Isaiah 17:6

Authorized King James Version

Yet gleaning grapes shall be left in it, as the shaking of an olive tree, two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough, four or five in the outmost fruitful branches thereof, saith the LORD God of Israel.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְנִשְׁאַר
shall be left
properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant
#2
בּ֤וֹ
H0
#3
עֽוֹלֵלֹת֙
Yet gleaning grapes
only in plural gleanings; by extension gleaning-time
#4
כְּנֹ֣קֶף
in it as the shaking
a threshing (of olives)
#5
זַ֔יִת
of an olive tree
an olive (as yielding illuminating oil), the tree, the branch or the berry
#6
שְׁנַ֧יִם
two
two; also (as ordinal) twofold
#7
שְׁלֹשָׁ֛ה
or three
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
#8
גַּרְגְּרִ֖ים
berries
a berry (as if a pellet of rumination)
#9
בְּרֹ֣אשׁ
in the top
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
#10
אָמִ֑יר
of the uppermost bough
a summit (of a tree or mountain)
#11
אַרְבָּעָ֣ה
four
four
#12
חֲמִשָּׁ֗ה
or five
five
#13
בִּסְעִפֶ֙יהָ֙
branches
a fissure (of rocks); also a bough (as subdivided)
#14
פֹּֽרִיָּ֔ה
in the outmost fruitful
to bear fruit (literally or figuratively)
#15
נְאֻם
thereof saith
an oracle
#16
יְהוָ֖ה
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#17
אֱלֹהֵ֥י
God
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
#18
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

Analysis

Within the broader context of Isaiah, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, 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 divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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