Isaiah 52:8
Isaiah 52:8 in Multiple Translations
Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices, together they shout for joy. For every eye will see when the LORD returns to Zion.
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.
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.
The voice of your watchmen! their voices are loud in song together; for they will see him, eye to eye, when the Lord comes back to Zion.
The city watchmen shout loudly and sing for joy together; they all see the Lord returning to Jerusalem.
The voyce of thy watchmen shalbe heard: they shall lift vp their voyce, and shoute together: for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring againe Zion.
The voice of thy watchmen! They have lifted up the voice, together they cry aloud, Because eye to eye they see, in Jehovah's turning back [to] Zion.
Your watchmen lift up their voice. Together they sing; for they shall see eye to eye when the LORD returns to Zion.
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.
The voice of thy watchmen: they have lifted up their voice, they shall praise together: for they shall see eye to eye when the Lord shall convert Sion.
The watchmen who are guarding the city will shout and sing joyfully, because while they are watching they will see Yahweh returning to Jerusalem.
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 52:8
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Isaiah 52:8 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
ק֥וֹל
צֹפַ֛יִ/ךְ
נָ֥שְׂאוּ
ק֖וֹל
יַחְדָּ֣ו
יְרַנֵּ֑נוּ
כִּ֣י
עַ֤יִן
בְּ/עַ֨יִן֙
יִרְא֔וּ
בְּ/שׁ֥וּב
יְהוָ֖ה
צִיּֽוֹן
ק֥וֹל
qôwl
H6963
voice
N-ms
צֹפַ֛יִ/ךְ
tsâphâh
H6822
to watch
V-Qal | Suff
נָ֥שְׂאוּ
nâsâʼ
H5375
to lift
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
ק֖וֹל
qôwl
H6963
voice
N-ms
יַחְדָּ֣ו
yachad
H3162
unitedness
Adv
יְרַנֵּ֑נוּ
rânan
H7442
to overcome
V-Piel-Imperf-3mp
כִּ֣י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
עַ֤יִן
ʻayin
H5869
eye
N-cs
בְּ/עַ֨יִן֙
ʻayin
H5869
eye
Prep | N-cs
יִרְא֔וּ
râʼâh
H7200
Provider
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
בְּ/שׁ֥וּב
shûwb
H7725
to return
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
יְהוָ֖ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
צִיּֽוֹן
Tsîyôwn
H6726
Zion
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 52:8
ק֥וֹל
qôwl
H6963
"voice"
N-ms
A voice or sound, it can refer to the sound of a person speaking, an animal, or a musical instrument. In the Bible, it is often used to describe God's voice or the sound of praise and worship.
Definition: : sound/noise 1) voice, sound, noise 1a) voice 1b) sound (of instrument)
Usage: Occurs in 436 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] aloud, bleating, crackling, cry ([phrase] out), fame, lightness, lowing, noise, [phrase] hold peace, (pro-) claim, proclamation, [phrase] sing, sound, [phrase] spark, thunder(-ing), voice, [phrase] yell. See also: Genesis 3:8; Judges 5:11; Job 4:10.
צֹפַ֛יִ/ךְ
tsâphâh
H6822
"to watch"
V-Qal | Suff
Tsaphah means to watch or observe, often by leaning forward to see into the distance. It can also mean to wait or keep watch, like a guard.
Definition: 1) to look out or about, spy, keep watch, observe, watch 1a)(Qal) to keep watch, spy 1b) (Piel) to watch, watch closely
Usage: Occurs in 33 OT verses. KJV: behold, espy, look up (well), wait for, (keep the) watch(-man). See also: Genesis 31:49; Proverbs 31:27; Psalms 5:4.
נָ֥שְׂאוּ
nâsâʼ
H5375
"to lift"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to lift or raise something, and it's used in many ways, like lifting a burden or raising someone's status. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah, often talking about God lifting people up. It's about supporting or carrying something or someone.
