Isaiah 52:5
New International Version
“And now what do I have here?” declares the LORD. “For my people have been taken away for nothing, and those who rule them mock,” declares the LORD. “And all day long my name is constantly blasphemed.

New Living Translation
What is this?” asks the LORD. “Why are my people enslaved again? Those who rule them shout in exultation. My name is blasphemed all day long.

English Standard Version
Now therefore what have I here,” declares the LORD, “seeing that my people are taken away for nothing? Their rulers wail,” declares the LORD, “and continually all the day my name is despised.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Now therefore, what have I here,” says the LORD, “That My people are taken away for nothing? Those who rule over them Make them wail,” says the LORD, “And My name is blasphemed continually every day.

New American Standard Bible
And now, what do I have here,” declares the LORD, “seeing that My people have been taken away without reason?” Again the LORD declares, “Those who rule over them howl, and My name is continually reviled all day long.

NASB 1995
“Now therefore, what do I have here,” declares the LORD, “seeing that My people have been taken away without cause?” Again the LORD declares, “Those who rule over them howl, and My name is continually blasphemed all day long.

NASB 1977
“Now therefore, what do I have here,” declares the LORD, “seeing that My people have been taken away without cause?” Again the LORD declares, “Those who rule over them howl, and My name is continually blasphemed all day long.

Legacy Standard Bible
So now, what do I have here,” declares Yahweh, “since My people have been taken away for nothing?” Yahweh declares, “Those who rule over them howl, and My name is continually blasphemed all day long.

Amplified Bible
But now, what do I have here,” declares the LORD, “seeing that My people have been taken away without reason? Those who rule over them howl [with taunting and mockery of salvation],” declares the LORD, “and My name is continually blasphemed all day long.

Christian Standard Bible
So now what have I here” — this is the LORD’s declaration — “that my people are taken away for nothing? Its rulers wail” — this is the LORD’s declaration — “and my name is continually blasphemed all day long.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So now what have I here"— this is the LORD’s declaration—” that My people are taken away for nothing? Its rulers wail"— this is the LORD’s declaration—” and My name is continually blasphemed all day long.

American Standard Version
Now therefore, what do I here, saith Jehovah, seeing that my people is taken away for nought? they that rule over them do howl, saith Jehovah, and my name continually all the day is blasphemed.

Contemporary English Version
and now another nation has taken you prisoner for no reason at all. Your leaders groan with pain, and day after day my own name is cursed.

English Revised Version
Now therefore, what do I here, saith the LORD, seeing that my people is taken away for nought? they that rule over them do howl, saith the LORD, and my name continually all the day is blasphemed.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So what do I find here? asks the LORD. My people are taken away for no reason. Their rulers are screaming, declares the LORD. And my name is cursed all day long.

Good News Translation
And now in Babylonia the same thing has happened: you are captives, and nothing was paid for you. Those who rule over you boast and brag and constantly show contempt for me.

International Standard Version
"Now therefore, what am I doing here," asks the LORD, "seeing that my people are taken away without cause? Those who rule over them are deluded," says the LORD, "and continuously, all the day long, my name is blasphemed.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
And now, what do we have here?" says the LORD. "Indeed my people have been carried away for nothing, those who rule over them taunt," says the LORD, "and my name is constantly slandered all day long.

New Heart English Bible
"Now therefore, what do I do here," says the LORD, "seeing that my people are taken away for nothing? Those who rule over them mock," says the LORD, "and because of you my name is continually all the day blasphemed among the nations.

Webster's Bible Translation
Now therefore, what have I here, saith the LORD, that my people is taken away for naught? they that rule over them make them to howl, saith the LORD; and my name continually every day is blasphemed.

World English Bible
“Now therefore, what do I do here,” says Yahweh, “seeing that my people are taken away for nothing? Those who rule over them mock,” says Yahweh, “and my name is blasphemed continually all day long.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And now, what [have] I here,” "" A declaration of YHWH, "" “That My people are taken for nothing? Its rulers cause howling,” "" A declaration of YHWH, "" “And My Name is continually despised all the day.

Young's Literal Translation
And now, what -- to Me here, An affirmation of Jehovah, That taken is My people for nought? Its rulers cause howling, -- an affirmation of Jehovah, And continually all the day My name is despised.

Smith's Literal Translation
And now what to me here, says Jehovah, that my people were taken gratuitously? ruling, they will cause to give a sharp sound, says Jehovah; and continually all the day my name being despised.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And now what have I here, saith the Lord: for my people is taken away gratis. They that rule over them treat them unjustly, saith the Lord, and my name is continually blasphemed all the day long.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And now, what is left for me here, says the Lord? For my people have been taken away without cause. Their lords treat them unjustly, says the Lord. And my name is being continually blasphemed all day long.

New American Bible
But now, what am I to do here? —oracle of the LORD. My people have been taken away for nothing; their rulers mock, oracle of the LORD; constantly, every day, my name is reviled.

