New International Version Leave Babylon, flee from the Babylonians! Announce this with shouts of joy and proclaim it. Send it out to the ends of the earth; say, “The LORD has redeemed his servant Jacob.” New Living Translation Yet even now, be free from your captivity! Leave Babylon and the Babylonians. Sing out this message! Shout it to the ends of the earth! The LORD has redeemed his servants, the people of Israel. English Standard Version Go out from Babylon, flee from Chaldea, declare this with a shout of joy, proclaim it, send it out to the end of the earth; say, “The LORD has redeemed his servant Jacob!” Berean Standard Bible Leave Babylon! Flee from the Chaldeans! Declare it with a shout of joy, proclaim it, let it go out to the ends of the earth, saying, “The LORD has redeemed His servant Jacob!” Berean Literal Bible Go forth from Babylon! Flee from the Chaldeans! With a voice ringing out, declare it, let this be heard; let it go forth to the end of the earth! Say, “YHWH has redeemed His servant Jacob.” King James Bible Go ye forth of Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans, with a voice of singing declare ye, tell this, utter it even to the end of the earth; say ye, The LORD hath redeemed his servant Jacob. New King James Version Go forth from Babylon! Flee from the Chaldeans! With a voice of singing, Declare, proclaim this, Utter it to the end of the earth; Say, “The LORD has redeemed His servant Jacob!” New American Standard Bible Go out from Babylon! Flee from the Chaldeans! Declare with the sound of joyful shouting, proclaim this, Send it out to the end of the earth; Say, “The LORD has redeemed His servant Jacob.” NASB 1995 Go forth from Babylon! Flee from the Chaldeans! Declare with the sound of joyful shouting, proclaim this, Send it out to the end of the earth; Say, “The LORD has redeemed His servant Jacob.” NASB 1977 Go forth from Babylon! Flee from the Chaldeans! Declare with the sound of joyful shouting, proclaim this, Send it out to the end of the earth; Say, “The LORD has redeemed His servant Jacob.” Legacy Standard Bible Go forth from Babylon! Flee from the Chaldeans! Declare with the sound of joyful shouting, cause this to be heard, Bring it forth to the end of the earth; Say, “Yahweh has redeemed His servant Jacob.” Amplified Bible Get out of Babylon! Flee from the Chaldeans [who reign there]! Declare with a voice of jubilation, proclaim this, Send it out to the end of the earth; Say, “The LORD has redeemed His servant Jacob.” Berean Annotated Bible Leave Babylon (confusion by mixing)! Flee from the Chaldeans (clod-breakers)! Declare it with a shout of joy, proclaim it, let it go out to the ends of the earth, saying, “The LORD {YHWH} has redeemed His servant Jacob (he grasps the heel)! Christian Standard Bible Leave Babylon, flee from the Chaldeans! Declare with a shout of joy, proclaim this, let it go out to the end of the earth; announce, “The LORD has redeemed his servant Jacob! ” Holman Christian Standard Bible Leave Babylon, flee from the Chaldeans! Declare with a shout of joy, proclaim this, let it go out to the end of the earth; announce,” The LORD has redeemed His servant Jacob!” American Standard Version Go ye forth from Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans; with a voice of singing declare ye, tell this, utter it even to the end of the earth: say ye, Jehovah hath redeemed his servant Jacob. Contemporary English Version Now leave Babylon! Celebrate as you go. Be happy and shout for everyone to hear, "The LORD has rescued his servant Israel! English Revised Version Go ye forth of Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans; with a voice of singing declare ye, tell this, utter it even to the end of the earth: say ye, The LORD hath redeemed his servant Jacob. GOD'S WORD® Translation Leave Babylon; flee from the Babylonians! Shout for joy as you tell it and announce it. Shout it out to the ends of the earth. Say that the LORD has reclaimed his servant Jacob. Good News Translation Go out from Babylon, go free! Shout the news gladly; make it known everywhere: "The LORD has saved his servant Israel!" International Standard Version "Go out from Babylon, flee from the Chaldeans! With happy shouts, announce and proclaim this to the ends of the earth: Say, 'The LORD has redeemed his servant Jacob!' NET Bible Leave Babylon! Flee from the Babylonians! Announce it with a shout of joy! Make this known! Proclaim it throughout the earth! Say, 'The LORD protects his servant Jacob. New Heart English Bible Go forth from Babylon, flee from the Chaldeans; with a voice of singing declare, tell this, send it out throughout the earth. Say, 'The LORD has redeemed his servant Jacob.' Webster's Bible Translation Go ye forth from Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans, with a voice of singing declare ye, tell this, utter it even to the end of the earth; say ye, The LORD hath redeemed his servant Jacob. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleLeave Babylon! Flee from the Chaldeans! Declare it with a shout of joy, proclaim it, let it go out to the ends of the earth, saying, “The LORD has redeemed His servant Jacob!” World English Bible Leave Babylon! Flee from the Chaldeans! With a voice of singing announce this, tell it even to the end of the earth; say, “Yahweh has redeemed his servant Jacob!” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionGo out from Babylon, flee from the Chaldeans, "" Declare with a voice of singing, "" Cause this to be heard, "" Bring it forth to the end of the earth, "" Say, “YHWH has redeemed His servant Jacob.” Berean Literal Bible Go forth from Babylon! Flee from the Chaldeans! With a voice ringing out, declare it, let this be heard; let it go forth to the end of the earth! Say, “YHWH has redeemed His servant Jacob.” Young's Literal Translation Go out from Babylon, flee from the Chaldeans, With a voice of singing declare, Cause ye this to be heard, Bring it forth unto the end of the earth, Say, Redeemed hath Jehovah His servant Jacob. Smith's Literal Translation Go ye forth from Babel; flee from the Chaldeans; with the voice of shouting, announce ye; cause this to be heard; cause it to go forth, even to the extremity of the earth; say ye, Jehovah redeemed his servant Jacob. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleCome forth out of Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans, declare it with the voice of joy: make this to be heard, and speak it out even to the ends of the earth. Say: The Lord hath redeemed his servant Jacob. Catholic Public Domain Version Depart from Babylon! Flee from the Chaldeans! Announce it with a voice of exultation. Cause it to be heard, and carry it even to the ends of the earth. Say: “The Lord has redeemed his servant Jacob.” New American Bible Go forth from Babylon, flee from Chaldea! With shouts of joy declare this, announce it; Make it known to the ends of the earth, Say: “The LORD has redeemed his servant Jacob. New Revised Standard Version Go out from Babylon, flee from Chaldea, declare this with a shout of joy, proclaim it, send it forth to the end of the earth; say, “The LORD has redeemed his servant Jacob!” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleGo forth from Babylon, flee from the Chaldeans; with a voice of singing declare this, proclaim it, and publish it even to the ends of the earth; say, The LORD has saved his servant Jacob. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Go out from Babel! Flee from the Chaldeans! Show this with the voice of singing and make it heard, and send it out unto the ends of The Earth, and say: ‘LORD JEHOVAH has saved Yaqob his Servant! OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Go ye forth from Babylon, Flee ye from the Chaldeans; With a voice of singing Declare ye, tell this, Utter it even to the end of the earth; Say ye: 'The LORD hath redeemed His servant Jacob. Brenton Septuagint Translation Go forth of Babylon, thou that fleest from the Chaldeans: utter aloud a voice of joy, and let this be made known, proclaim it to the end of the earth; say ye, The Lord hath delivered his servant Jacob. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context Deliverance Promised to Israel…19Your descendants would have been as countless as the sand, and your offspring as numerous as its grains; their name would never be cut off or eliminated from My presence.” 20Leave Babylon! Flee from the Chaldeans! Declare it with a shout of joy, proclaim it, let it go out to the ends of the earth, saying, “The LORD has redeemed His servant Jacob!” 21They did not thirst when He led them through the deserts; He made water flow for them from the rock; He split the rock, and water gushed out.… Cross References Leave Babylon! Jeremiah 50:8 Flee from the midst of Babylon; depart from the land of the Chaldeans; be like the he-goats that lead the flock. Jeremiah 51:6 Flee from Babylon! Escape with your lives! Do not be destroyed in her punishment. For this is the time of the LORD’s vengeance; He will pay her what she deserves. Revelation 18:4 Then I heard another voice from heaven say: “Come out of her, My people, so that you will not share in her sins or contract any of her plagues. Flee from the Chaldeans! Zechariah 2:7 “Get up, O Zion! Escape, you who dwell with the Daughter of Babylon!” Jeremiah 51:45 Come out of her, My people! Save your lives, each of you, from the fierce anger of the LORD. Isaiah 52:11 Depart, depart, go out from there! Touch no unclean thing; come out from it, purify yourselves, you who carry the vessels of the LORD. Declare it with a shout of joy, Psalm 98:4 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth—let your cry ring out, and sing praises! Psalm 100:1 A Psalm of thanksgiving. Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth. Psalm 66:1 For the choirmaster. A song. A Psalm. Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth! proclaim it, Psalm 96:2 Sing to the LORD, bless His name; proclaim His salvation day after day. Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” Isaiah 40:9 Go up on a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news. Raise your voice loudly, O Jerusalem, herald of good news. Lift it up, do not be afraid! Say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God!” let it go out to the ends of the earth, Isaiah 49:6 He says: “It is not enough for You to be My Servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the protected ones of Israel. I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.” Acts 13:47 For this is what the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’” Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” saying, “The LORD has redeemed His servant Jacob!” Isaiah 44:21-23 Remember these things, O Jacob, for you are My servant, O Israel. I have made you, and you are My servant; O Israel, I will never forget you. / I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud, and your sins like a mist. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you. / Sing for joy, O heavens, for the LORD has done this; shout aloud, O depths of the earth. Break forth in song, O mountains, you forests and all your trees. For the LORD has redeemed Jacob, and revealed His glory in Israel. Treasury of Scripture Go you forth of Babylon, flee you from the Chaldeans, with a voice of singing declare you, tell this, utter it even to the end of the earth; say you, The LORD has redeemed his servant Jacob. ye forth Isaiah 52:11 Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD. Jeremiah 50:8 Remove out of the midst of Babylon, and go forth out of the land of the Chaldeans, and be as the he goats before the flocks. Jeremiah 51:6,45 Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the LORD'S vengeance; he will render unto her a recompence… with a voice Isaiah 12:1 And in that day thou shalt say, O LORD, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me. Isaiah 26:1 In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks. Isaiah 45:22,23 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else… utter it even Isaiah 48:6 Thou hast heard, see all this; and will not ye declare it? I have shewed thee new things from this time, even hidden things, and thou didst not know them. 2 Samuel 7:23 And what one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and to do for you great things and terrible, for thy land, before thy people, which thou redeemedst to thee from Egypt, from the nations and their gods? Jeremiah 31:10 Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock. Jump to Previous Babylon Chalde'a Chaldeans Declare Earth End Flee Forth Jacob Joyful Proclaim Redeemed Servant Shouting Singing Sound Utter VoiceJump to Next Babylon Chalde'a Chaldeans Declare Earth End Flee Forth Jacob Joyful Proclaim Redeemed Servant Shouting Singing Sound Utter VoiceIsaiah 48 1. God, to convince the people of their foreknown obstinance, revealed his prophecies9. He saves them for his own sake 12. He exhorts them to obedience, because of his power and providence 16. He laments their backwardness 20. He powerfully delivers his people out of Babylon Leave Babylon! God commanded the Jewish exiles to depart when He opened the way for their return through Cyrus of Persia. Babylon had been the instrument of God’s discipline, but captivity would not cancel His covenant promises to Jacob’s descendants. Jer 50:8 Flee from the midst of Babylon; depart from the land… Flee from the Chaldeans! The Chaldeans ruled Babylon, whose power, idols, and false wisdom could not preserve the city from God’s judgment. Israel was to make a decisive departure from the land of exile rather than remain attached to its security or spiritual corruption. Zec 2:7 Get up, O Zion! Escape, you who dwell with the Daughter… Declare it with a shout of joy, The return from Babylon was to be received as a victory accomplished by the LORD, not merely as a change in political circumstances. Joy was fitting because God had remembered His people after their long discipline. Psa 98:4 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth;… proclaim it, Israel was called to testify publicly that the LORD alone had redeemed them. Their restoration would reveal God’s faithfulness before nations that had witnessed Judah’s fall and exile. Psa 96:2 Sing to the LORD, bless His name; proclaim His salvation… let it go out to the ends of