Isaiah 14:9

Authorized King James Version

Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
שְׁא֗וֹל
Hell
hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories and inmates
#2
מִתַּ֛חַת
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
#3
רָגְזָ֥ה
from beneath is moved
to quiver (with any violent emotion, especially anger or fear)
#4
לְךָ֖
H0
#5
לִקְרַ֣את
for thee to meet
an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)
#6
בּוֹאֶ֑ךָ
thee at thy coming
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#7
עוֹרֵ֨ר
it stirreth up
to wake (literally or figuratively)
#8
לְךָ֤
H0
#9
רְפָאִים֙
the dead
properly, lax, i.e., (figuratively) a ghost (as dead; in plural only)
#10
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#11
עַתּ֣וּדֵי
for thee even all the chief ones
prepared, i.e., full grown; spoken only (in plural) of he-goats, or (figuratively) leaders of the people
#12
אָ֔רֶץ
of the earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#13
הֵקִים֙
it hath raised up
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
#14
מִכִּסְאוֹתָ֔ם
from their thrones
properly, covered, i.e., a throne (as canopied)
#15
כֹּ֖ל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#16
מַלְכֵ֥י
all the kings
a king
#17
גוֹיִֽם׃
of the nations
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

Analysis

This verse develops the kingdom of God theme central to Isaiah. The concept of covenant community reflects the development of kingdom of God 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

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 kingdom of God 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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