New Revised Standard Version
Now therefore what am I doing here, says the LORD, seeing that my people are taken away without cause? Their rulers howl, says the LORD, and continually, all day long, my name is despised.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Now therefore, what have I here, says the LORD, that my people have been carried away for nought? Their rulers make them to wail, says the LORD; and my name continually all the day is blasphemed.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And now, what do I have here, says LORD JEHOVAH, that my people is taken without charge? Their Rulers wail, says LORD JEHOVAH, and they are blaspheming faithfully every day against my name
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Now therefore, what do I here, saith the LORD, Seeing that My people is taken away for nought? They that rule over them do howl, saith the LORD, And My name continually all the day is blasphemed.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And now why are ye here? Thus saith the Lord, Because my people was taken for nothing, wonder ye and howl. Thus saith the Lord, On account of you my name is continually blasphemed among the Gentiles.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Deliverance for Jerusalem
4For this is what the Lord GOD says: “At first My people went down to Egypt to live, then Assyria oppressed them without cause. 5And 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. 6Therefore My people will know My name; therefore they will know on that day that I am He who speaks. Here I am!”…

Cross References
Exodus 5:2
But Pharaoh replied, “Who is the LORD that I should obey His voice and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, and I will not let Israel go.”

2 Kings 19:22-23
Whom have you taunted and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel! / Through your servants you have taunted the Lord, and you have said: “With my many chariots I have ascended to the heights of the mountains, to the remote peaks of Lebanon. I have cut down its tallest cedars, the finest of its cypresses. I have reached its farthest outposts, the densest of its forests.

Nehemiah 9:26-27
But they were disobedient and rebelled against You; they flung Your law behind their backs. They killed Your prophets, who had admonished them to return to You. They committed terrible blasphemies. / So You delivered them into the hands of enemies who oppressed them, and in their time of distress they cried out to You. From heaven You heard them, and in Your great compassion You gave them deliverers who saved them from the hands of their enemies.

Jeremiah 50:7
All who found them devoured them, and their enemies said, ‘We are not guilty, for they have sinned against the LORD, their true pasture, the LORD, the hope of their fathers.’

Ezekiel 36:20-23
And wherever they went among the nations, they profaned My holy name, because it was said of them, ‘These are the people of the LORD, yet they had to leave His land.’ / But I had concern for My holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations to which they had gone. / Therefore tell the house of Israel that this is what the Lord GOD says: It is not for your sake that I will act, O house of Israel, but for My holy name, which you profaned among the nations to which you went. ...

Psalm 74:10
How long, O God, will the enemy taunt You? Will the foe revile Your name forever?

Psalm 79:10
Why should the nations ask, “Where is their God?” Before our eyes, make known among the nations Your vengeance for the bloodshed of Your servants.

Psalm 89:51
how Your enemies have taunted, O LORD, and have mocked every step of Your anointed one!

Lamentations 1:7
In the days of her affliction and wandering Jerusalem remembers all the treasures that were hers in days of old. When her people fell into enemy hands she received no help. Her enemies looked upon her, laughing at her downfall.

Lamentations 2:15-16
All who pass by clap their hands at you in scorn. They hiss and shake their heads at the Daughter of Jerusalem: “Is this the city that was called the perfection of beauty, the joy of all the earth?” / All your enemies open their mouths against you. They hiss and gnash their teeth, saying, “We have swallowed her up. This is the day for which we have waited. We have lived to see it!”

Romans 2:24
As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

1 Peter 2:12
Conduct yourselves with such honor among the Gentiles that, though they slander you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.

Revelation 11:2
But exclude the courtyard outside the temple. Do not measure it, because it has been given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for 42 months.

Matthew 5:11-12
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. / Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.

Luke 21:24
They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive into all the nations. And Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.


Treasury of Scripture

Now therefore, what have I here, said the LORD, that my people is taken away for nothing? they that rule over them make them to howl, said the LORD; and my name continually every day is blasphemed.

what

Isaiah 22:16
What hast thou here? and whom hast thou here, that thou hast hewed thee out a sepulchre here, as he that heweth him out a sepulchre on high, and that graveth an habitation for himself in a rock?

Judges 18:3
When they were by the house of Micah, they knew the voice of the young man the Levite: and they turned in thither, and said unto him, Who brought thee hither? and what makest thou in this place? and what hast thou here?

people

Isaiah 52:3
For thus saith the LORD, Ye have sold yourselves for nought; and ye shall be redeemed without money.

Psalm 44:12
Thou sellest thy people for nought, and dost not increase thy wealth by their price.

make

Isaiah 47:6
I was wroth with my people, I have polluted mine inheritance, and given them into thine hand: thou didst shew them no mercy; upon the ancient hast thou very heavily laid thy yoke.

Isaiah 51:20,23
Thy sons have fainted, they lie at the head of all the streets, as a wild bull in a net: they are full of the fury of the LORD, the rebuke of thy God…

Exodus 1:13-16
And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour: …

my name

Isaiah 37:6,28
And Isaiah said unto them, Thus shall ye say unto your master, Thus saith the LORD, Be not afraid of the words that thou hast heard, wherewith the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me…

Psalm 44:16
For the voice of him that reproacheth and blasphemeth; by reason of the enemy and avenger.

