Isaiah 23:8

Authorized King James Version

Who hath taken this counsel against Tyre, the crowning city, whose merchants are princes, whose traffickers are the honourable of the earth?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
מִ֚י
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
#2
יָעַ֣ץ
Who hath taken this counsel
to advise; reflexively, to deliberate or resolve
#3
זֹ֔את
this (often used adverb)
#4
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#5
צֹ֖ר
against Tyre
tsor, a place in palestine
#6
הַמַּֽעֲטִירָ֑ה
the crowning
to encircle (for attack or protection); especially to crown (literally or figuratively)
#7
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#8
סֹחֲרֶ֙יהָ֙
city whose merchants
to travel round (specifically as a pedlar); intensively, to palpitate
#9
שָׂרִ֔ים
are princes
a head person (of any rank or class)
#10
כִּנְעָנֶ֖יהָ
a kenaanite or inhabitant of kenaan; by implication, a pedlar (the canaanites standing for their neighbors the ishmaelites, who conducted mercantile c
#11
נִכְבַּדֵּי
are the honourable
to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same
#12
אָֽרֶץ׃
of the earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

Analysis

Within the broader context of Isaiah, this passage highlights salvation through rhetorical questioning that engages the reader. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Isaiah.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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