Isaiah 52:3
New International Version
For this is what the LORD says: “You were sold for nothing, and without money you will be redeemed.”

New Living Translation
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.”

English Standard Version
For thus says the LORD: “You were sold for nothing, and you shall be redeemed without money.”

Berean Standard Bible
For this is what the LORD says: “You were sold for nothing, and without money you will be redeemed.”

King James Bible
For thus saith the LORD, Ye have sold yourselves for nought; and ye shall be redeemed without money.

New King James Version
For thus says the LORD: “You have sold yourselves for nothing, And you shall be redeemed without money.”

New American Standard Bible
For this is what the LORD says: “You were sold for nothing, and you will be redeemed without money.”

NASB 1995
For thus says the LORD, “You were sold for nothing and you will be redeemed without money.”

NASB 1977
For thus says the LORD, “You were sold for nothing and you will be redeemed without money.”

Legacy Standard Bible
For thus says Yahweh, “You were sold for nothing, and you will be redeemed without money.”

Amplified Bible
For the LORD says this, “You were sold for nothing and you will be redeemed, but not with money.”

Christian Standard Bible
For this is what the LORD says: “You were sold for nothing, and you will be redeemed without silver.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For this is what the LORD says:” You were sold for nothing, and you will be redeemed without silver.”

American Standard Version
For thus saith Jehovah, Ye were sold for nought; and ye shall be redeemed without money.

Contemporary English Version
The LORD says: My people, you were sold, but not for money; now you will be set free, but not for a payment.

English Revised Version
For thus saith the LORD, Ye were sold for nought; and ye shall be redeemed without money.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
This is what the LORD says: You were sold, but no price was paid. You will be bought back, but without money.

Good News Translation
The Sovereign LORD says to his people, "When you became slaves, no money was paid for you; in the same way nothing will be paid to set you free.

International Standard Version
For this is what the LORD says: "You were sold for nothing, and you'll be redeemed without money."

Majority Standard Bible
For this is what the LORD says: “You were sold for nothing, and without money you will be redeemed.”

NET Bible
For this is what the LORD says: "You were sold for nothing, and you will not be redeemed for money."

New Heart English Bible
For thus says the LORD, "You were sold for nothing; and you shall be redeemed without money."

Webster's Bible Translation
For thus saith the LORD, Ye have sold yourselves for naught; and ye shall be redeemed without money.

World English Bible
For Yahweh says, “You were sold for nothing; and you will be redeemed without money.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
For thus said YHWH: “You have been sold for nothing, "" And you are redeemed without money.”

Young's Literal Translation
For thus said Jehovah: 'For nought ye have been sold, And not by money are ye redeemed.'

Smith's Literal Translation
For thus said Jehovah, Ye sold yourselves gratuitously, and ye shall not be redeemed with silver.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For thus saith the Lord: You were sold gratis, and you shall be redeemed without money.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For thus says the Lord: You were sold for nothing, and you will be redeemed without money.

New American Bible
For thus says the LORD: For nothing you were sold, without money you shall be redeemed.

New Revised Standard Version
For thus says the LORD: You were sold for nothing, and you shall be redeemed without money.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For thus says the LORD: You were sold for nought; and you shall be redeemed without money.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because thus says LORD JEHOVAH: “You have been bought without charge, and you shall be saved, not with silver
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For thus saith the LORD: Ye were sold for nought; And ye shall be redeemed without money.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For thus saith the Lord, Ye have been sold for nought; and ye shall not be ransomed with silver.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Deliverance for Jerusalem
2Shake off your dust! Rise up and sit on your throne, O Jerusalem. Remove the chains from your neck, O captive Daughter of Zion. 3For this is what the LORD says: “You were sold for nothing, and without money you will be redeemed.” 4For this is what the Lord GOD says: “At first My people went down to Egypt to live, then Assyria oppressed them without cause.…

Cross References
1 Peter 1:18-19
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, / but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.

