Isaiah 21:2

Authorized King James Version

A grievous vision is declared unto me; the treacherous dealer dealeth treacherously, and the spoiler spoileth. Go up, O Elam: besiege, O Media; all the sighing thereof have I made to cease.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
חָז֥וּת
vision
a look; hence (figuratively) striking appearance, revelation, or (by implication) compact
#2
קָשָׁ֖ה
A grievous
severe (in various applications)
#3
הֻגַּד
is declared
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
#4
לִ֑י
H0
#5
בּוֹגֵד֙
dealeth treacherously
to cover (with a garment); figuratively, to act covertly; by implication, to pillage
#6
בּוֹגֵד֙
dealeth treacherously
to cover (with a garment); figuratively, to act covertly; by implication, to pillage
#7
שׁוֹדֵ֔ד
and the spoiler
properly, to be burly, i.e., (figuratively) powerful (passively, impregnable); by implication, to ravage
#8
שׁוֹדֵ֔ד
and the spoiler
properly, to be burly, i.e., (figuratively) powerful (passively, impregnable); by implication, to ravage
#9
עֲלִ֤י
Go up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#10
עֵילָם֙
O Elam
elam, a son of shem and his descendants, with their country; also of six israelites
#11
צוּרִ֣י
besiege
to cramp, i.e., confine (in many applications, literally and figuratively, formative or hostile)
#12
מָדַ֔י
O Media
madai, a country of central asia
#13
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#14
אַנְחָתָ֖ה
all the sighing
sighing
#15
הִשְׁבַּֽתִּי׃
thereof have I made to cease
to repose, i.e., desist from exertion; used in many implied relations (causative, figurative or specific)

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

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

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