Definition: : raise/take_up 1) to lift, bear up, carry, take 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lift, lift up 1a2) to bear, carry, support, sustain, endure 1a3) to take, take away, carry off, forgive 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be lifted up, be exalted 1b2) to lift oneself up, rise up 1b3) to be borne, be carried 1b4) to be taken away, be carried off, be swept away 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to lift up, exalt, support, aid, assist 1c2) to desire, long (fig.) 1c3) to carry, bear continuously 1c4) to take, take away 1d) (Hithpael) to lift oneself up, exalt oneself 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to cause one to bear (iniquity) 1e2) to cause to bring, have brought
Usage: Occurs in 609 OT verses. KJV: accept, advance, arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring (forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease, exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further, give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable ([phrase] man), lade, lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, [idiom] needs, obtain, pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare, stir up, [phrase] swear, take (away, up), [idiom] utterly, wear, yield. See also: Genesis 4:13; Numbers 4:2; 1 Samuel 14:3.
ק֖וֹל
qôwl
H6963
"voice"
N-ms
A voice or sound, it can refer to the sound of a person speaking, an animal, or a musical instrument. In the Bible, it is often used to describe God's voice or the sound of praise and worship.
Definition: : sound/noise 1) voice, sound, noise 1a) voice 1b) sound (of instrument)
Usage: Occurs in 436 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] aloud, bleating, crackling, cry ([phrase] out), fame, lightness, lowing, noise, [phrase] hold peace, (pro-) claim, proclamation, [phrase] sing, sound, [phrase] spark, thunder(-ing), voice, [phrase] yell. See also: Genesis 3:8; Judges 5:11; Job 4:10.
יַחְדָּ֣ו
yachad
H3162
"unitedness"
Adv
This adverb means together, describing people doing something in unity, like in Psalm 133:1.
Definition: 1) union, unitedness
Usage: Occurs in 139 OT verses. KJV: alike, at all (once), both, likewise, only, (al-) together, withal. See also: Genesis 13:6; Psalms 62:10; Psalms 2:2.
יְרַנֵּ֑נוּ
rânan
H7442
"to overcome"
V-Piel-Imperf-3mp
This Hebrew verb means to sing or shout for joy, often used to express praise or triumph, as seen in Psalm 98:4 where believers are called to shout for joy to the Lord. It can also mean to cry aloud in distress or to summon others. This word is used to describe a loud, vocal expression of emotion.
Definition: 1) to overcome 1a) (Hithpolel) to be overcome
Usage: Occurs in 53 OT verses. KJV: aloud for joy, cry out, be joyful (greatly, make to) rejoice, (cause to) shout (for joy), (cause to) sing (aloud, for joy, out), triumph. See also: Leviticus 9:24; Psalms 132:9; Psalms 5:12.
כִּ֣י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
עַ֤יִן
ʻayin
H5869
"eye"
N-cs
This word can mean a spring or fountain, but also refers to the eye or a source of something. It is often translated as affliction, outward appearance, or countenance, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : eye 1) eye 1a) eye 1a1) of physical eye 1a2) as showing mental qualities 1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 828 OT verses. KJV: affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves). See also: Genesis 3:5; Exodus 34:9; Deuteronomy 28:67.
בְּ/עַ֨יִן֙
ʻayin
H5869
"eye"
Prep | N-cs
This word can mean a spring or fountain, but also refers to the eye or a source of something. It is often translated as affliction, outward appearance, or countenance, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : eye 1) eye 1a) eye 1a1) of physical eye 1a2) as showing mental qualities 1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 828 OT verses. KJV: affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves). See also: Genesis 3:5; Exodus 34:9; Deuteronomy 28:67.
יִרְא֔וּ
râʼâh
H7200
"Provider"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
The Hebrew word for provider means to see or look after, and is used to describe God's care for his people. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Genesis and other books.
Definition: (Lord will) Provide, cause to be seen. This name means to see, look at, inspect, look after
Usage: Occurs in 1206 OT verses. KJV: advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 41:41; Exodus 33:13.
בְּ/שׁ֥וּב
shûwb
H7725
"to return"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
This Hebrew word means to return or turn back, and can be used literally or figuratively. It is often used to describe someone returning to God or repenting from sin, as seen in the book of Psalms and the prophets.
