Isaiah 52:4

For thus saith the Lord GOD, My people went down aforetime into Egypt to sojourn there; and the Assyrian oppressed them without cause.

For thus saith {H559} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}, My people {H5971} went down {H3381} aforetime {H7223} into Egypt {H4714} to sojourn {H1481} there; and the Assyrian {H804} oppressed {H6231} them without cause {H657}.

For thus says Adonai ELOHIM: "Long ago my people went down to Egypt to live there as aliens, and Ashur oppressed them for no reason.

For this is what the Lord GOD says: “At first My people went down to Egypt to live, then Assyria oppressed them without cause.

For thus saith the Lord Jehovah, My people went down at the first into Egypt to sojourn there: and the Assyrian hath oppressed them without cause.

Commentary on Isaiah 52:4 (KJV)

Isaiah 52:4 serves as a powerful reminder of God's historical interaction with His people, highlighting past periods of oppression and setting the stage for a glorious future deliverance. The verse grounds the prophecy in factual historical events, underscoring the Lord's unwavering awareness of His people's suffering.

Context

This verse is part of a broader prophetic section (Isaiah 52:1-12) that heralds Jerusalem's awakening from distress and her ultimate redemption. Following chapters that emphasize God's sovereignty and comfort for Israel, Isaiah 52 paints a vivid picture of liberation. By recalling the historical oppressions by Egypt and Assyria, the prophet establishes a pattern of God's people enduring hardship, often "without cause," which then sets the stage for God's magnificent intervention and the proclamation of good tidings.

Key Themes

  • Divine Authority and Remembrance: The opening phrase, "For thus saith the Lord GOD," immediately establishes the divine origin and authoritative nature of the message. It signifies that God is speaking directly, recalling the significant historical events of His people's past sufferings.
  • Historical Pattern of Oppression: The verse explicitly mentions two major oppressive powers in ancient Israel's history: Egypt and Assyria. The reference to Egypt recalls the centuries of bondage before the Exodus (see Exodus 1:11), while the Assyrians represent the brutal conquest of the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the constant threat to Judah (as documented in 2 Kings 17:6).
  • Unjust Suffering: The crucial phrase "without cause" emphasizes the unprovoked and unjust nature of the Assyrian oppression. This highlights the innocence of God's people in the face of this particular suffering, contrasting it with periods where their suffering was a consequence of their disobedience.
  • Anticipation of Deliverance: By reminding the audience of past oppressions, the prophet builds anticipation for God's subsequent acts of deliverance, reinforcing the theme that God always intervenes for His people.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Lord GOD" (`Adonai Yahweh`): This powerful Hebrew designation combines `Adonai`, meaning "Sovereign Master," with `Yahweh`, the personal, covenant name of God. It underscores both God's absolute authority over history and His faithful relationship with His chosen people.
  • "sojourn" (`gur`): The word used for Israel's initial descent into Egypt implies a temporary stay or dwelling as a foreigner. This highlights that their long period of enslavement was a deviation from God's original intent for their time in Egypt.
  • "without cause" (`chinam`): This significant term denotes something done "for nothing," "gratuitously," or "undeservedly." It powerfully conveys the unjust nature of the Assyrian aggression against God's people, emphasizing that their suffering was not a direct punishment for sin at that specific moment but an unprovoked act of tyranny.

Practical Application

Isaiah 52:4 offers enduring comfort and hope for believers today. Firstly, it reminds us that God is intimately aware of our suffering, even when it feels unjust or "without cause." He remembers every historical and personal trial. Secondly, it underscores God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Just as He delivered His people from the powerful empires of Egypt and Assyria, He is able to bring liberation and restoration to our lives, even when circumstances seem overwhelming. This verse encourages us to trust in God's sovereign plan and His ultimate vindication of His people, providing a foundation for hope amidst adversity.

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.

  • Genesis 46:6

    And they took their cattle, and their goods, which they had gotten in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob, and all his seed with him:

  • Psalms 69:4

    They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, [being] mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored [that] which I took not away.

  • Acts 7:14

    Then sent Joseph, and called his father Jacob to [him], and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls.

  • Acts 7:15

    So Jacob went down into Egypt, and died, he, and our fathers,

  • Job 2:3

    And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that [there is] none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.

  • Psalms 25:3

    Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.

  • Isaiah 14:25

    That I will break the Assyrian in my land, and upon my mountains tread him under foot: then shall his yoke depart from off them, and his burden depart from off their shoulders.

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