Isaiah 21:4

Authorized King James Version

My heart panted, fearfulness affrighted me: the night of my pleasure hath he turned into fear unto me.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
תָּעָ֣ה
panted
to vacillate, i.e., reel or stray (literally or figuratively); also causative of both
#2
לְבָבִ֔י
My heart
the heart (as the most interior organ)
#3
פַּלָּצ֖וּת
fearfulness
affright
#4
בִּֽעֲתָ֑תְנִי
affrighted
to fear
#5
אֵ֚ת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#6
נֶ֣שֶׁף
me the night
properly, a breeze, i.e., (by implication) dusk (when the evening breeze prevails)
#7
חִשְׁקִ֔י
of my pleasure
delight
#8
שָׂ֥ם
hath he turned
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#9
לִ֖י
H0
#10
לַחֲרָדָֽה׃
into fear
fear, anxiety

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

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