Isaiah 52:3

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

For thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}, Ye have sold {H4376} yourselves for nought {H2600}; and ye shall be redeemed {H1350} without money {H3701}.

For thus says ADONAI: "You were sold for nothing, and you will be redeemed without money."

For this is what the LORD says: β€œYou were sold for nothing, and without money you will be redeemed.”

For thus saith Jehovah, Ye were sold for nought; and ye shall be redeemed without money.

Commentary

Isaiah 52:3 delivers a powerful message of divine grace and unmerited favor, spoken to a people in distress. It stands as a beacon of hope, assuring God's intervention on behalf of His captive people.

Context

This verse is situated within the "Book of Comfort" (Isaiah 40-55), a section of Isaiah primarily addressed to the Israelites during their Babylonian exile. They had been taken captive due to their disobedience and idolatry, a situation that felt like they had "sold themselves" into servitude. The prophet Isaiah is delivering a message of restoration, promising release from this bondage, not through human negotiation or payment, but through God's sovereign act. This promise anticipates their return from captivity and a new era of spiritual freedom.

Key Themes

  • Divine Redemption: The core message is God's unwavering commitment to redeem His people. Unlike human transactions, this redemption is not earned or bought by the captives. It is a unilateral act of divine power and love.
  • Worthlessness of Sin: "Sold yourselves for nought" highlights the futility and emptiness of turning away from God and pursuing worldly paths or idolatry, which ultimately lead to spiritual and physical bondage without any true gain. Their choices led to a state of being enslaved for no profit.
  • Unmerited Grace: The phrase "redeemed without money" underscores the nature of God's grace. Salvation and deliverance are not commodities to be purchased, but free gifts extended out of His boundless love and power. This principle foreshadows the ultimate redemption found in Christ, which is given freely by grace through faith, not by works.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "redeemed" here is ga'al (Χ’ΦΈΦΌΧΦ·Χœ), which carries the rich connotation of a "kinsman-redeemer" or "go'el" – one who steps in to buy back or liberate a relative from slavery, debt, or distress. The striking aspect in this verse is that this act of redemption is "without money" (b'lo' kesef), emphasizing that God's deliverance is not contingent on any human payment or merit. It is an act of pure, sovereign grace. This concept profoundly foreshadows the New Testament understanding of redemption, where humanity is redeemed not with corruptible things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, the ultimate "price" paid by God Himself.

Practical Application

Isaiah 52:3 offers profound comfort and challenge for believers today. It reminds us that:

  • Our spiritual bondage to sin was something we "sold ourselves" into, gaining nothing of eternal value (Romans 6:23). The emptiness of a life apart from God is clearly stated.
  • God's redemption, through Jesus Christ, is a completely free gift to us. While we were "bought with a price" (1 Corinthians 6:20), that price was paid by Christ, not by us. Our salvation is not earned by our efforts, good deeds, or financial contributions.
  • We are called to live in the freedom of this unmerited redemption, recognizing the immense love and grace of God who liberates us from the consequences of our past choices and the power of sin. This verse encourages us to trust in God's provision rather than our own limited resources.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 45:13 (9 votes)

    I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward, saith the LORD of hosts.

  • 1 Peter 1:18 (8 votes)

    Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, [as] silver and gold, from your vain conversation [received] by tradition from your fathers;

  • Psalms 44:12 (6 votes)

    Thou sellest thy people for nought, and dost not increase [thy wealth] by their price.

  • Isaiah 50:1 (3 votes)

    ΒΆ Thus saith the LORD, Where [is] the bill of your mother's divorcement, whom I have put away? or which of my creditors [is it] to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away.

  • Jeremiah 15:13 (3 votes)

    Thy substance and thy treasures will I give to the spoil without price, and [that] for all thy sins, even in all thy borders.

  • Romans 7:14 (2 votes)

    ΒΆ For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

  • Romans 7:25 (2 votes)

    I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.