Isaiah 1:9

Authorized King James Version

Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
לוּלֵי֙
Except
if not
#2
יְהוָ֣ה
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#3
צְבָא֔וֹת
of hosts
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
#4
הוֹתִ֥יר
had left
to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left; causatively to leave, cause to abound, preserve
#5
לָ֛נוּ
H0
#6
שָׂרִ֖יד
remnant
a survivor
#7
כִּמְעָ֑ט
unto us a very small
a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)
#8
כִּסְדֹ֣ם
as Sodom
sedom, a place near the dead sea
#9
הָיִ֔ינוּ
we should have been
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#10
לַעֲמֹרָ֖ה
unto Gomorrah
amorah, a place in palestine
#11
דָּמִֽינוּ׃
and we should have been like
to compare; by implication, to resemble, liken, consider

Analysis

Within the broader context of Isaiah, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, 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 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 sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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