King James Version

What Does Isaiah 52:10 Mean?

Isaiah 52:10 in the King James Version says “The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvati... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 52 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.

Isaiah 52:10 · KJV


Context

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.

9

Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the LORD hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem.

10

The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.

11

Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD.

12

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. be: Heb. gather you up


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The image 'The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations' depicts God rolling up His sleeve for action, publicly displaying power before watching world. The result 'all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God' shows that Israel's redemption serves as testimony to all peoples. God's mighty acts aren't private but public demonstrations of His character and power.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Cyrus's decree allowing Jewish return was international news, displaying God's sovereignty over empires. Ultimately, Christ's resurrection and gospel spread to 'ends of the earth' fulfill this - salvation is publicly, globally demonstrated, not hidden.

Reflection Questions

  1. How should knowing that God's salvation is meant to be seen by 'all nations' affect your public witness?
  2. What does God's 'bare arm' (exposed power) in your life testify about Him to watching unbelievers?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
חָשַׂ֤ף1 of 15

hath made bare

H2834

to strip off, i.e., generally to make naked (for exertion or in disgrace), to drain away or bail up (a liquid)

יְהוָה֙2 of 15

The LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֶת3 of 15
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

זְר֣וֹעַ4 of 15

arm

H2220

the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force

קָדְשׁ֔וֹ5 of 15

his holy

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

לְעֵינֵ֖י6 of 15

in the eyes

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

כָּל7 of 15
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַגּוֹיִ֑ם8 of 15

of all the nations

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

וְרָאוּ֙9 of 15

shall see

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

כָּל10 of 15
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אַפְסֵי11 of 15

and all the ends

H657

cessation, i.e., an end (especially of the earth); often used adverb, no further; also the ankle (in the dual), as being the extremity of the leg or f

אָ֔רֶץ12 of 15

of the earth

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֵ֖ת13 of 15
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יְשׁוּעַ֥ת14 of 15

the salvation

H3444

something saved, i.e., (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity

אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ׃15 of 15

of our God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of


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 52:10 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 52:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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