Behold, the LORD has proclaimed to the end of the earth: Say to the daughter of Zion, “Behold, your salvation comes; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse doesn't just announce a savior; it highlights that the "salvation" itself is inherently tied to a reward and a work belonging to God's agent. It’s not just an event, but a demonstration of divine purpose, bringing both recompense and the execution of His plan.
Behold, the LORD has proclaimed to the end of the earth: Say to the daughter of Zion, “Behold, your salvation comes; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
God is announcing a message of hope and imminent deliverance, reaching to the very ends of the earth. He calls for the people of Zion to be told that their salvation is coming, and with it, the reward and recompense for this divine action are already in hand. This proclamation echoes earlier prophecies of God's powerful intervention and assures a future redemption for His people.
Imagine a message so profound it's declared to the very ends of the earth. This isn't just good news; it's a divine announcement that echoes across all of creation.
A Global Decree
The verse opens with a powerful declaration: "Behold, the LORD has proclaimed to the end of the earth." This isn't a whisper; it's a trumpet call!
The message for Zion is personal and powerful: "Behold, your salvation comes." But who is this salvation, and what does it mean for them?
More Than Just Deliverance
The word for "salvation" here (yeshu'ah) is deeply significant. While it can mean deliverance or rescue, the context and ancient translations strongly suggest it points to a person.
Ask a follow-up
The verse doesn't just announce the coming Savior; it assures us He arrives fully equipped. What does "his reward is with him, and his recompense before him" truly mean?
Fully Prepared, Fully Provisioned
This phrase, repeated from an earlier passage (Isaiah 40:10), speaks volumes about the nature and power of God's promised action.
Understand the original words
Yahweh · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal name of the one true God in the Old Testament, denoting His covenantal faithfulness, eternal self-existence, and His unique relationship with His people Israel.
yeshu‘ah · Hebrew Noun
The process of being saved, delivered, or set free from danger, enemies, or judgment; in Scripture, it primarily points to God's ultimate act of rescuing His people, culminating in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
sakar · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the compensation or wages given in response to deeds; in a theological sense, it often represents the fruit of God’s redemptive work or the justice He brings to His people and the world.
pe‘ullah · Hebrew Noun
A payment, repayment, or recompense for services rendered or actions taken; it emphasizes that God will fulfill His promises and balance the scales of justice for His people.
This prophecy, given during the Babylonian exile, speaks of a salvation and restoration that begins with the decree of Cyrus but finds its ultimate fulfillment in the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who brings eternal salvation and rewards His faithful followers.
c. 701 BC
Sennacherib's Invasion of Judah
The Assyrian king Sennacherib invades Judah, conquering many cities but ultimately failing to capture Jerusalem itself. This event left a deep sense of vulnerability and a longing for God's direct intervention and deliverance.
597 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Babylonian forces under Nebuchadnezzar II deport King Jehoiachin and a significant portion of Jerusalem's elite to Babylon. This marks the beginning of the Judean exile and a period of profound national crisis.
587/586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Destruction of the Temple
Nebuchadnezzar conquers Jerusalem, destroying the city and the Temple, and deports the remaining population to Babylon. This event represents the nadir of Jewish history, a time of utter devastation and despair.
539 BC
Cyrus the Great Conquers Babylon
The Persian king Cyrus the Great overthrows the Babylonian Empire. This pivotal event sets the stage for the return of the Jewish exiles.
538 BC— this verse
Cyrus' Decree Allowing Return
Cyrus issues a decree permitting the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple. This is the immediate historical context for Isaiah's prophecy of return and restoration.
c. 516 BC
Rebuilding of the Second Temple
The Temple in Jerusalem is finally completed and rededicated after decades of effort and opposition. This signifies a partial restoration of Jewish national and religious life.
This passage directly describes the arrival of a king who is righteous and bringing salvation, echoing the 'salvation comes' in Isaiah and fulfilling the anticipation of a divine redeemer.
Matthew 1:21This verse explicitly states that Jesus will save his people from their sins, directly aligning with the 'your salvation comes' and the coming of the Savior prophesied in Isaiah.
Romans 10:18Paul quotes Psalm 19:4 to show that the gospel's message has gone out to all the earth, mirroring Isaiah's 'proclaimed to the end of the earth' and highlighting the universal scope of God's salvation.
Philippians 2:7-11This passage speaks of Christ's self-emptying and subsequent exaltation, showing how his work and reward are intimately connected, much like the 'his reward is with him, and his recompense before him' in Isaiah.
Revelation 22:12Jesus declares, 'Behold, I am coming soon, with my reward with me, to give to each according to what he has done,' directly echoing the language and promise of Isaiah 62:11 regarding the arrival of salvation and his accompanying reward.
gillIsaiah 62:11: "Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him."
Behold, the Lord hath proclaimed unto the end of the world,.... This is not to be interpreted of the proclamation by Cyrus, giving liberty to the people of the Jews to return to their own land, for that did not reach to the end of the world; but of the proclamation of the Gospel, which, as when first pu…
pulpitIsaiah 62:11: "Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him."
Verse 11. - Meanwhile Jehovah, by his angels or his prophets, causes it to be made known to the ends of the earth that the redemption of Israel draws nigh, and that Zion's" salvation" approaches. His reward is with him, etc. The words are repeated from Isaiah 40:10. Here they are certainly said of Israe…
This verse doesn't just announce a savior; it highlights that the "salvation" itself is inherently tied to a reward and a work belonging to God's agent. It’s not just an event, but a demonstration of divine purpose, bringing both recompense and the execution of His plan.
God is announcing a message of hope and imminent deliverance, reaching to the very ends of the earth. He calls for the people of Zion to be told that their salvation is coming, and with it, the reward and recompense for this divine action are already in hand. This proclamation echoes earlier prophecies of God's powerful intervention and assures a future redemption for His people.
God is announcing a message of hope and imminent deliverance, reaching to the very ends of the earth. He calls for the people of Zion to be told that their salvation is coming, and with it, the reward and recompense for this divine action are already in hand. This proclamation echoes earlier prophecies of God's powerful intervention and assures a future redemption for His people.
"Behold, the LORD has proclaimed to the end of the earth: Say to the daughter of Zion, “Behold, your salvation comes; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.”" — This verse doesn't just announce a savior; it highlights that the "salvation" itself is inherently tied to a reward and a work belonging to God's agent. It’s not just an event, but a demonstration of…
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Last reviewed October 2026