Isaiah 52:2
Shake thyself from the dust; arise, and sit down, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion.
Original Language Analysis
מֵעָפָ֛ר
thyself from the dust
H6083
מֵעָפָ֛ר
thyself from the dust
Strong's:
H6083
Word #:
2 of 11
dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud
ק֥וּמִי
arise
H6965
ק֥וּמִי
arise
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
3 of 11
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
שְּׁבִ֖י
and sit down
H3427
שְּׁבִ֖י
and sit down
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
4 of 11
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
יְרֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם
O Jerusalem
H3389
יְרֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם
O Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
5 of 11
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
הִֽתְפַּתְּחִו֙
loose
H6605
הִֽתְפַּתְּחִו֙
loose
Strong's:
H6605
Word #:
6 of 11
to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve
מוֹסְרֵ֣י
thyself from the bands
H4147
מוֹסְרֵ֣י
thyself from the bands
Strong's:
H4147
Word #:
7 of 11
properly, chastisement, i.e., (by implication) a halter; figuratively, restraint
צַוָּארֵ֔ךְ
of thy neck
H6677
צַוָּארֵ֔ךְ
of thy neck
Strong's:
H6677
Word #:
8 of 11
the back of the neck (as that on which burdens are bound)
שְׁבִיָּ֖ה
O captive
H7628
שְׁבִיָּ֖ה
O captive
Strong's:
H7628
Word #:
9 of 11
exiled; captured; as noun, exile (abstractly or concretely and collectively); by extension, booty
Cross References
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 51:50Ye that have escaped the sword, go away, stand not still: remember the LORD afar off, and let Jerusalem come into your mind.Isaiah 51:14The captive exile hasteneth that he may be loosed, and that he should not die in the pit, nor that his bread should fail.Isaiah 61:1The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;Luke 4:18The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,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.Zechariah 2:6Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the north, saith the LORD: for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith the LORD.
Historical Context
Returning exiles literally needed to shake off Babylon's dust and mindset. Spiritually, believers must actively reject old patterns despite being freed by Christ. The 'bands of thy neck' represents slavery's yoke removed by Cyrus temporarily, Christ permanently.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'dust' of your old life before Christ do you need to actively shake off despite being freed?
- How does understanding that God empowers you to loose your own bonds change your approach to sanctification?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The progression 'Shake thyself from the dust; arise, and sit down, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from the bands of thy neck' depicts active participation in deliverance. Though God saves, believers must 'shake' off captivity's mindset and 'loose' themselves from bondage. This illustrates the synergism of sanctification - God empowers, we act. The movement from dust (humiliation) to sitting (dignity) shows grace restoring status.