Isaiah 52:5

And now what have I here? declares the LORD. For My people have been taken without cause; those who rule them taunt, declares the LORD, and My name is blasphemed continually all day long.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The LORD addresses Israel regarding their current oppression, contrasting their past enslavement in Egypt and Assyria with their present condition.

The words — נְאֻם־יְהוָה (ne.'um-Yah.weh) translates literally as "utterance of Yahweh," framing the declaration as divine speech, while לֻקַּח עַמִּי (lu.Kach 'a.Mi) means "my people were taken," emphasizing their forced removal.

The thread — The theme of God’s name being blasphemed because of His people appears in Romans 2:24, and the motif of oppression without cause connects to the earlier mention of Assyrian and Egyptian bondage in Isaiah 52:4.

Why it lands — The text demands recognition that foreign rulers’ taunts against Israel directly profane God’s reputation, requiring readers to acknowledge that divine justice will ultimately vindicate His name.

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

וְעַתָּ֤הve./'a.Tahand/ therefore מַה־mi-what?לִּיl/i-[belongs] to/ meפֹה֙fohhere נְאֻם־ne.'um-[the] utterance of יְהוָ֔הYah.wehYahweh כִּֽי־ki-that לֻקַּ֥חlu.Kachit was taken עַמִּ֖י'a.M/ipeople/ my חִנָּ֑םchi.Namfor nothing מֹשְׁלָ֤יוmo.she.lo/vrulers/ its יְהֵילִ֙ילוּ֙ye.hei.Li.luthey wail נְאֻם־ne.'um-[the] utterance of יְהוָ֔הYah.wehYahweh וְתָמִ֥ידve./ta.Midand/ continually כָּל־kol-all הַיּ֖וֹםhai./Yomthe/ day שְׁמִ֥יshe.M/iname/ my מִנֹּאָֽץ׃mi.no.'Atz[is] reviled

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

Romans 2:24 As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”
Exodus 1:13 They worked the Israelites ruthlessly
Exodus 2:23 After a long time, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned and cried out under their burden of slavery, and their cry for deliverance from bondage ascended to God.
Exodus 3:7 The LORD said, “I have indeed seen the affliction of My people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their oppressors, and I am aware of their sufferings.
Judges 18:3 And while they were near Micah’s house, they recognized the voice of the young Levite; so they went over and asked him, “Who brought you here? What are you doing in this place? Why are you here?”
Psalms 44:12 You sell Your people for nothing; no profit do You gain from their sale.
Psalms 44:16 at the voice of the scorner and reviler, because of the enemy, bent on revenge.
Psalms 74:10 How long, O God, will the enemy taunt You? Will the foe revile Your name forever?
Psalms 74:18 Remember how the enemy has mocked You, O LORD, how a foolish people has spurned Your name.
Psalms 74:22 Rise up, O God; defend Your cause! Remember how the fool mocks You all day long.