Isaiah 48:20
Go ye forth of Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans, with a voice of singing declare ye, tell this, utter it even to the end of the earth; say ye, The LORD hath redeemed his servant Jacob.
Original Language Analysis
הוֹצִיא֖וּהָ
Go ye forth
H3318
הוֹצִיא֖וּהָ
Go ye forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
1 of 18
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
מִבָּבֶל֮
of Babylon
H894
מִבָּבֶל֮
of Babylon
Strong's:
H894
Word #:
2 of 18
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
מִכַּשְׂדִּים֒
ye from the Chaldeans
H3778
מִכַּשְׂדִּים֒
ye from the Chaldeans
Strong's:
H3778
Word #:
4 of 18
a kasdite, or descendant of kesed; by implication, a chaldaean (as if so descended); also an astrologer (as if proverbial of that people
רִנָּ֗ה
of singing
H7440
רִנָּ֗ה
of singing
Strong's:
H7440
Word #:
6 of 18
properly, a creaking (or shrill sound), i.e., shout (of joy or grief)
הַגִּ֤ידוּ
declare
H5046
הַגִּ֤ידוּ
declare
Strong's:
H5046
Word #:
7 of 18
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
הַשְׁמִ֙יעוּ֙
ye tell
H8085
הַשְׁמִ֙יעוּ֙
ye tell
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
8 of 18
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
הוֹצִיא֖וּהָ
Go ye forth
H3318
הוֹצִיא֖וּהָ
Go ye forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
10 of 18
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
11 of 18
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
גָּאַ֥ל
hath redeemed
H1350
גָּאַ֥ל
hath redeemed
Strong's:
H1350
Word #:
15 of 18
to redeem (according to the middle eastern law of kinship), i.e., to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry his wido
Cross References
Isaiah 52:9Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the LORD hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem.Jeremiah 51:45My people, go ye out of the midst of her, and deliver ye every man his soul from the fierce anger of the LORD.Jeremiah 51:6Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the LORD'S vengeance; he will render unto her a recompence.Jeremiah 50:8Remove out of the midst of Babylon, and go forth out of the land of the Chaldeans, and be as the he goats before the flocks.Revelation 18:4And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.Isaiah 63:9In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.Isaiah 26:1In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks.Isaiah 49:13Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.
Historical Context
Cyrus conquered Babylon (539 BC) and issued a decree allowing Jewish return (Ezra 1:1-4). About 50,000 returned under Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:64-65). Many remained in Babylon, comfortable in exile—to them Isaiah's 'flee!' applied. The New Testament uses Babylon as code for Rome (1 Peter 5:13) and for the world system opposed to God (Revelation 17-18), extending the exodus metaphor to Christian experience.
Questions for Reflection
- What modern 'Babylons' do Christians need to 'flee from'—cultural systems, value structures, worldly entanglements?
- How does the exodus pattern (slavery, redemption, wilderness, promise) structure Christian testimony and experience?
- Why must proclamation of redemption be public ('declare ye, tell this') rather than private religious experience?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Go ye forth of Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans (צְאוּ מִבָּבֶל בִּרְחוּ מִכַּשְׂדִּים)—The imperatives tse'u (go out) and birchu (flee) command urgent exodus from Babylon. Written 150 years before Babylon's rise, this prophecy anticipates Cyrus's decree (539 BC) allowing Jewish return. With a voice of singing declare ye, tell this—The exodus shouldn't be silent retreat but vocal testimony. The verbs haggidu (declare) and hotzi'u (bring forth, publish) mean proclaim internationally. Utter it even to the end of the earth—To qetseh ha-arets (end of earth), broadcast the message: say ye, The LORD hath redeemed his servant Jacob.
The verb ga'al (redeem) is kinsman-redeemer language—God as nearest relative buying back enslaved family. This typological exodus prefigures multiple fulfillments:
Each generation hears the command: flee from systems opposed to God, proclaim redemption, and live as liberated people. The Christian life is exodus-shaped: saved from bondage, journeying toward promised rest.