Isaiah Chapter 52 · Verse 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.
Original Language Analysis
לִבְשִׁ֣י׀
put on
H3847
לִבְשִׁ֣י׀
put on
Strong's:
H3847
Word #:
3 of 19
properly, wrap around, i.e., (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe (oneself, or another), literally or figuratively
עֻזֵּ֖ךְ
thy strength
H5797
עֻזֵּ֖ךְ
thy strength
Strong's:
H5797
Word #:
4 of 19
strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise)
צִיּ֑וֹן
O Zion
H6726
צִיּ֑וֹן
O Zion
Strong's:
H6726
Word #:
5 of 19
tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem
לִבְשִׁ֣י׀
put on
H3847
לִבְשִׁ֣י׀
put on
Strong's:
H3847
Word #:
6 of 19
properly, wrap around, i.e., (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe (oneself, or another), literally or figuratively
תִפְאַרְתֵּ֗ךְ
thy beautiful
H8597
תִפְאַרְתֵּ֗ךְ
thy beautiful
Strong's:
H8597
Word #:
8 of 19
ornament (abstractly or concretely, literally or figuratively)
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙
O Jerusalem
H3389
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙
O Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
9 of 19
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
עִ֣יר
city
H5892
עִ֣יר
city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
10 of 19
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
הַקֹּ֔דֶשׁ
the holy
H6944
הַקֹּ֔דֶשׁ
the holy
Strong's:
H6944
Word #:
11 of 19
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
12 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
13 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יוֹסִ֛יף
for henceforth there shall no more
H3254
יוֹסִ֛יף
for henceforth there shall no more
Strong's:
H3254
Word #:
14 of 19
to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)
ע֖וֹד
H5750
ע֖וֹד
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
17 of 19
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
Cross References
Revelation 21:27And 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 51:17Awake, 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.Revelation 21:2And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.Zechariah 3:4And 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.Isaiah 51:9Awake, 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 35:8And 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 48:2For they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves upon the God of Israel; The LORD of hosts is his name.Romans 13:14But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.Matthew 4:5Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,Nahum 1:15Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off.
Historical Context
Post-exilic Jerusalem needed purification from Babylonian contamination. But complete fulfillment awaits the glorified church, Christ's pure bride 'without spot or wrinkle' (Ephesians 5:27). The call to 'awake' summons responsive faith to embrace promised restoration.
Questions for Reflection
- What spiritual 'beautiful garments' has Christ clothed you with to replace sin's filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6)?
- How does the promise that nothing unclean will enter the holy city motivate present pursuit of holiness?
Analysis & Commentary
The command 'Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion' calls Jerusalem from defilement to purity, from weakness to power. The promise 'there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean' depicts permanent holiness - fulfilled ultimately in New Jerusalem where 'nothing that defileth shall enter' (Revelation 21:27). The beautiful garments replace mourning, symbolizing joy after sorrow.