Isaiah 52:5
Now therefore, what have I here, saith the LORD, that my people is taken away for nought? they that rule over them make them to howl, saith the LORD; and my name continually every day is blasphemed.
Original Language Analysis
וְעַתָּ֤ה
H6258
מַה
H4100
מַה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
2 of 19
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
7 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֻקַּ֥ח
is taken away
H3947
לֻקַּ֥ח
is taken away
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
8 of 19
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
עַמִּ֖י
that my people
H5971
עַמִּ֖י
that my people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
9 of 19
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
חִנָּ֑ם
for nought
H2600
חִנָּ֑ם
for nought
Strong's:
H2600
Word #:
10 of 19
gratis, i.e., devoid of cost, reason or advantage
יְהֵילִ֙ילוּ֙
over them make them to howl
H3213
יְהֵילִ֙ילוּ֙
over them make them to howl
Strong's:
H3213
Word #:
12 of 19
to howl (with a wailing tone) or yell (with a boisterous one)
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
14 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְתָמִ֥יד
continually
H8548
וְתָמִ֥יד
continually
Strong's:
H8548
Word #:
15 of 19
properly, continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as adjective) constant (or adverbially, constantly); elliptically the re
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
16 of 19
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַיּ֖וֹם
every day
H3117
הַיּ֖וֹם
every day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
17 of 19
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
Historical Context
Babylonian mockery of captured Israel blasphemed Yahweh's name, suggesting He was weaker than Marduk. This provoked God's wrath and motivated Babylon's judgment. The principle applies to all persecution of believers - it is God who is ultimately attacked.
Questions for Reflection
- How does knowing that attacks on you as a Christian are actually attacks on Christ Himself comfort and embolden you?
- In what ways does the world's treatment of the church blaspheme God's name today?
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Analysis & Commentary
The question 'what have I here...that my people is taken away for nought?' expresses divine indignation at unjust oppression. The accusation that oppressors 'make them to howl' and 'my name continually is blasphemed' shows that persecution of God's people constitutes blasphemy against God. This establishes that the church's suffering is Christ's suffering (Acts 9:4 - 'why persecutest thou me?').