Bible Strands
Isaiah 26:2
Open the gates so a righteous nation may enter—one that remains faithful.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The people of Judah sing this song in anticipation of a future day when God’s city stands secure. They address the city directly, issuing a command for it to prepare for divine intervention.
The words — פִּתְח֖וּ (pit.Chu) literally means "open," and צַדִּ֖יק (tza.Dik) translates to "righteous." These terms establish the conditional admission of those defined by moral integrity through the city's gates.
The thread — The motif of gates opening appears in Psalms 118:20, where the righteous enter the gate of the LORD, and in Isaiah 60:11, where open gates welcome the wealth of nations. Revelation 5:9 later echoes this access theme through the slain Lamb’s authority to open sealed scrolls.
Why it lands — The text commands readiness for a specific group defined by righteousness and faithfulness. It requires the reader to examine what conditions grant access to divine protection and to align conduct with those stated standards.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in.
Cross-references
- Revelation 5:9 And they sang a new song: “Worthy are You to take the scroll and open its seals, because You were slain, and by Your blood You purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.
- Psalms 118:20 This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it.
- Isaiah 60:11 Your gates will always stand open; they will never be shut, day or night, so that the wealth of the nations may be brought into you, with their kings being led in procession.
- 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
- Isaiah 62:10 Go out, go out through the gates; prepare the way for the people! Build it up, build up the highway; clear away the stones; raise a banner for the nations!
- Isaiah 62:2 Nations will see your righteousness, and all kings your glory. You will be called by a new name that the mouth of the LORD will bestow.
- Exodus 19:6 And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to speak to the Israelites.”
- Psalms 106:5 that I may see the prosperity of Your chosen ones, and rejoice in the gladness of Your nation, and give glory with Your inheritance.
- Isaiah 54:14 In righteousness you will be established, far from oppression, for you will have no fear. Terror will be far removed, for it will not come near you.
- Isaiah 60:21 Then all your people will be righteous; they will possess the land forever; they are the branch of My planting, the work of My hands, so that I may be glorified.