the earth, God intended the news of Israel’s deliverance to display His glory beyond Jerusalem and Babylon. The worldwide announcement anticipates the gospel, through which redemption in Christ is proclaimed among all nations. Isa 49:6 “It is not enough for You to be My Servant,”… saying, “The LORD has redeemed His servant Jacob!” The LORD redeemed Jacob by bringing the exiles out of Babylon and restoring them to the land promised to their fathers. Israel remained His servant despite its failures, and God’s mercy toward Jacob points forward to the greater redemption Christ secured from sin, death, and bondage. Isa 44:21-23 Remember these things, O Jacob, for you are My servant,… Persons / Places / Events 1. BabylonA significant city and empire in ancient Mesopotamia, often symbolizing oppression and idolatry in the Bible. In this context, it represents the place of captivity for the Israelites. 2. Chaldeans A people group associated with Babylon, known for their influence and power during the Neo-Babylonian Empire. They are often seen as oppressors of the Israelites. 3. The LORD (Yahweh) The covenant name of God, emphasizing His faithfulness and power to redeem His people. 4. Jacob Represents the nation of Israel, as Jacob was the patriarch whose descendants became the twelve tribes of Israel. 5. Redemption The act of being saved or liberated, often used in the Bible to describe God's deliverance of His people from bondage. Teaching Points Call to SeparationJust as the Israelites were called to leave Babylon, Christians are called to separate themselves from worldly influences and sin. This involves a conscious decision to pursue holiness and align with God's will. Proclaiming Redemption The command to declare God's redemption with joy emphasizes the importance of sharing the gospel. Believers are encouraged to testify about God's saving work in their lives. Trust in God's Deliverance The assurance of God's redemption for Jacob reminds us to trust in God's promises and His ability to deliver us from spiritual bondage. Joyful Obedience The call to proclaim with a shout of joy highlights the attitude with which we should obey God's commands—joyfully and with enthusiasm. Global Mission The instruction to let the message go to the ends of the earth underscores the global mission of the church to spread the good news of salvation. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Isaiah 48:20?2. How does Isaiah 48:20 encourage us to proclaim God's redemption in our lives? 3. What does "flee from Babylon" symbolize in our modern Christian walk? 4. How can we "declare with a shout of joy" God's works today? 5. How does Isaiah 48:20 connect with Revelation's call to leave Babylon? 6. In what ways can we apply the call to "proclaim it" in daily life? 7. What historical context surrounds Isaiah 48:20 and its call to flee Babylon? 8. How does Isaiah 48:20 reflect God's deliverance and redemption themes? 9. What is the significance of Babylon in Isaiah 48:20? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 48? What Does Isaiah 48:20 Mean Leave Babylon!“Leave Babylon!” (Isaiah 48:20) is a literal summons to the Jewish exiles who would soon be permitted to return home (Ezra 1:1-4). God’s call is: • Physical—pack up and go, trusting the Lord’s promise (Jeremiah 29:10; Isaiah 52:11). • Moral—separate from the corrupt values of the empire (Jeremiah 51:6). • Prophetic—foreshadowing the final call to believers to leave the end-time world system (Revelation 18:4). Refusing to remain in a place of captivity is an act of faith that honors the God who keeps covenant. Flee from the Chaldeans! “Flee from the Chaldeans!” adds urgency. Babylon may look safe, yet lingering means peril (Jeremiah 51:45). Like Lot fleeing Sodom (Genesis 19:17) or Joseph taking Mary and Jesus to Egypt by night (Matthew 2:13-15), God’s people act swiftly when He says move. The command emphasizes: • Speed—don’t negotiate with sin or delay obedience. • Safety—God provides a way out (1 Corinthians 10:13). • Separation—holiness requires distance from what defiles (2 Corinthians 6:17). Declare it with a shout of joy Deliverance isn’t a secret; it’s news to celebrate out loud. When God restores, His people respond as: • Singers—“Break into joyful shouting” (Isaiah 44:23). • Storytellers—sharing what the Lord has done (Psalm 126:2-3). • Witnesses—joy itself becomes evangelism (Acts 2:46-47). Excitement is fitting because redemption is entirely God’s doing. Proclaim it, let it go out to the ends of the earth Israel’s rescue carries global significance, previewing God’s plan to bless all nations (Genesis 12:3). The Lord commands a broadcast that: • Extends everywhere—anticipating “light to the nations” (Isaiah 49:6) and Jesus’ Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). • Exalts