Isaiah 52:4

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 52:4 presents a profound prophetic declaration from the Lord GOD, establishing a divine precedent for future deliverance by recalling the historical suffering of His people. The verse explicitly references two significant periods of past oppression: the initial sojourn in Egypt, which tragically devolved into prolonged bondage, and the more recent, unprovoked subjugation by the formidable Assyrian empire. By highlighting these enduring historical injustices, the prophet Isaiah underscores God's unwavering awareness of His people's plight and His ultimate commitment to their liberation, thereby preparing the audience for the glorious redemption announced in the subsequent verses.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 52:4 is strategically placed within the "Book of Comfort" (Isaiah 40-66), a section brimming with themes of restoration, hope, and the glorious return of God's people from Babylonian exile. This particular verse is part of a larger prophetic oracle (Isaiah 52:1-12) that issues an urgent call for Jerusalem to "awake, awake!" and prepare for her impending liberation. The preceding verses (e.g., [Isaiah 51:17-23](/isaiah/51-17-23 "Jerusalem's Past Suffering and Future Deliverance")) vividly portray Jerusalem's past suffering as having drunk the "cup of wrath," which is now being removed from her hand. By recounting these foundational historical oppressions in verse 4, the prophet grounds the present promise of deliverance in God's consistent pattern of rescuing His people from affliction, establishing a robust historical continuity for divine faithfulness before the grand proclamation of the good news of salvation in [Isaiah 52:7](/isaiah/52-7 "The Messenger of Good News").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop of Isaiah 52:4 spans centuries of Israelite experience, encompassing two distinct yet equally impactful periods of foreign domination. The reference to "Egypt" immediately evokes the foundational narrative of the Exodus, where Jacob's family initially migrated to Egypt as temporary sojourners but eventually endured centuries of brutal enslavement before God's miraculous deliverance (cf. [Exodus 1:8-14](/exodus/1-8 "Oppression in Egypt")). The mention of "the Assyrian" points to a much more recent and devastating period for Isaiah's original audience in Judah. The Neo-Assyrian Empire, a dominant power in the 8th and 7th centuries BCE, was infamous for its brutal military campaigns, forced deportations, and systematic oppression. Assyria had conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel in 722 BCE, leading its inhabitants into exile (as recounted in [2 Kings 17:6](/2_kings/17-6 "The Fall of Samaria and Exile")), and had severely threatened Judah itself, even besieging Jerusalem during Hezekiah's reign (see [2 Kings 18:13-16](/2_kings/18-13-16 "Sennacherib's Invasion of Judah")). This dual historical reference underscores a recurring pattern of foreign domination and suffering for God's people, setting the stage for a new, ultimate deliverance from Babylonian exile, which is the immediate context for this section of Isaiah.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Isaiah. It reinforces the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Remembrance**, as the Lord GOD Himself declares His intimate awareness of past sufferings, demonstrating His active and compassionate involvement in the unfolding of history. It highlights the **Pattern of Oppression and Deliverance**, establishing a historical precedent where God's people endure hardship, often unjustly, only for God to intervene decisively and bring about liberation. The crucial phrase "without cause" introduces the theme of **Unjust Suffering**, distinguishing this particular oppression from those that might be understood as divine judgment for sin, thereby emphasizing the sheer gratuitousness and cruelty of the Assyrian tyranny. Ultimately, by recalling these historical deliverances, the verse builds profound anticipation for the grand theme of **Redemption and Restoration** that permeates [Isaiah 52](/isaiah/52 "Jerusalem's Redemption") and indeed the entire "Book of Comfort."

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Lord GOD (Hebrew, _ʼĂdônây Yᵉhôvih'_):** This powerful compound title, combining H136 and H3069, signifies the absolute sovereignty and unwavering covenant faithfulness of God. `ʼĂdônây` (Lord) emphasizes His role as the supreme and authoritative Master, while `Yᵉhôvih` (God, a vocalization of YHWH) points to His personal, covenantal name, underscoring His unchangeable commitment to His people. The combination asserts that the one speaking is both the ultimate ruler of all creation and the faithful God who remembers His promises to Israel.
