Isaiah 16:9

Authorized King James Version

Therefore I will bewail with the weeping of Jazer the vine of Sibmah: I will water thee with my tears, O Heshbon, and Elealeh: for the shouting for thy summer fruits and for thy harvest is fallen.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#2
כֵּ֡ן
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
#3
אֶבְכֶּ֞ה
Therefore I will bewail
to weep; generally to bemoan
#4
בִּבְכִ֤י
with the weeping
a weeping; by analogy, a dripping
#5
יַעְזֵר֙
of Jazer
jaazer or jazer, a place east of the jordan
#6
גֶּ֣פֶן
the vine
a vine (as twining), especially the grape
#7
שִׂבְמָ֔ה
of Sibmah
sebam or sibmah, a place in moab
#8
אֲרַיָּ֙וֶךְ֙
I will water
to slake the thirst (occasionally of other appetites)
#9
דִּמְעָתִ֔י
thee with my tears
weeping
#10
חֶשְׁבּ֖וֹן
O Heshbon
cheshbon, a place east of the jordan
#11
וְאֶלְעָלֵ֑ה
and Elealeh
elale or elaleh, a place east of the jordan
#12
כִּ֧י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#13
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#14
קֵיצֵ֛ךְ
for thy summer fruits
harvest (as the crop), whether the product (grain or fruit) or the (dry) season
#15
וְעַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#16
קְצִירֵ֖ךְ
and for thy harvest
severed, a limb (of a tree, or simply foliage)
#17
הֵידָ֥ד
for the shouting
acclamation
#18
נָפָֽל׃
is fallen
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

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 revelation 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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