King James Version

What Does Isaiah 52:1 Mean?

Isaiah 52:1 in the King James Version says “Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth the... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 52 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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 · KJV


Context

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.

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.

3

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


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The command 'Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion' calls Jerusalem from defilement to purity, from weakness to power. The promise 'there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean' depicts permanent holiness - fulfilled ultimately in New Jerusalem where 'nothing that defileth shall enter' (Revelation 21:27). The beautiful garments replace mourning, symbolizing joy after sorrow.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Post-exilic Jerusalem needed purification from Babylonian contamination. But complete fulfillment awaits the glorified church, Christ's pure bride 'without spot or wrinkle' (Ephesians 5:27). The call to 'awake' summons responsive faith to embrace promised restoration.

Reflection Questions

  1. What spiritual 'beautiful garments' has Christ clothed you with to replace sin's filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6)?
  2. How does the promise that nothing unclean will enter the holy city motivate present pursuit of holiness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
עוּרִ֛י1 of 19

Awake

H5782

to wake (literally or figuratively)

עוּרִ֛י2 of 19

Awake

H5782

to wake (literally or figuratively)

לִבְשִׁ֣י׀3 of 19

put on

H3847

properly, wrap around, i.e., (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe (oneself, or another), literally or figuratively

עֻזֵּ֖ךְ4 of 19

thy strength

H5797

strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise)

צִיּ֑וֹן5 of 19

O Zion

H6726

tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem

לִבְשִׁ֣י׀6 of 19

put on

H3847

properly, wrap around, i.e., (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe (oneself, or another), literally or figuratively

בִּגְדֵ֣י7 of 19

garments

H899

a covering, i.e., clothing

תִפְאַרְתֵּ֗ךְ8 of 19

thy beautiful

H8597

ornament (abstractly or concretely, literally or figuratively)

יְרוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙9 of 19

O Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

עִ֣יר10 of 19

city

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

הַקֹּ֔דֶשׁ11 of 19

the holy

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

כִּ֣י12 of 19
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

לֹ֥א13 of 19
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יוֹסִ֛יף14 of 19

for henceforth there shall no more

H3254

to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)

יָבֹא15 of 19

come

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

בָ֥ךְ16 of 19
H0
ע֖וֹד17 of 19
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

עָרֵ֥ל18 of 19

into thee the uncircumcised

H6189

properly, exposed, i.e., projecting loose (as to the prepuce); used only technically, uncircumcised (i.e., still having the prepuce uncurtailed)

וְטָמֵֽא׃19 of 19

and the unclean

H2931

foul in a religious sense


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 52:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 52:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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