His name—the whole earth must know He alone saves (Isaiah 42:10-12). • Encourages the faithful—far-flung Jews and Gentiles alike can trust the same Redeemer (Acts 1:8). “The LORD has redeemed His servant Jacob!” The heart of the message: redemption. • Historical—Cyrus would free Judah without price (Isaiah 45:13). • Covenant—God keeps His promise to “His servant Jacob” (Isaiah 41:8-9). • Messianic—this redemption foreshadows Christ’s blood-bought freedom (Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18-19). The proclamation replaces despair with assurance: the Lord finishes what He begins. summary Isaiah 48:20 is God’s rallying cry: leave captivity, run without hesitation, celebrate loudly, tell everyone, and center the story on His redeeming grace. For ancient Judah and for believers today, obedience, joy, witness, and confidence all flow from the unchanging truth that “the LORD has redeemed His servant Jacob.” (20) Go ye forth of Babylon . . .—The sorrow and sighing are past, and the prophet speaks to the remnant that shall return. They are to act without fear on the promises of God, on the decree of Cyrus, and to start at once on their homeward journey, and as they go, to proclaim what great things God hath done for them.Verse 20. - Go ye forth of Babylon. A sudden transition from expostulation to exhortation. It might have seemed that no exhortation would be needed; that, as soon as the prison-doors were set open, there would be a general rush to escape. But, when the time came, it was not so. Those only availed themselves of the edict of Cyrus "whose spirit God had raised to go up and build his house" (Ezra 1:5). The wealthier classes, Josephus tells us ('Ant. Jud.,' 11:1), remained. The very poor, it is probable, could not leave. Motives of various kinds detained others. The result was that probably a larger number elected to continue in the country than to return to Palestine. Hence the exhortation to "go forth from Babylon and flee from the Chaldeans" was far from being superfluous. Flee ye from the Chaldeans. Not "flee before them" (see Isaiah 52:12), as enemies to be feared; but quit them hastily, as corrupters to be avoided. With a voice of singing; rather, with a voice of shouting (Delitzsch), or with a ridging cry (Cheyne). The cry was to reach even to the end of the earth. All the nations were to be informed of the great event, in which they might not feel, but in which they were, deeply interested - the deliverance of Israel out of Babylon, which was "the prelude of, and a preparation for, the world's redemption" (Kay).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Leaveצְא֣וּ (ṣə·’ū) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim Babylon, מִבָּבֶל֮ (mib·bā·ḇel) Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 894: Babylon -- an eastern Mediterranean empire and its capital city flee בִּרְח֣וּ (bir·ḥū) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 1272: To bolt, to flee suddenly from the Chaldeans! מִכַּשְׂדִּים֒ (mik·kaś·dîm) Preposition-m | Noun - proper - masculine plural Strong's 3778: Chaldeans -- a region of southern Babylon and its inhab Declare it הַגִּ֤ידוּ (hag·gî·ḏū) Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous with a shout בְּק֣וֹל (bə·qō·wl) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 6963: A voice, sound of joy, רִנָּ֗ה (rin·nāh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 7440: A creaking, shout proclaim הַשְׁמִ֙יעוּ֙ (haš·mî·‘ū) Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently it, זֹ֔את (zōṯ) Pronoun - feminine singular Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that, let it go out הוֹצִיא֖וּהָ (hō·w·ṣî·’ū·hā) Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine plural | third person feminine singular Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim to עַד־ (‘aḏ-) Preposition Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while the ends קְצֵ֣ה (qə·ṣêh) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 7097: End, extremity of the earth, הָאָ֑רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 776: Earth, land saying, אִמְר֕וּ (’im·rū) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 559: To utter, say “The LORD יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel has redeemed גָּאַ֥ל (gā·’al) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1350: To redeem, act as kinsman His servant עַבְדּ֥וֹ (‘aḇ·dōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 5650: Slave, servant Jacob!” יַעֲקֹֽב׃ (ya·‘ă·qōḇ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3290: Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc Additonal Resources Isaiah 48:20 Blue Letter BibleIsaiah 48:20 Bible Gateway Isaiah 48:20 Bible.com Isaiah 48:20 NIV |
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