Isaiah 2:4

Authorized King James Version

And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְשָׁפַט֙
And he shall judge
to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal
#2
בֵּ֣ין
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
#3
גּוֹי֙
against nation
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
#4
וְהוֹכִ֖יחַ
and shall rebuke
to be right (i.e., correct); reciprocal, to argue; causatively, to decide, justify or convict
#5
לְעַמִּ֣ים
people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#6
רַבִּ֑ים
many
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
#7
וְכִתְּת֨וּ
and they shall beat
to bruise or violently strike
#8
חֶ֔רֶב
sword
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
#9
לְאִתִּ֗ים
into plowshares
a hoe or other digging implement
#10
וַחֲנִיתֽוֹתֵיהֶם֙
and their spears
a lance (for thrusting, like pitching a tent)
#11
לְמַזְמֵר֔וֹת
into pruninghooks
a pruning-knife
#12
לֹא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#13
יִשָּׂ֨א
shall not lift up
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
#14
גּוֹי֙
against nation
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
#15
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#16
גּוֹי֙
against nation
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
#17
חֶ֔רֶב
sword
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
#18
וְלֹא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#19
יִלְמְד֥וּ
neither shall they learn
properly, to goad, i.e., (by implication) to teach (the rod being an middle eastern incentive)
#20
ע֖וֹד
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
#21
מִלְחָמָֽה׃
war
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

Analysis

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

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

People