* **sojourn (Hebrew, _gûwr'_):** Derived from H1481, this term describes the act of dwelling temporarily as a foreigner or guest in a place. When applied to Israel's initial descent into Egypt, it highlights that their presence there was intended to be provisional and transient. The subsequent enslavement was a profound deviation from this initial purpose, emphasizing the injustice of their prolonged bondage and God's eventual intervention to restore their rightful status and freedom.
* **oppressed (Hebrew, _ʻâshaq'_):** From H6231, this word means "to press upon," "defraud," "do violence," or "exploit." It conveys a sense of severe, burdensome, and illegitimate treatment. The use of this term vividly portrays the harsh reality of the Assyrian rule, characterized by exploitation, forced labor, and the systematic violation of rights, underscoring the severity and illegitimacy of their actions against God's people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For thus saith the Lord GOD,"**: This opening phrase functions as a solemn and authoritative divine oracle formula. It unequivocally establishes the source of the message as the Sovereign and Covenant-keeping God, signaling that what follows is not merely human observation or prophetic insight, but a direct, infallible declaration from the divine realm, lending immense weight and certainty to the subsequent historical review and future promise.
* **"My people went down aforetime into Egypt to sojourn there;"**: This clause serves as a foundational historical recollection, recalling the initial descent of Jacob's family into Egypt. The term "aforetime" emphasizes the distant past, highlighting the long-standing nature of God's relationship with His people, while "to sojourn" underscores the initial, intended temporary nature of their stay. This serves as a poignant reminder of God's providential leading and the subsequent deviation from that plan, which led to their enslavement, a situation God ultimately reversed through the Exodus.
* **"and the Assyrian oppressed them without cause."**: This second clause shifts to a more recent and equally painful historical experience. It explicitly identifies "the Assyrian" as the agent of oppression, referencing their brutal conquest and subjugation of the Northern Kingdom of Israel and their severe threat to Judah. The critical phrase "without cause" (Hebrew: `ʼepheç`) underscores the unprovoked and unjust nature of this specific suffering, distinguishing it from periods of divine judgment for Israel's sin and emphasizing the sheer gratuitousness of the Assyrian tyranny against a people who had not, in this instance, warranted such severe and unmerited punishment.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 52:4 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message with depth and impact. The primary device is **Historical Allusion**, where the prophet references the widely known and deeply significant historical events of the Israelite sojourn and bondage in Egypt, followed by the more recent and traumatic Assyrian oppression. This grounds the prophetic message in the tangible, collective experiences of the audience, making the divine word relatable and demonstrating God's consistent engagement with human history. The structure of the verse also exhibits a form of **Parallelism**, specifically a **Contrastive Juxtaposition**, by presenting two distinct historical periods of oppression. While both highlight suffering, the "sojourn" in Egypt implies an initial, perhaps less overtly hostile, intention that tragically devolved into oppression, whereas the Assyrian oppression is explicitly stated as being "without cause," highlighting its unprovoked brutality and injustice. This contrast subtly emphasizes the varying nature of the suffering endured by God's people throughout their history. Furthermore, the opening phrase, "For thus saith the Lord GOD," functions as an **Authoritative Declaration**, lending an undeniable weight of divine authority to the entire statement, ensuring the audience understands that this historical review is not mere commentary but an integral part of God's sovereign narrative and His unfolding redemptive plan.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 52:4 profoundly underscores God's intimate knowledge of His people's suffering throughout history, establishing a divine precedent for intervention and liberation. By recounting the ancient oppression in Egypt and the more recent, unprovoked cruelty of Assyria, the verse highlights that God is not distant or indifferent to the trials of humanity, particularly those endured by His chosen people. This divine remembrance is not passive; it serves as a theological foundation for the glorious promises of deliverance that follow, assuring the exiles that just as God acted decisively in the past, He will do so again. It affirms that God's faithfulness is not contingent on His people's perfect obedience but is rooted in His own covenant character and His unwavering commitment to justice and redemption. The "without cause" element is particularly significant, emphasizing that even when suffering is not a direct consequence of sin, God remains aware and will ultimately vindicate His own, demonstrating His compassion and sovereign power to reverse injustice.

