Isaiah 17:9

Authorized King James Version

In that day shall his strong cities be as a forsaken bough, and an uppermost branch, which they left because of the children of Israel: and there shall be desolation.

Word-by-Word Analysis

בַּיּ֨וֹם

H3117

In that 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

הַה֜וּא

H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

יִהְי֣וּ׀

H1961

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

עָרֵ֣י

H5892

cities

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

מָעוּזּ֗וֹ

H4581

shall his strong

a fortified place; figuratively, a defense

עָזְב֔וּ

H5800

be as a forsaken

to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc

הַחֹ֙רֶשׁ֙

H2793

bough

a forest (perhaps as furnishing the material for fabric)

וְהָ֣אָמִ֔יר

H534

and an uppermost branch

a summit (of a tree or mountain)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר

H834

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

#10

עָזְב֔וּ

H5800

be as a forsaken

to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc

#11

מִפְּנֵ֖י

H6440

because

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

#12

בְּנֵ֣י

H1121

of the children

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

#13

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל

H3478

of Israel

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

#14

וְהָיְתָ֖ה

H1961

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

#15

שְׁמָמָֽה׃

H8077

and there shall be desolation

devastation; figuratively, astonishment

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

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 divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
How does this verse's literary context within Isaiah chapter 17 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?

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