Isaiah 2:9

Authorized King James Version

And the mean man boweth down, and the great man humbleth himself: therefore forgive them not.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּשַּׁ֥ח
boweth down
to sink or depress (reflexive or causative)
#2
אָדָ֖ם
And the mean man
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
#3
וַיִּשְׁפַּל
humbleth
to depress or sink (especially figuratively, to humiliate, intransitive or transitive)
#4
אִ֑ישׁ
and the great man
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#5
וְאַל
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
#6
תִּשָּׂ֖א
himself therefore forgive
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
#7
לָהֶֽם׃
H0

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Isaiah. The concept of divine revelation 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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.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

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