Bible Strands
Isaiah 52:3
For this is what the LORD says: “You were sold for nothing, and without money you will be redeemed.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Yahweh addresses captive Daughter Zion immediately after commanding her to rise and remove her chains. The declaration functions as the grounds for the deliverance promised in the preceding verse.
The words — חִנָּם (chi.Nam) translates literally to “for nothing” or “without cost,” while כֶּסֶף (khe.sef) means “silver” or “money.” The text states the people were sold without payment and will be redeemed without any monetary price.
The thread — The theme of God’s people being sold without profit and redeemed without material cost appears in Isaiah 45:13, Psalm 44:12, and 1 Peter 1:18. These passages link Israel’s historical release from oppression with the non-monetary nature of spiritual redemption.
Why it lands — The verse requires the reader to acknowledge that restoration is initiated and paid for by God alone, not by human wealth or merit. It demands trust that divine promises of deliverance stand regardless of human inability to pay.
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
For thus saith the Lord, Ye have sold yourselves for nought; and ye shall be redeemed without money.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 45:13 I will raise up Cyrus in righteousness, and I will make all his ways straight. He will rebuild My city and set My exiles free, but not for payment or reward, says the LORD of Hosts.”
- 1 Peter 1:18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers,
- Psalms 44:12 You sell Your people for nothing; no profit do You gain from their sale.
- Isaiah 50:1 This is what the LORD says: “Where is your mother’s certificate of divorce with which I sent her away? Or to which of My creditors did I sell you? Look, you were sold for your iniquities, and for your transgressions your mother was sent away.
- Jeremiah 15:13 Your wealth and your treasures I will give up as plunder, without charge for all your sins within all your borders.
- Romans 7:14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin.