Isaiah 52:12 kjv
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 nkjv
For you 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 rear guard.
Isaiah 52:12 niv
But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the LORD will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard.
Isaiah 52:12 esv
For you shall not go out in haste, and you shall not go in flight, for the LORD will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard.
Isaiah 52:12 nlt
You will not leave in a hurry,
running for your lives.
For the LORD will go ahead of you;
yes, the God of Israel will protect you from behind.
Isaiah 52 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 52:11 | "Depart, depart, go out from there; touch no unclean thing; come out from the midst of her. You clean, go out from her; come out, you Jerusalem." | Indirect command for separation |
| Exodus 13:21 | "The Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night." | God's presence leading Israel |
| Deut 1:30 | "The Lord your God who goes before you will himself fight for you, according to all that he did for you in Egypt before your eyes." | God's provision for battle |
| Joshua 1:9 | "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not fear, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” | Encouragement to be courageous |
| Psalm 23:4 | "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." | God's protection in difficult times |
| Psalm 121:8 | "The Lord shall guard your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore." | God's continuous protection |
| Prov 3:5-6 | "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." | Guidance through trust |
| Jer 23:3-4 | "I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their folds, and they shall be fruitful and multiply." | God's gathering of His people |
| Hosea 14:4 | "I will heal their faithlessness; I will love them freely, for my anger turned away from him." | God's healing and love |
| Zechariah 2:5 | "And I will be to her a wall of fire all around, and I will be the glory in its midst.” | God as protective glory |
| Zechariah 2:8 | "For thus says the Lord of hosts, after his glory he has sent me to the nations who plundered you, for he who touches you touches the apple of his eye." | God's defense of His people |
| Matthew 1:23 | "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel,” which means God with us." | Fulfillment of "God with us" |
| John 14:16-17 | "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it is not yet seen it, nor does it know it. You know it, for it dwells with you, and will be in you." | The Holy Spirit as God's presence |
| Acts 2:38-39 | "And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children and to all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”" | The promise of the Holy Spirit |
| 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 | "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you have been bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." | Believers as temples of the Holy Spirit |
| 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 | "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?...Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing, then I will welcome you, and I will be to you a father, and you shall be to me sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” | Call to separation and God's welcoming promise |
| Philippians 1:6 | "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will continue it until the day of Jesus Christ." | God's faithful work in believers |
| 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 | "and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may conduct yourselves properly before outsiders, and be dependent on nobody." | Living peaceably and honorably |
| Hebrews 13:5 | "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”" | Assurance of God's presence |
| 1 Peter 2:9 | "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." | Believers as God's holy possession |
| Romans 8:31 | "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" | The invincible power of God's presence |
| Romans 8:38-39 | "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” | Unbreakable love of God |
| John 10:29 | "My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of my Father's hand." | The Father's protective power |
| Isaiah 43:2 | "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire, you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you." | God's presence in trials |
Isaiah 52 verses
Isaiah 52 12 Meaning
Do not go out hastily.Go forth from Egypt.Do not flee in a panic.The Lord will go before you.God of Israel will be your rear guard.
Isaiah 52 12 Context
This verse is part of a larger prophetic passage in Isaiah 52:7-10, which speaks of a future restoration and the joyous return of God's people. Following the proclamation of good news on the mountains (v. 7) and the sight of God's own returning with His people (v. 8), there is a call for the land to rejoice (v. 9). This is because the Lord has shown His mighty power by redeeming His people (v. 10).
Isaiah 52:11-12 provides specific instructions for the people who are being called out. They are to separate themselves from uncleanness, a theme reinforced from the preceding verses which emphasize purification. The context is one of exiting exile and returning to Jerusalem, or more broadly, a spiritual exodus from sin and idolatry towards God's presence. This transition requires deliberate separation and reliance on God's protection.
Historically, this would have resonated with the exiles in Babylon. Prophetically, it points towards the redemption from sin through Christ and the gathering of the Church. The instructions are about a proper departure, one that is not characterized by panic but by confident trust in God's guidance.
