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!”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This command to "declare this with a shout of joy" and "proclaim it to the ends of the earth" highlights that the redemption of Jacob is not just a private affair for a select group, but a global announcement of God's mighty work that deserves worldwide attention. It emphasizes that God's action in rescuing His people is significant enough to be declared to all nations, underscoring the universal scope of His power and faithfulness.
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!”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Lord has just detailed his unique power and faithfulness, contrasting himself with idols and calling out Israel's stubbornness and unfaithfulness despite his past acts. Now, he issues a direct, joyful command for his people to leave Babylon, proclaiming their redemption by his mighty hand to the whole world. This declaration marks a pivotal moment, shifting from God's indictment of their past to a powerful promise of future liberation and the ultimate redemption of his servant, Jacob.
Imagine receiving a command to leave everything behind and shout for joy. What would that feel like?
God's promise of redemption isn't just for private comfort; it demands a public, joyful response. The prophet Isaiah doesn't just tell the exiles they will be freed from Babylon; he commands them to go and proclaim it.
A Double Call:
Why is the specific phrase 'The LORD has redeemed his servant Jacob' so powerful?
The core of the proclamation is simple yet profound: 'The LORD has redeemed his servant Jacob.' This phrase encapsulates the essence of God's relationship with His people and His ongoing faithfulness.
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Understanding 'Redeemed':
Understand the original words
Babel · Hebrew Proper Noun
A place historically symbolic of idolatry, pride, opposition to God, and the captivity of His people, representing the kingdom of darkness or the world system separated from God.
padah · Hebrew Verb
The act of rescuing or purchasing someone out of bondage, used most significantly to describe God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt and later from Babylonian exile, foreshadowing the ultimate redemption in Christ.
This verse is a powerful call to action and proclamation for the exiled Israelites, urging them to seize the opportunity of their liberation from Babylonian captivity, a liberation made possible by the Persian conquest of Babylon. It highlights the joy and urgency of returning to their homeland and declaring God's faithfulness to redeem His people.
c. 586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Destruction of the Temple
Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians conquer Judah, destroying Jerusalem and its Temple, and deporting many of its people to Babylon.
c. 539 BC
Conquest of Babylon by Persia
Cyrus the Great, leader of the Persian Empire, conquers Babylon, marking a shift in imperial power.
538 BC— this verse
Cyrus's Edict of Return
Cyrus issues a decree allowing the exiled Jews to return to their homeland and rebuild the Temple.
c. 537 BC
First Return of Exiles to Jerusalem
The first wave of Jewish exiles, led by figures like Zerubbabel, returns to Jerusalem to begin rebuilding the city and the Temple.
This passage describes Israel's miraculous deliverance from Egypt, mirroring the triumphant cry of redemption proclaimed in Isaiah 48:20 as they escaped their oppressors.
Jeremiah 51:6Jeremiah also warns against lingering in Babylon, calling God's people to flee its impending judgment, which directly parallels Isaiah's command and reinforces the theme of escaping a doomed city.
Revelation 18:4This New Testament passage echoes Isaiah's call, commanding God's people to 'come out of her, my people' to escape judgment, highlighting the consistent biblical theme of separation from corrupt systems.
Psalm 137:1This psalm vividly portrays the sorrow of exile in Babylon, providing a stark contrast to the joyous proclamation and song commanded in Isaiah 48:20, emphasizing the immense relief and celebration of redemption.
Isaiah 44:28This earlier passage in Isaiah names Cyrus as God's shepherd who will decree Jerusalem's rebuilding, directly setting the stage for the command to 'go forth from Babylon' and underscoring God's sovereign plan for His people's redemption.
barnesIsaiah 48:20: "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."
Go ye forth of Babylon - The prophet now directly addresses those who were in exile in Babylon, and commands them to depart from it. The design of this is, to furnish the assurance that they should be delivered, and to show them the duty of leaving the place of their long captivity when the opp…
wesleyIsaiah 48:20: "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."
48:20 Singing - With joy and songs of praise. Declare - Publish God's wonderful works.
This command to "declare this with a shout of joy" and "proclaim it to the ends of the earth" highlights that the redemption of Jacob is not just a private affair for a select group, but a global announcement of God's mighty work that deserves worldwide attention. It emphasizes that God's action in rescuing His people is significant enough to be declared to all nations, underscoring the universal scope of His power and faithfulness.
The Lord has just detailed his unique power and faithfulness, contrasting himself with idols and calling out Israel's stubbornness and unfaithfulness despite his past acts. Now, he issues a direct, joyful command for his people to leave Babylon, proclaiming their redemption by his mighty hand to the whole world. This declaration marks a pivotal moment, shifting from God's indictment of their past to a powerful promise of future liberation and the ultimate redemption of his servant, Jacob.
The Lord has just detailed his unique power and faithfulness, contrasting himself with idols and calling out Israel's stubbornness and unfaithfulness despite his past acts. Now, he issues a direct, joyful command for his people to leave Babylon, proclaiming their redemption by his mighty hand to the whole world. This declaration marks a pivotal moment, shifting from God's indictment of their past to a powerful promise of future liberation and the ultimate redemption of his servant, Jacob.
"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!”" — This command to "declare this with a shout of joy" and "proclaim it to the ends of the earth" highlights that the redemption of Jacob is not just a private affair for a select group, but a global ann…
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Last reviewed October 2026