Isaiah 11:16

Authorized King James Version

And there shall be an highway for the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria; like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְהָיְתָ֣ה

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

מְסִלָּ֔ה

H4546

And there shall be an highway

a thoroughfare (as turnpiked), literally or figuratively; specifically a viaduct, a staircase

לִשְׁאָ֣ר

H7605

for the remnant

a remainder

עַמּ֔וֹ

H5971

of his people

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר

H834

which

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יִשָּׁאֵ֖ר

H7604

shall be left

properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant

מֵֽאַשּׁ֑וּר

H804

from Assyria

ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire

כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר

H834

which

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הָֽיְתָה֙

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

#10

לְיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל

H3478

like as it was to Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

#11

בְּי֥וֹם

H3117

in the day

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

#12

עֲלֹת֖וֹ

H5927

that he came up

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

#13

מֵאֶ֥רֶץ

H776

out of the land

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

#14

מִצְרָֽיִם׃

H4714

of Egypt

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Isaiah. The concept of covenant community 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 covenant community in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
How does this verse's literary context within Isaiah chapter 11 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on covenant community address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?

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