Isaiah 52

1 there shall no more come into thee, etc. A promise and a reminder of the purity which should characterise the Church: comp. Rev. xxi. 26, 27.

2 sit down. i.e., arise and take possession of thy throne.

3. Ye have sold yourselves, etc. Rather, “Ye were sold for nought” (R.V.). As Israel’s oppressors gave nothing for him, so they can claim nothing when he is “redeemed,” or delivered from them.

4. My people went down aforetime into Egypt. Pharaoh and Sennacherib were mighty, yet the Eternal freed Israel from their tyranny; and surely He can save him from other enemies: see next verse.

5 what have I here? Or, “what do I here?” (R.V.); i.e., in Babylon. What is to be My course of action? God is represented as deliberating with Himself; enumerating the reasons for His interposition in the wanton tyranny and blasphemy of their oppressors.

for nought. i.e., “gratuitously,” as in ver. 3; without any compensating result.

make them to howl. Omit “make them to.” It is the oppressors who “howl” or shriek in triumph.

every day. “All the day” (R.V.).

6. Therefore, etc. The answer to the question of ver. 5. Because My people are oppressed and

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My name is blasphemed, I will assert Myself, and appear for their deliverance.

7. How beautiful, etc.! The expected herald now appears “upon the mountains” of Judah; the watchmen on the walls of Zion announce His rapid approach. The representation is ideal. The literal Zion was in ruins. The Church in captivity was the true Zion, and to her “watchmen” the herald came.

8. Thy watchmen, etc. Rather, as R.V., “The voice of thy watchmen! They lift up the voice. Together do they sing.”

8 they shall see eye to eye, etc. More exactly, “They shall see, eye to eye, how Jehovah returneth to Zion” (R.V., and marg.). They see Jehovah bringing back Zion as clearly and distinctly as when one man looks into the eye of another. “They see the Eternal face to face as He returns to Zion” (Moffatt).

10 hath made bare His holy arm. The image is that of a warrior throwing back the loose sleeve of his robe, to have his arm free.

11. Depart ye, depart ye. Comp. Exod. xiii. 21, 22; xiv. 19, 20; Ezra viii. 22, 23, 28, 31. All are to march now the Divine Leader is at hand; their exodus, however, is not to be a flight (Exod. xii. 11), but a march of triumph.

Touch no unclean [thing]. Take with you no idolatrous symbols or Babylonian spoils.

13. This verse, as Calvin pointed out, is really the beginning of a new section, which includes chap. iii. The whole section is the description of the Suffering Servant of God. It is a unique portrait. Whether the earlier or later date of the prophecy be accepted, it is a portrait drawn centuries before Christ appeared in human form. And, however particular features of it may be found in other personalities, it is only in Christ that they are all combined.

14. As many were astonished. At the mean and suffering appearance of the expected deliverer.

15. So. Corresponding to As in the previous verse. In proportion to the astonishment caused by His humiliation shall be the effect of His work.

shall He sprinkle many nations. But, for “sprinkle,” many expositors read “startle”; literally, “make to spring,” an interpretation which seems to agree better with the context.

The kings shall shut their mouths. In amazement and awe.