Isaiah 11:12

Authorized King James Version

And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְנָשָׂ֥א
And he shall set up
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
#2
נֵס֙
an ensign
a flag; also a sail; by implication, a flagstaff; generally a signal; figuratively, a token
#3
לַגּוֹיִ֔ם
for the nations
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
#4
וְאָסַ֖ף
and shall assemble
to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)
#5
נִדְחֵ֣י
the outcasts
to push down
#6
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#7
וּנְפֻצ֤וֹת
the dispersed
to dash to pieces, or scatter
#8
יְהוּדָה֙
of Judah
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
#9
יְקַבֵּ֔ץ
and gather together
to grasp, i.e., collect
#10
מֵאַרְבַּ֖ע
from the four
four
#11
כַּנְפ֥וֹת
corners
an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or bedclothing) a flap, (of the earth) a quarter, (of a building) a pinna
#12
הָאָֽרֶץ׃
of the earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

Analysis

Within the broader context of Isaiah, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of covenant community connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about covenant community, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Isaiah.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood covenant community. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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