Isaiah 52:1

¶ 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.

Awake {H5782}, awake {H5782}; put on {H3847} thy strength {H5797}, O Zion {H6726}; put on {H3847} thy beautiful {H8597} garments {H899}, O Jerusalem {H3389}, the holy {H6944} city {H5892}: for henceforth there shall no more {H3254} come {H935} into thee the uncircumcised {H6189} and the unclean {H2931}.

Awake! Awake, Tziyon! Clothe yourself with your strength! Dress in your splendid garments, Yerushalayim, the holy city! For the uncircumcised and the unclean will enter you no more.

Awake, awake, clothe yourself with strength, O Zion! Put on your garments of splendor, O Jerusalem, holy city! For the uncircumcised and unclean will no longer enter you.

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.

Context

Isaiah 52:1 is a powerful prophetic declaration, part of the "Book of Comfort" (Isaiah 40-66), which provides hope and promises of restoration to the Israelites during their Babylonian captivity. Following prophecies of judgment and suffering, this verse marks a pivotal shift, signaling the impending release from exile and the glorious future awaiting Jerusalem and God's people. It's a call for Zion to prepare for its liberation and renewed status as a holy city, free from the defilement of oppressors.

Key Themes

  • Divine Restoration and Renewal: The verse heralds God's promise to fully restore His people and their holy city, Jerusalem, to a state of glory and purity. It's a vision of recovery from past humiliation and oppression.
  • Call to Spiritual Awakening: The repeated command "Awake, awake" is an urgent summons for Jerusalem to shake off its spiritual lethargy and despair, to embrace the strength and dignity that God is bestowing upon it. This call extends to all of God's people to rise in faith and expectation.
  • Purity and Holiness: The promise that "henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean" signifies a future state of spiritual and moral purity for the city. This points towards a time when God's dwelling place will be completely consecrated and free from all defilement, a theme echoed in the description of the New Jerusalem where nothing unclean may enter.
  • Security and Protection: This verse assures divine protection, promising that foreign, unholy influences and enemies will no longer invade or defile Jerusalem. It underscores God's commitment to safeguard His chosen people and their sacred space.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Awake, awake" (Hebrew: 'Uri, 'uri) is a powerful double imperative, emphasizing the urgency and certainty of the command. It signifies a call to action and spiritual vigilance, similar to a person waking from a deep sleep or stupor.

"Zion" and "Jerusalem" are used synonymously, representing not only the physical city but also the people of God, the community of faith. "Put on thy strength" implies a divine empowerment, while "put on thy beautiful garments" suggests a restoration of dignity, honor, and perhaps even priestly or regal attire, symbolic of righteousness and salvation, as seen in Isaiah 61:10.

The terms "uncircumcised and the unclean" refer to those outside the covenant of God and those who are ritually or morally impure. This promise speaks to a future state where God's presence will bring complete purification and exclusion of all that defiles.

Practical Application

For believers today, Isaiah 52:1 serves as a profound call to spiritual awakening. We are encouraged to "awake" from spiritual slumber, apathy, or discouragement, and to "put on" the strength that comes from Christ. This involves embracing our identity as God's holy people, clothed in the righteousness of Christ, and living with the dignity and purpose He has given us. Just as ancient Jerusalem was promised purification, we are called to pursue personal holiness, knowing that God provides the power to overcome sin and defilement (1 Peter 1:15-16). The promise of security from the "unclean" reminds us that in God's kingdom, ultimate purity and peace will prevail, offering hope and encouragement in a world still grappling with impurity and conflict.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Revelation 21:27

    And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither [whatsoever] worketh abomination, or [maketh] a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

  • Isaiah 51:17

    ¶ Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, which hast drunk at the hand of the LORD the cup of his fury; thou hast drunken the dregs of the cup of trembling, [and] wrung [them] out.

  • Zechariah 3:4

    And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.

  • Revelation 21:2

    And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

  • Isaiah 51:9

    ¶ Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. [Art] thou not it that hath cut Rahab, [and] wounded the dragon?

  • Isaiah 35:8

    And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it [shall be] for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err [therein].

  • Isaiah 48:2

    For they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves upon the God of Israel; The LORD of hosts [is] his name.

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