses 13-15

The Passion of the Messiah Isaiah 52:13 to Isaiah 53:12 reveals the sufferings of Christ Jesus on the Cross to the greatest degree of any place found in Holy Scriptures. When such a description of God’s great sacrifice is placed with a book of judgment against His children, we begin to see how great is God’s love towards them. Even while God was judging them, He was preparing to send His Only Begotten Son to Calvary in order to pay the penalty for their wicked sins. Such love is summed up in John 3:16.

John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

I saw this tremendous truth found with this passage as was comforting our three-year old child. My wife had sent our child out of the kitchen because of her misbehavior. I heard her crying in the hallway and went to comfort her. Although I stood with my wife in the need for discipline, I felt a father’s love within me. I wanted restoration. The child had been banished from the kitchen and I was trying to bring restoration so that she could be reunited in fellowship with her mother and thus, reenter the kitchen. (February 2, 2004)

It is in this fullness of love that the God of Israel can both judge His people while preparing to send His Beloved Son to atone for their sins. The tremendous judgment in the book of Isaiah reveals God’s depth of holiness that is beyond our capacity to understand. But in the same way, His tremendous love in sending His Son is also beyond our ability to comprehend. Such a contrast of God’s holiness and love will only be understood as we spend eternity in Heaven getting to know our loving Heavenly Father and as we are taught of the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made in leaving Heaven to die on the Cross for the sins of a disobedient people.

Verse 15

Isaiah 52:15 So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.

Isaiah 52:15 “So shall he sprinkle many nations” Comments - The sprinkling is a reference to the blood sprinkling of Jesus, His redemption by the shedding of His blood (Exodus 24:8, Hebrews 9:13-14; Hebrews 12:24, 1 Peter 1:2).

Exodus 24:8, “And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people , and said, Behold the blood of the covenant , which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.”

Hebrews 9:13-14, “For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”

Hebrews 12:24, “And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.”

1 Peter 1:2, “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.”

Isaiah 52:15 “and that which they had not heard shall they consider” Scripture Reference - Note:

Ephesians 3:5, “Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;”

Isaiah 52:15 Comments - This is a similar message to Isaiah 64:4, “For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.”