Psalm 74:10,18,22,23
O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever? …

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Blasphemed Cause Constantly Continually Cries Declares Despised Howl Mock Nations Naught Nought Rule Rulers Sorrow Wail Waste
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Blasphemed Cause Constantly Continually Cries Declares Despised Howl Mock Nations Naught Nought Rule Rulers Sorrow Wail Waste
Isaiah 52
1. Christ persuades the church to believe his free redemption
7. To receive the ministers thereof
9. To joy in the power thereof
11. And to free themselves from bondage
13. Christ's kingdom shall be exalted














And now what do I have here?” declares the LORD
This phrase opens with a divine inquiry, suggesting a moment of reflection and assessment by God. The Hebrew word for "now" (וְעַתָּה, ve'atah) indicates a transition or a pivotal moment. It is as if God is pausing to consider the current state of His people. The phrase "declares the LORD" (נְאֻם־יְהוָה, ne'um-YHWH) is a prophetic formula that underscores the authority and seriousness of the message. It reminds us that the words are not merely human observations but divine pronouncements, calling the audience to pay close attention.

“For My people have been taken away for nothing
The phrase "My people" (עַמִּי, ammi) is deeply personal, reflecting God's covenant relationship with Israel. The term "taken away" (לֻקָּח, luqqach) suggests a forceful removal, often associated with exile or captivity. The addition of "for nothing" (חִנָּם, chinnam) implies that the people were taken without cause or compensation, highlighting the injustice of their situation. Historically, this can be linked to the Babylonian exile, where the Israelites were uprooted from their land without any legitimate reason, emphasizing the theme of undeserved suffering.

those who rule them taunt,” declares the LORD
The rulers or oppressors (מֹשְׁלָיו, moshelav) are depicted as taunting or mocking the Israelites. The Hebrew root for "taunt" (יָהֵל, yahel) conveys a sense of derision and scorn. This reflects the historical context of Israel's subjugation under foreign powers, where their captors would often ridicule their faith and identity. The repetition of "declares the LORD" reinforces the certainty and gravity of the situation, as God Himself acknowledges the plight of His people.

“and My name is continually blasphemed all day long.”
The phrase "My name" (שְׁמִי, shemi) represents God's character and reputation. In Hebrew culture, a name is more than a label; it embodies the essence and authority of the person. The term "blasphemed" (מְנֹאָץ, menotz) indicates a profaning or disrespecting of what is sacred. The continuous nature of this blasphemy ("all day long") suggests a persistent and pervasive dishonor towards God, likely exacerbated by the suffering and humiliation of His people. This reflects a broader spiritual crisis, where the actions of the oppressors lead to a misrepresentation of God's power and holiness.

(5) What have I here . . .?--i.e., What have I to do? As in Genesis 11:4, Jehovah is represented as deliberating after the manner of men. Again the people have been gratuitously, wantonly attacked; and their groans mingle with the taunting blasphemies of their conquerors. Has not the time come for Him to vindicate His outraged Majesty?

Verse 5. - What have I here? rather, what have r to do here? i.e. what is the task before me - the work that I have to perform? There are three principal considerations by which the answer to this question has to be determined.

(1) The Babylonians have obtained possession of the Israelites without purchase - for nought;

(2) they use their authority harshly and brutally; and

(3) they continually blaspheme the Name of Jehovah. All three are grounds for bringing the captivity to an end, and coming forward with the cry of a deliverer, "Here I am." Make them to howl; rather, howl; i.e. insult over the captives with shouts and yells of triumph. The prophet is speaking of the Babylonian oppressors, not of the native "rulers," who exercised a certain amount of authority over the captives (see Delitzsch and Cheyne). My Name... is blasphemed. Cruel taskmasters vexed the captives by insulting their God.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And now
וְעַתָּ֤ה (wə·‘at·tāh)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 6258: At this time

what
מַה־ (mah-)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

have I here?
פֹה֙ (p̄ōh)
Adverb
Strong's 6311: This place, here

declares
נְאֻם־ (nə·’um-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5002: An oracle

the LORD.
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

For
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

My people
עַמִּ֖י (‘am·mî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

have been taken
לֻקַּ֥ח (luq·qaḥ)
Verb - QalPass - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

without cause;
חִנָּ֑ם (ḥin·nām)
Adverb
Strong's 2600: Gratis, devoid of cost, reason, advantage

those who rule
מֹשְׁלָ֤יו (mō·šə·lāw)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4910: To rule, have dominion, reign

them
0 (0)
0
Strong's Hebrew

taunt,
יְהֵילִ֙ילוּ֙ (yə·hê·lî·lū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3213: To howl, make a howling

declares
נְאֻם־ (nə·’um-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5002: An oracle

the LORD,
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

and My name
שְׁמִ֥י (šə·mî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 8034: A name

[is] blasphemed
מִנֹּאָֽץ׃ (min·nō·’āṣ)
Preposition-m | Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5006: To spurn, treat with contempt

all day long.
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 52:5 Now therefore what do I here says (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 52:4
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