Definition: : return 1) to return, turn back 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn back, return 1a1a) to turn back 1a1b) to return, come or go back 1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back 1a1d) of dying 1a1e) of human relations (fig) 1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig) 1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise 1a1f2) to turn away (of God) 1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent 1a1f4) turn back (from evil) 1a1g) of inanimate things 1a1h) in repetition 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to bring back 1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig) 1b3) to lead away (enticingly) 1b4) to show turning, apostatise 1c) (Pual) restored (participle) 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back 1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment 1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore 1d3) to bring back, report to, answer 1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense) 1d5) to turn back or backward, repel, defeat, repulse, hinder, reject, refuse 1d6) to turn away (face), turn toward 1d7) to turn against 1d8) to bring back to mind 1d9) to show a turning away 1d10) to reverse, revoke 1e) (Hophal) to be returned, be restored, be brought back 1f) (Pulal) brought back
Usage: Occurs in 953 OT verses. KJV: ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. See also: Genesis 3:19; Numbers 8:25; Judges 8:13.
יְהוָ֖ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
צִיּֽוֹן
Tsîyôwn
H6726
"Zion"
N-proper
Zion refers to a mountain in Jerusalem, often used as another name for the city, especially in prophetic books like Isaiah and Jeremiah.
Definition: Zion = "parched place" another name for Jerusalem especially in the prophetic books Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 153 OT verses. KJV: Zion. See also: 2 Samuel 5:7; Isaiah 49:14; Psalms 2:6.
Study Notes — Isaiah 52:8
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 52:8 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 52:8
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 52:8
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 52:8
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 52:8
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 52:8
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 52:8
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 52:8
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 52:8
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 52:8
- Sermons on Isaiah 52:8
Context — Deliverance for Jerusalem
6Therefore My people will know My name; therefore they will know on that day that I am He who speaks. Here I am!”
7How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
8Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices, together they shout for joy. For every eye will see when the LORD returns to Zion.
9Break forth in joy, sing together, O ruins of Jerusalem, for the LORD has comforted His people; He has redeemed Jerusalem. 10The LORD has bared His holy arm in the sight of all the nations; all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 62:6 | On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD shall take no rest for yourselves, |
| 2 | Ezekiel 33:7 | As for you, O son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word from My mouth and give them the warning from Me. |
| 3 | Jeremiah 32:39 | I will give them one heart and one way, so that they will always fear Me for their own good and for the good of their children after them. |
| 4 | Zephaniah 3:9 | For then I will restore pure lips to the peoples, that all may call upon the name of the LORD and serve Him shoulder to shoulder. |
| 5 | Isaiah 48:20 | Leave Babylon! Flee from the Chaldeans! Declare it with a shout of joy, proclaim it, let it go out to the ends of the earth, saying, “The LORD has redeemed His servant Jacob!” |
| 6 | Jeremiah 33:11 | the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of the bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those bringing thank offerings into the house of the LORD, saying: ‘Give thanks to the LORD of Hosts, for the LORD is good; His loving devotion endures forever.’ For I will restore the land from captivity as in former times, says the LORD. |
| 7 | Isaiah 58:1 | “Cry aloud, do not hold back! Raise your voice like a ram’s horn. Declare to My people their transgression and to the house of Jacob their sins. |
| 8 | Isaiah 40:9 | Go up on a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news. Raise your voice loudly, O Jerusalem, herald of good news. Lift it up, do not be afraid! Say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God!” |
| 9 | Isaiah 30:26 | The light of the moon will be as bright as the sun, and the light of the sun will be seven times brighter—like the light of seven days—on the day that the LORD binds up the brokenness of His people and heals the wounds He has inflicted. |
| 10 | Isaiah 56:10 | Israel’s watchmen are blind, they are all oblivious; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they are dreamers lying around, loving to slumber. |
Isaiah 52:8 Summary
Isaiah 52:8 is a beautiful picture of the watchmen, or guardians, of Zion shouting for joy because they see the Lord returning to His people. This verse is a reminder that God will one day return to His people and establish His kingdom, as promised in Revelation 20:1-6. Just like the watchmen, we can lift up our voices in praise and joy, knowing that God is our redeemer and comforter (Psalm 107:2). As we wait for the Lord's return, we can live in hope and anticipation, sharing the good news of His redemption with others, just as the watchmen share the news of His return.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the watchmen lifting up their voices in Isaiah 52:8?