1 Corinthians 6:20
you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.

Galatians 3:13
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”

Romans 3:24
and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

Revelation 5:9
And they sang a new song: “Worthy are You to take the scroll and open its seals, because You were slain, and by Your blood You purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.

Matthew 20:28
just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

1 Timothy 2:6
who gave Himself as a ransom for all—the testimony that was given at just the right time.

Ephesians 1:7
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace

Colossians 1:14
in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Hebrews 9:12
He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption.

Exodus 15:13
With loving devotion You will lead the people You have redeemed; with Your strength You will guide them to Your holy dwelling.

Leviticus 25:25
If your brother becomes impoverished and sells some of his property, his nearest of kin may come and redeem what his brother has sold.

Deuteronomy 7:8
But because the LORD loved you and kept the oath He swore to your fathers, He brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

Psalm 49:7-8
No man can possibly redeem his brother or pay his ransom to God. / For the redemption of his soul is costly, and never can payment suffice,

Psalm 107:2
Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy


Treasury of Scripture

For thus said the LORD, You have sold yourselves for nothing; and you shall be redeemed without money.

Isaiah 45:13
I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward, saith the LORD of hosts.

Isaiah 50:1
Thus saith the LORD, Where is the bill of your mother's divorcement, whom I have put away? or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away.

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

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Free Money Naught Nought Price Redeemed Sold Yourselves
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














For thus says the LORD
This phrase introduces a divine proclamation, emphasizing the authority and sovereignty of God. In Hebrew, "LORD" is "YHWH," the sacred name of God, which signifies His eternal presence and covenant faithfulness. This introduction sets the tone for a message of hope and redemption, reminding the audience of God's ultimate control over history and His unwavering commitment to His people.

You were sold for nothing
The phrase suggests that the Israelites were given over to their enemies without any gain or benefit. Historically, this reflects the Babylonian exile, where the people of Judah were taken captive. The Hebrew word for "sold" (מָכַר, makhar) implies a transaction, yet here it is underscored that no price was paid, highlighting the unjust nature of their suffering. Spiritually, it can be seen as a metaphor for the consequences of sin, where humanity is often ensnared without any true gain.

and you will be redeemed without money
This promise of redemption without monetary exchange points to the gracious and sovereign act of God. The Hebrew word for "redeemed" (גָּאַל, ga'al) carries the connotation of a kinsman-redeemer, a family member who restores the rights of another. This foreshadows the ultimate redemption through Christ, who redeems not with silver or gold, but with His precious blood (1 Peter 1:18-19). It emphasizes that salvation is a gift from God, not something that can be purchased or earned by human means. Historically, it reassures the Israelites of their return from exile, but prophetically, it speaks to the spiritual redemption available to all believers.

(3) Ye have sold yourselves . . .--Literally, ye were sold. The people had complained that Jehovah had "sold them" into the hands of their enemies (Psalm 44:12). "Not so," is the answer. "There was no real sale, only a temporary transfer, and therefore Jehovah can redeem you at His own pleasure. A comparison with Isaiah 43:3, shows how spiritual truths may present aspects that require the most opposite illustrations.

Verse 3. - Ye have sold yourselves for nought; rather, for nought were ye sold. God received nothing when he allowed his people to become the slaves of the Babylonians. He took no price for them (see Isaiah 50:1), and therefore is free to claim them back without payment (comp. Isaiah 45:13). He has but to say the word; and he is about to say it.

Parallel Commentaries ...


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

this is what
כֹה֙ (ḵōh)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

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

says:
אָמַ֣ר (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“You were sold
נִמְכַּרְתֶּ֑ם (nim·kar·tem)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 4376: To sell

for nothing,
חִנָּ֖ם (ḥin·nām)
Adverb
Strong's 2600: Gratis, devoid of cost, reason, advantage

and without
וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

money
בְכֶ֖סֶף (ḇə·ḵe·sep̄)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3701: Silver, money

you will be redeemed.
תִּגָּאֵֽלוּ׃ (tig·gā·’ê·lū)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 1350: To redeem, act as kinsman


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 52:3 For thus says Yahweh You were sold (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 52:2
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