Isaiah 52

Redeemer

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

Jehovah promises a redemption that silver cannot buy. Peter explains that we are redeemed not with silver or gold but with the precious blood of Christ, the Lamb without blemish.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alluded to by 1 Peter 1:18-19 — Redeemed not with corruptible things like silver and gold, but with the blood of Christ.
• quoted by 3 Nephi 20:38 — The resurrected Jesus quotes this promise to the Nephites.

Jehovah

Jehovah — the covenant name, 'I AM', the self-existent One

Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak: behold, it is I. Isaiah 52:6

Jehovah promises that His people will one day recognize who is speaking to them: 'it is I.' When the resurrected Jesus quoted this verse to the Nephites He spoke it in His own voice, showing He is the Jehovah who spoke through Isaiah.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• quoted by 3 Nephi 20:39 — Jesus quotes it of Himself: 'they shall know that I am he that doth speak.'
• alluded to by John 4:26 — Jesus to the Samaritan woman: 'I that speak unto thee am he.'

Prince of Peace

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! Isaiah 52:7

Abinadi taught that the one who publishes peace is first the prophets and above all the Lord Himself, 'the founder of peace,' who brings the good news of redemption. Paul uses the verse for all who preach the gospel of Christ.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• interpreted by Mosiah 15:14-18 — Abinadi: the prophets publish peace, and 'the founder of peace, yea, even the Lord' is the one whose feet are most beautiful.
• quoted by Mosiah 12:21 — King Noah's priests quote the verse to Abinadi.
• quoted by Romans 10:15 — Paul applies it to preachers of the gospel of Christ.
• quoted by 3 Nephi 20:40 — Jesus quotes it to the Nephites.

Arm of the LORD

Arm of the LORD — the power of God put forth to save; in Isaiah 53:1 the Arm is the suffering Servant

Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall bring again Zion. Isaiah 52:8–10

The LORD rolls up His sleeve, so to speak, and shows His saving power to every nation. Abinadi and the resurrected Jesus both quote these verses about the day when everyone will see the salvation of God, which comes through Christ.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• quoted by Mosiah 15:29-31 — Abinadi quotes it as the time when all shall see the salvation of the Lord through the Redeemer.
• quoted by 3 Nephi 16:18-20 — Jesus quotes these verses about the gathering.
• alluded to by D&C 133:3 — The Lord shall make bare His holy arm before His Second Coming.
• the same title in Isaiah 53:1 — 'To whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?' names the Servant as the Arm.

Jehovah

For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rereward. Isaiah 52:12

Jehovah, the God of Israel, leads His gathering people from the front and guards them from behind, as He did in the Exodus. Jesus repeated this promise to the Nephites.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• quoted by 3 Nephi 20:42 — Jesus quotes the promise.
• alludes to Exodus 14:19 — The pillar of cloud moved behind Israel to protect them.

My Servant (the Messiah)

Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high. Isaiah 52:13

The Father introduces 'my servant,' the one whose suffering Isaiah 53 describes. He will be lifted up and exalted, which Latter-day Saints and Paul see fulfilled in Christ's exaltation after His humiliation.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• quoted by 3 Nephi 20:43 — Jesus quotes the Servant song to the Nephites.
• alluded to by Philippians 2:9 — 'God also hath highly exalted him.'
• the same title in Mosiah 14:1-12 — Abinadi quotes the rest of the Servant song as about Christ.

Atonement

As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men: Isaiah 52:14–15

The Servant would be disfigured by suffering beyond any man, yet He will 'sprinkle' many nations, like a priest sprinkling cleansing blood, and kings will fall silent before Him. In 3 Nephi 21:10 Jesus also applies the 'marred' servant to a latter-day servant, so the passage can carry a second meaning, but its first fulfillment is Christ.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• quoted by 3 Nephi 20:44-45 — Jesus quotes these verses.
• interpreted by 3 Nephi 21:10 — Jesus applies the marred servant to a latter-day servant whom He will heal (a secondary application).
• quoted by Romans 15:21 — Paul quotes 52:15 for preaching Christ where He was not known.
• alludes to Leviticus 16:14-15 — The sprinkling of atoning blood on the Day of Atonement.