For this is what the Lord says: “When I sold you into exile, I received no payment. Now I can redeem you without having to pay for you.”
Parallel translations
- WEB For Yahweh says, “You were sold for nothing; and you will be redeemed without money.”
- KJV For thus saith the LORD, Ye have sold yourselves for nought; and ye shall be redeemed without money.
- BSB For this is what the LORD says: “You were sold for nothing, and without money you will be redeemed.”
- NKJV For thus says the Lord: “You have sold yourselves for nothing, And you shall be redeemed without money.”
- NASB For this is what the Lord says: “You were sold for nothing, and you will be redeemed without money.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Since God's people were sold for nothing, they will be redeemed without money, by God's grace alone.
Overview
Israel went into captivity without any price gained, so her redemption will likewise require no payment to her captors; God simply reclaims His own. The emphasis falls on grace rather than transaction with enemies. This points to gospel redemption, which is free to us yet costly to God, purchased not with silver or gold but with the precious blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18-19).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 6
- Isa 45:13I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will make straight all his ways. He shall build my city, and he shall let my exiles go free, not for price nor reward,” says Yahweh of Armies.
- 1 Pet 1:18knowing that you were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from the useless way of life handed down from your fathers,
- Ps 44:12You sell your people for nothing, and have gained nothing from their sale.
- Jer 15:13Your substance and your treasures will I give for a plunder without price, and that for all your sins, even in all your borders.
- Isa 50:1Yahweh says, “Where is the bill of your mother’s divorce, with which I have put her away? or to which of my creditors have I sold you? Behold, you were sold for your iniquities, and your mother was put away for your transgressions.
- Rom 7:14–25For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am fleshly, sold under sin.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Isaiah sees him most clearly: the virgin's son Immanuel, the child on David's throne, the shoot from Jesse, the light to the nations, and above all the Suffering Servant pierced for our transgressions (ch. 53).
How Isaiah 52:3 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.