The watchmen lifting up their voices symbolize the joyful announcement of the Lord's return to Zion, as prophesied in Isaiah 52:8, and is reminiscent of the watchmen in Ezekiel 3:17 who were responsible for warning God's people of impending judgment, but here they shout for joy at the Lord's return.
How does this verse relate to the concept of God's redemption?
Isaiah 52:8 is closely tied to the idea of God's redemption, as seen in Isaiah 52:9-10, where the Lord comforts and redeems His people, and is also reflected in other scriptures such as Psalm 107:2, which encourages the redeemed to tell others of God's goodness.
What is the meaning of 'every eye will see' in this verse?
The phrase 'every eye will see' in Isaiah 52:8 signifies that the Lord's return to Zion will be a visible and unmistakable event, much like the day of the Lord described in Isaiah 2:10-21, where all will see God's glory and power revealed.
How does this verse point to the future messianic kingdom?
Isaiah 52:8 points to the future messianic kingdom, where the Lord will return to Zion and establish His reign, as prophesied in Isaiah 11:1-10 and Revelation 20:1-6, where God's people will live in peace and harmony under His rule.
Reflection Questions
- What does it mean for you to 'lift up your voice' in joy and praise to God, and how can you express this in your daily life?
- How does the promise of the Lord's return to Zion give you hope and comfort in times of difficulty or uncertainty?
- In what ways can you be a 'watchman' for others, sharing the good news of God's redemption and return, as seen in Isaiah 52:7-8?
- What are some ways you can 'break forth in joy' and celebrate God's comfort and redemption in your life, as encouraged in Isaiah 52:9?
- How can you apply the concept of 'every eye will see' to your own life, living in a way that reflects God's glory and power to those around you?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 52:8
The watchmen shall lift up the voice,.... Not the Levites in the temple, nor the prophets of the Old Testament; rather the evangelists and apostles of Christ; best of all Gospel ministers in the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 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. Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 52:8
Thy watchmen, thy ministers, who shall descry the approach and coming of this heavenly King and kingdom, shall lift up the voice; partly to give notice to all people of these glad tidings; and partly by way of exultation, to sing forth the praises of God for this glorious day and mercy, as it here follows. They shall see; they shall understand, and so be able to teach, Divine mysteries. Eye to eye; very distinctly, and clearly, and familiarly, their eyes beholding the eyes of this King of glory; as it is said of Zedekiah, , Thine eyes shall behold the eyes of the king of Babylon; and as it is said, mouth to mouth, , and face to face, . They shall see with their bodily eyes the King of the church, or the Word made flesh, as they are said to have done, . They shall be eye and ear witnesses of the words and works of Christ, and therefore their testimony of these things shall be more certain and valuable. When the Lord shall bring again Zion; when God shall complete the work of bringing his church out of captivity; which was begun at the return out of Babylon, and perfected by Christ’ s coming into the world.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 52:8
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.Ver. 8. Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice.] Heb., The voice of thy watchmen - sc., " Thy God reigneth"; or, as in the following verse, "Break forth into joy," &c. They lift up the voice, they sing together.] As having "no greater joy than that their children walk in the truth," and the contrary. For they shall see eye to eye.] And be able to say, as 1 John 1:1, "That which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon" (and what so sure as sight?) "declare we unto you." Id est cominus evidentisaime, ut Numbers 14:14. - Jun.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 52:8
(8) Thy watchmen . . .—The sentinels see the heralds from their watch-towers (Isaiah 21:6; Habakkuk 2:1), and sing out for joy, as they see, not only afar off, but “eye to eye,” the presence of the God who has become the King.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 52:8
Verse 8. Thy watchmen lift up the voice - "All thy watchmen lift up their voice"] There is a difficulty in the construction of this place which, I think, none of the ancient versions or modern interpreters have cleared up satisfactorily. Rendered word for word it stands thus: "The voice of thy watchmen: they lift up their voice." The sense of the first member, considered as elliptical, is variously supplied by various expositors; by none, as it seems to me, in any way that is easy and natural. I am persuaded there is a mistake in the present text, and that the true reading is כל צפיך col tsophayich, all thy watchmen, instead of קול צפיך kol tsophayich, the voice of thy watchmen. The mistake was easy from the similitude in sound of the two letters כ caph and ק koph. And in one MS. the ק koph is upon a rasure. This correction perfectly rectifies the sense and the construction. - L. They shall see eye to eye] May not this be applied to the prophets and apostles; the one predicting, and the other discovering in the prediction the truth of the prophecy. The meaning of both Testaments is best understood by bringing them face to face. When the Lord shall bring again Zion - "When JEHOVAH returneth to Zion"] So the Chaldee: כד יתיב שכנתיה לציון cad yethib shechinteih letsiyon, "when he shall place the shechinah in Zion." God is considered as having deserted his people during the captivity; and at the restoration, as returning himself with them to Zion, his former habitation.
