Isaiah 1:26

Authorized King James Version

And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְאָשִׁ֤יבָה
And I will restore
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#2
שֹׁפְטַ֙יִךְ֙
thy judges
to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal
#3
כְּבָרִ֣אשֹׁנָ֔ה
as at the first
first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
#4
וְיֹעֲצַ֖יִךְ
and thy counsellors
to advise; reflexively, to deliberate or resolve
#5
כְּבַתְּחִלָּ֑ה
as at the beginning
a commencement; relatively original (adverb, -ly)
#6
אַחֲרֵי
afterward
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
#7
כֵ֗ן
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
#8
יִקָּ֤רֵא
thou shalt be called
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
#9
לָךְ֙
H0
#10
עִ֣יר
The city
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#11
הַצֶּ֔דֶק
of righteousness
the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity
#12
קִרְיָ֖ה
city
a city
#13
נֶאֱמָנָֽה׃
the faithful
properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanen

Analysis

Within the broader context of Isaiah, this passage highlights covenant through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of faith connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about faith, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by establishing foundational concepts crucial to Isaiah's theological argument.

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 covenant 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 faith in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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