Isaiah 1:15

Authorized King James Version

And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וּבְפָרִשְׂכֶ֣ם

H6566

And when ye spread forth

to break apart, disperse, etc

כַּפֵּיכֶ֗ם

H3709

your hands

the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-

אַעְלִ֤ים

H5956

I will hide

to veil from sight, i.e., conceal (literally or figuratively)

עֵינַי֙

H5869

mine eyes

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

מִכֶּ֔ם

H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

גַּ֛ם

H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

כִּֽי

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

תַרְבּ֥וּ

H7235

from you yea when ye make many

to increase (in whatever respect)

תְפִלָּ֖ה

H8605

prayers

intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn

#10

אֵינֶ֣נִּי

H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

#11

שֹׁמֵ֑עַ

H8085

I will not hear

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

#12

יְדֵיכֶ֖ם

H3027

your hands

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

#13

דָּמִ֥ים

H1818

of blood

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

#14

מָלֵֽאוּ׃

H4390

are full

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Isaiah. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Isaiah Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine revelation address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?

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