Isaiah 52:4 kjv
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 nkjv
For thus says the Lord GOD: "My people went down at first Into Egypt to dwell there; Then the Assyrian oppressed them without cause.
Isaiah 52:4 niv
For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: "At first my people went down to Egypt to live; lately, Assyria has oppressed them.
Isaiah 52:4 esv
For thus says the Lord GOD: "My people went down at the first into Egypt to sojourn there, and the Assyrian oppressed them for nothing.
Isaiah 52:4 nlt
This is what the Sovereign LORD says: "Long ago my people chose to live in Egypt. Now they are oppressed by Assyria.
Isaiah 52 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 51:21 | "Hear now this, thou afflicted, and drunken, but not with wine:" | Echoes God's previous address |
| Isaiah 43:1 | "But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine." | God's prior redemptive act |
| Jeremiah 30:10 | "Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the LORD; for I am with thee; for I will make a full end of all the nations whither I have driven thee: but I will not make a full end of thee, but I will correct thee in measure; yet will I not utterly destroy thee." | Promise of deliverance from nations |
| Jeremiah 31:11 | "For the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and fashioned him from the hand of him that was stronger than he." | God's active redemption |
| Psalm 130:7 | "Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption." | Emphasis on God's redemption |
| John 6:44 | "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day." | Divine drawing and redemption |
| Acts 4:12 | "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." | Salvation exclusively in Christ |
| Romans 3:24 | "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:" | Justification by grace, redemption in Christ |
| Ephesians 1:7 | "In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;" | Redemption through Christ's blood |
| Titus 2:14 | "Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." | Christ's redemptive purpose |
| 1 Peter 1:18-19 | "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:" | Redemption not by material things |
| Revelation 5:9 | "And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;" | Redeemed by Christ's blood |
| Exodus 13:14-15 | "And it shall be when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What is this? that thou shalt say unto him, By strength of hand the LORD brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage: And it came to pass, when Pharaoh was hardened in will against us, that he thrust them out." | God's strength in redemption of Israel |
| Deuteronomy 7:7-8 | "The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people; But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt." | God's love and oath as basis for redemption |
| Psalm 44:26 | "Arise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies' sake." | Plea for redemption |
| Zechariah 10:6 | "And I will strengthen them in the LORD; and they shall walk up and down in his name, saith the LORD." | Strengthening by the Lord |
| Isaiah 45:13 | "I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward, saith the LORD of hosts." | Captives released without price |
| Isaiah 60:17 | "For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron: I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness." | Transformation through redemption |
Isaiah 52 verses
Isaiah 52 4 Meaning
This verse declares that God's people will be redeemed not by some inherent worth or effort of their own, but freely by God's grace and His mighty power. They were oppressed, and then they will be delivered from it, becoming subjects of God.
Isaiah 52 4 Context
Isaiah 52 continues the prophetic theme of redemption and restoration for Jerusalem and its people. The preceding verses have described Zion's past suffering and desolation, portraying her as a woman who has endured immense hardship and been scattered among the nations. This chapter then transitions to a message of comfort and hope, announcing the imminent return and restoration of God's people. Verse 4 specifically addresses the reason for their future deliverance: not their own merit, but God's sovereign action and His name's sake. This verse is deeply tied to the historical experience of Israel's exile and its promised return from Babylonian captivity, but its significance extends to the ultimate redemption offered through Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 52 4 Word Analysis
So: (Hebrew: כִּי / ki) - A common Hebrew conjunction indicating reason, cause, or certainty. Here it introduces the explanation for why Israel will be redeemed.
shall they go forth: (Hebrew: יֵצְאוּ / yetse'u) - The Hiphil (causative) form of the verb yatza (to go out). This emphasizes the active act of God bringing them out. It implies a coming out from a place of bondage or confinement.
that went forth: (Hebrew: יוֹצְאִים / yotz'im) - The Qal participle of yatza, indicating an ongoing action of going out. This refers to the generation that originally left their homeland.
of them: (Hebrew: מֵהֶם / mehem) - Indicates origin or source; out from among them.
in the beginning: (Hebrew: בָּרִאשׁוֹנָה / ba'rishonah) - Literally "in the first," referring to the original exodus from Egypt, the foundational redemptive act for Israel, or the initial state of the nation. This can be seen as a temporal marker, a contrast to the future restoration, or an indicator of precedent. Some interpret this as referring to the people who went out during the time of Sennacherib's invasion or the Babylonian exile itself.
and now: (Hebrew: וְעַתָּה / v'atah) - A conjunction that introduces a contrast or a transition to the present or future. It marks the shift from the past state to the current declaration.
ye shall be: (Hebrew: תִּהְיוּ / tihyu) - Future tense, second person plural, verb hayah (to be). This speaks of their future state of existence.
with them: (Hebrew: בָּם / bam) - "In them" or "among them." The Septuagint translates this as "and I shall put my Spirit among them" (ἐν αὐτοῖς / en autois), which connects to a spiritual indwelling.
bondmen: (Hebrew: שִׁבְיָה / shivyah) - Often translated as "captives" or "captivity." This refers to those taken as spoil or prisoners.
without cause: (Hebrew: חִנָּם / chinam) - Means "freely," "without cause," "gratuitously," or "for nothing." It highlights that the redemption is undeserved and based purely on God's gracious initiative. It is not a earned reward.
Groups of words: "went forth of them in the beginning" refers to the initial departure of Israel, likely the Exodus from Egypt or perhaps their first exile. The contrast "and now ye shall be with them bondmen without cause" implies a current or impending state of servitude where their oppression seems unjustified or undeserved in the eyes of God. The phrase "without cause" emphasizes the gracious nature of God's upcoming redemption; His actions are not a response to any merit in the people, but to His own faithfulness and mercy. The LXX translation of "with them" as "in them" can suggest the indwelling presence of God, particularly His Spirit, empowering and being present with the redeemed.
Isaiah 52 4 Bonus Section
The Hebrew word for "without cause" (chinam) carries a profound meaning. It is not merely that the people didn't deserve redemption; it’s that God's motivation is entirely internal to Himself. This resonates with His love for His people, His covenant promises, and His glorious name, which He will not allow to be profaned by their perpetual subjugation. The contrast in this verse, moving from a past exodus ("in the beginning") to the present state of hardship and a future, gracious deliverance, sets a pattern of God's redemptive work in history. It speaks to a faithfulness that transcends human failings and external circumstances, demonstrating that God's plan is driven by His own eternal purpose. The New Testament understanding of redemption through Christ directly fulfills this. As Paul states, we are "justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 3:24). Christ's sacrifice, given once for all, redeems us from sin, not because of anything we did, but because of God's unmerited favor and abundant grace.
Isaiah 52 4 Commentary
This verse underscores a crucial theological truth: divine redemption is a sovereign act of grace, initiated by God and not earned by human merit. The people of Israel had endured significant periods of oppression and captivity, most notably the Babylonian exile. In their state of helplessness, the Lord declares He will bring them forth. The phrase "went forth of them in the beginning" recalls Israel's original deliverance from Egypt, establishing a precedent for God's faithfulness. The contrast with "now ye shall be with them bondmen without cause" points to the people's current afflicted state, and the addition of "without cause" emphasizes that their salvation is unmerited. This unmerited redemption highlights God's steadfast love and covenant faithfulness, demonstrating that His actions are motivated by His own character, not by any inherent worthiness in His people. This is foundational for understanding God's redemptive plan throughout Scripture, culminating in the ultimate redemption through Christ, given freely to all who believe.