Isaiah 52 12 Word Analysis
- go out: (Hebrew: צְאוּ - ts’u) - Imperative, plural, from the root צָא (tsa), meaning to go forth, come out, proceed. This emphasizes an active movement.
- hastily: (Hebrew: בִּבְהִלָּה - bivhilah) - Literally "in haste," "in panic," "in confusion." It signifies an uncontrolled, fearful, or rushed departure. The command is to avoid such a manner of leaving.
- flee: (Hebrew: הַחְפֵּז - hachpeyz) - From the root חָפַז (chafaz), meaning to hasten, flee in terror, move swiftly. It carries a strong connotation of fear and urgency.
- go: (Hebrew: צְאוּ - ts’u) - Same word as "go out," reinforcing the command to depart.
- out: (Hebrew: הִסָּתְרוּ - hisattəru) - From the root סָתַר (satar), meaning to hide, conceal oneself. However, in this context, following "go," it carries a meaning closer to "go forth," "emerge," or "come out of." It reinforces the idea of leaving a place or state. The KJV has "flee," but modern scholarship leans towards a more general sense of "going forth" or "coming out." The phrase hiptzatzeh ve’al machuz implies moving away from specific boundaries, not just running. The Net source indicates it means to depart in fear. It refers to movement that should be directed by God, not panic.
- from there: Implies leaving a place or condition that is detrimental or unclean.
- go out from her: Refers specifically to leaving Egypt (historical context), or a place of sin and impurity (spiritual context).
- Do not go out in haste: Reinforces the previous instruction, highlighting that the departure should be orderly and trusting, not a panicked flight.
- flee: This word again emphasizes avoidance of panic and disorder.
- for: Indicates a reason or explanation.
- the Lord: (Hebrew: יְהוָה - YHVH) - The personal covenant name of God, emphasizing His relational aspect.
- goes before you: (Hebrew: לִפְנֵיכֶם - lifneichem) - Literally "in front of you." This signifies God's proactive leadership and protection. He is not merely following; He is leading the way.
- God of Israel: A specific designation, invoking His covenant relationship with His chosen people, assuring them of His specific care and commitment.
- will be: (Hebrew: יְהיֶּה - yihiyeh) - Future tense, indicating a promise.
- your rear guard: (Hebrew: לַעֲקְבְכֶם - la‘aqvechem) - Literally "your heel," "your followers," or "your rear." It signifies protection from behind, covering any potential threat from the rearguard, ensuring no one is left behind or attacked from the rear.
Group Analysis
- Do not go out hastily, do not flee in panic: This two-part instruction is a cohesive command to ensure an orderly and trust-based departure. It prohibits two kinds of ill-advised movement: uncontrolled haste and panicked fleeing.
- For the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard: This is a powerful promise providing the rationale for the previous command. God Himself guarantees security and provision for the journey. The mention of both "Lord" and "God of Israel" strengthens the assurance by referencing His covenant power and particular care for His people. The directional protection—"before" and "rear guard"—implies comprehensive oversight and safety throughout the entire movement.
Isaiah 52 12 Bonus Section
This verse highlights the theme of divine protection that permeates Scripture, particularly during times of transition or deliverance. It’s not a passive promise of "being with" but an active commitment to lead and protect from all sides. This is a core aspect of God's covenant relationship: He does not simply redeem but actively guides and guards His redeemed people through all circumstances. The specific mention of "rear guard" is notable, assuring protection against enemies who might try to pursue or pick off stragglers, which was a common military tactic. This "covering" from behind provides a sense of completeness to God's protective provision.
Isaiah 52 12 Commentary
This verse provides a vital principle for God's people transitioning into new seasons. It’s not enough to be called out; the manner of going forth is crucial. The divine instruction is to avoid two extreme negative responses: panicky haste and fearful fleeing. This implies a need for peace, order, and trust, rather than emotional reactions driven by past trauma or present fear.
The reassurance that follows is profound. God’s presence is not passive; He actively leads ("goes before") and protectively secures ("rear guard"). This means the journey, no matter how daunting, is under His sovereign care. The repeated emphasis on His leadership and protection negates any need for frantic human action. It is a call to surrender control, trusting God’s orchestration of the movement from the old to the new.