Isaiah 14:23

Authorized King James Version

I will also make it a possession for the bittern, and pools of water: and I will sweep it with the besom of destruction, saith the LORD of hosts.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְשַׂמְתִּ֛יהָ
I will also make
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#2
לְמוֹרַ֥שׁ
it a possession
a possession; figuratively, delight
#3
קִפֹּ֖ד
for the bittern
a species of bird, perhaps the bittern (from its contracted form)
#4
וְאַגְמֵי
H98
and pools
a marsh; hence a rush (as growing in swamps); hence a stockade of reeds
#5
מָ֑יִם
of water
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
#6
וְטֵֽאטֵאתִ֙יהָ֙
and I will sweep
to sweep away
#7
בְּמַטְאֲטֵ֣א
it with the besom
a broom (as removing dirt (compare english 'to dust', i.e., remove dust))
#8
הַשְׁמֵ֔ד
of destruction
to desolate
#9
נְאֻ֖ם
saith
an oracle
#10
יְהוָ֥ה
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#11
צְבָאֽוֹת׃
of hosts
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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