The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.

ISAIAH 52:10KJV
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Isaiah 52:10 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 52:10 mean?

Isaiah 52:10 says that the LORD has revealed His power openly to all nations, and that everyone, even those at the farthest reaches of the earth, will witness the salvation that comes from God. The verse emphasizes that God's saving action is not hidden or limited, but visible and available to the whole world.

In this part of Isaiah, the prophet is speaking to the people of Israel, who have experienced suffering and exile. The verse uses vivid language to show that God is acting in a way that everyone can see, making His "holy arm" visible as a sign of strength and deliverance. The focus is on God's public display of salvation, reaching beyond Israel to all peoples.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 52:10

  • "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God, highlighting that it is Israel's covenant God who is acting.
  • "made bare" (חָשַׂף, ḥāśaf): This word means to uncover or reveal. Here, it paints a picture of God rolling up His sleeves to act powerfully and openly.
  • "holy" (קָדוֹשׁ, qādôsh): This means set apart or sacred. God's arm is described as holy, emphasizing that His actions are pure and uniquely His.
  • "salvation" (יְשׁוּעָה, yĕshû‘āh): This word means rescue or deliverance. The verse stresses that what the nations will see is not just power, but God's saving help.

Why Isaiah 52:10 matters

  • Isaiah 52:10 clarifies that God's salvation is not a private or hidden event, but something meant for all nations to witness, breaking the idea that God only works within Israel.
  • The verse connects to the larger theme in Isaiah of God’s plan to bring hope and restoration not just to Israel, but to the entire world.
  • The image of God "making bare His holy arm" helps readers picture God’s intervention as active and unmistakable, not distant or passive.

Where else these words appear

“bare” Hebrew H2834 · used in 10 verses

  • Psalms 29:9 The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory.
  • Isaiah 47:2 Take the millstones, and grind meal: uncover thy locks, make bare the leg, uncover the thigh, pass over the rivers.
  • Ezekiel 4:7 Therefore thou shalt set thy face toward the siege of Jerusalem, and thine arm shall be uncovered, and thou shalt prophesy against it.

“ends” Hebrew H657 · used in 43 verses

  • Numbers 13:28 Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there.
  • Psalms 59:13 Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be: and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth. Selah.
  • Isaiah 45:22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.

“salvation” Hebrew H3444 · used in 77 verses

  • Genesis 49:18 I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD.
  • Psalms 42:5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
  • Psalms 118:21 I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.

“arm” Hebrew H2220 · used in 84 verses

  • Genesis 49:24 But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob;(from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)
  • Job 38:15 And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken.
  • Isaiah 59:16 And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.