* [Exodus 3:7-8](/exodus/3-7 "God Hears Israel's Cry")
* [Psalm 105:23-25](/psalms/105-23-25 "God's Remembrance of His Covenant")
* [Nahum 1:7-8](/nahum/1-7-8 "The Lord is Good, a Stronghold in the Day of Trouble")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 52:4 offers a powerful anchor for faith in times of inexplicable suffering, both personal and communal. It reminds us that our histories of hardship are not invisible to God; He remembers every "Egypt" and every "Assyrian" that has oppressed us, especially when the suffering feels "without cause" or utterly unjust. This divine remembrance is not passive; it is the prelude to His active intervention and ultimate deliverance. For believers today, this verse encourages a deep and abiding trust in God's sovereign plan, even when circumstances seem overwhelmingly unjust, overwhelming, or beyond our control. It calls us to recall God's past faithfulness in our own lives and in the broader sweep of redemptive history, strengthening our hope that the God who delivered Israel from powerful empires is fully capable of bringing liberation and restoration to our present struggles. This perspective fosters resilience, knowing that our suffering, however inexplicable, is held within the larger narrative of God's unwavering commitment to His people and His ultimate triumph over all forms of oppression, leading us to anticipate His redemptive work with expectant faith.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Egypts" or "Assyrians" in your life or in the world today feel like they are oppressing "without cause," and how might God be at work in those situations?**
* **How does remembering God's past interventions in history (both biblical and personal) strengthen your hope for present and future deliverance from various forms of oppression?**
* **In what ways can acknowledging God's awareness of our suffering lead to deeper trust and a more profound sense of His presence, rather than despair or disillusionment?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of mentioning both Egypt and Assyria in this single verse?**

Answer: The mention of both Egypt and Assyria is highly significant as it provides a comprehensive historical context for God's enduring relationship with Israel, particularly concerning their experiences of foreign oppression. Egypt represents the foundational narrative of Israel's initial sojourn and subsequent enslavement, from which God miraculously delivered them through the Exodus. This established a pattern of divine intervention and a precedent for God's faithfulness to His covenant. Assyria, on the other hand, represents a more recent and devastating empire that conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel and severely threatened Judah, leading to exile and immense suffering. By juxtaposing these two distinct periods, Isaiah 52:4 highlights a recurring pattern of God's people enduring hardship under powerful empires. It underscores God's unwavering awareness of their plight across centuries and sets a powerful precedent for the ultimate deliverance from Babylonian exile (the immediate context of [Isaiah 40-55](/isaiah/40-55 "The Book of Comfort")) and, ultimately, from all forms of spiritual bondage. It demonstrates that God's faithfulness is consistent throughout history, whether the oppression is ancient or contemporary, and whether it began as a "sojourn" or was "without cause." This dual reference reinforces the reliability of God's promise to liberate His people, drawing on a long history of His redemptive acts, as seen in the accounts of [the Exodus](/exodus/12 "The Passover and Exodus") and [the fall of Samaria](/2_kings/17 "The Fall of Samaria").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 52:4, with its poignant depiction of Israel's unjust suffering under oppressive powers, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Just as God's people suffered "without cause" under Assyria, so too did the Messiah suffer unjustly, bearing the sins of the world though He Himself was utterly sinless. The prophet Isaiah, in the very next chapter, vividly describes the suffering Servant, stating, "He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth" ([Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "The Suffering Servant")). This echoes the "without cause" suffering of Israel, but elevates it to a cosmic scale, as Christ's suffering was not for His own wrongdoing but for the redemption of humanity. His descent into death and the grave, like Israel's "going down" into Egypt, was a temporary sojourn into the realm of darkness, from which He emerged gloriously victorious through His resurrection. The ultimate "oppression" that humanity faced was the bondage to sin and death, a tyranny far greater and more pervasive than any earthly empire. Christ, the true [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb of God"), bore this ultimate oppression on the cross, thereby delivering His people from the spiritual "Assyrian" of sin and its eternal consequences. His victory ensures that all who are "in Christ" are no longer enslaved to sin but are brought into glorious freedom and an eternal inheritance, fulfilling the promise of ultimate liberation foreshadowed in Isaiah's ancient prophecy (cf. [Romans 8:2](/romans/8-2 "Freedom from the Law of Sin and Death") and [Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Delivered from the Domain of Darkness")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.