See Psalms 60:1; Isaiah 40:9, and note.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 52:8
8. Thy watchmen … sing] Render, Hark, thy watchmen! they lift up the voice, together do they sing (see R.V.). Although the prophets are often called “watchmen” (ch. Isaiah 56:10; Habakkuk 2:1; Jeremiah 6:17; Ezekiel 33:2 ff.) there is no reason to suppose that they are referred to here. Prophets are no longer required after the herald of salvation has arrived and Jehovah Himself is at hand. The word is used in its ordinary sense of the watchmen posted on the city walls, who are naturally represented as the first to see and announce the actual approach of the King. for they shall see &c.] Rather, for eye to eye do they look upon Jehovah’s return to Zion. The expression eye to eye occurs only once again, in Numbers 14:14, where Jehovah is said to be “seen eye to eye” in Israel; i.e. He is visibly present there (cf. Jeremiah 32:4, “his eyes shall look on the eyes of Nebuchadnezzar”). The idea here must be similar; Jehovah shall be seen in person when He comes to Zion, as closely and clearly as when two men look one another in the face.
The phrase certainly has not in Hebr. the sense of harmony and unity which it has come to bear in English. But it can hardly mean merely that the watchmen shall form a dense throng, looking each other in the face! That is a thought quite irrelevant in the context.
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 52:8
Thy watchmen - This language is taken from the custom of placing watchmen on the walls of a city, or on elevated towers, who could see if an enemy approached, and who of course would be the first to
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 52:8
8. Thy watchmen… lift… voice — Watchtowers along the line are here supposed, on which runs, from one to the other, the shouts of the coming caravans.
Sermons on Isaiah 52:8
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A Discourse on Singing of Psalms as a Part of Divine Worship. by John Gill | John Gill emphasizes the significance of singing psalms as a vital part of divine worship, arguing that it is a distinct ordinance from prayer and should be performed with both spi |
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God's Jealousy for His People by George Warnock | George Warnock emphasizes God's deep jealousy for His people, urging them to seek the truth that leads to true freedom and deliverance. He explains that while deliverance from sin |
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The Apostasy - the Remnant Part 2 by David Wilkerson | This sermon emphasizes the importance of being watchmen and warning others of impending spiritual dangers to avoid having blood on our hands. It speaks of a remnant that will turn |
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Ye Are Come to Zion - Part 8 by T. Austin-Sparks | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding the burden and concerns of the Lord. The Lord's style of watchfulness and vigilance is highlighted, as He des |
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Prophetic Prayers of the Master Builder by Denny Kenaston | In this sermon, Brother Denny emphasizes the importance of having a heart that is changed by God. He encourages listeners to allow God to work in their lives and to be zealous in t |
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Removing the Stumbling Blocks - Part 1 by Dan Augsburger | This sermon focuses on the power of prayer, emphasizing the importance of interceding for others and persisting in prayer. It explores the story of Blind Bartimaeus in Mark 10, hig |
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The Importance of Prevailing Prayer by Wesley Duewel | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the urgent need for Christians to fulfill their prophetic role as watchmen on the walls. The world is becoming increasingly sinful and God is |