Isaiah 24:18

Authorized King James Version

And it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows from on high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְֽ֠הָיָה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
הַנָּ֞ס
And it shall come to pass that he who fleeth
to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)
#3
מִקּ֤וֹל
from the noise
a voice or sound
#4
הַפַּ֙חַד֙
of the fear
a (sudden) alarm (properly, the object feared, by implication, the feeling)
#5
יִפֹּ֣ל
shall fall
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
#6
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#7
הַפַּ֔חַת
into the pit
a pit, especially for catching animals
#8
וְהָֽעוֹלֶה֙
and he that cometh up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#9
מִתּ֣וֹךְ
out of the midst
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
#10
הַפַּ֔חַת
into the pit
a pit, especially for catching animals
#11
יִלָּכֵ֖ד
shall be taken
to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere
#12
בַּפָּ֑ח
in the snare
a (metallic) sheet (as pounded thin)
#13
כִּֽי
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#14
אֲרֻבּ֤וֹת
for the windows
a lattice; (by implication) a window, dovecot (because of the pigeon-holes), chimney (with its apertures for smoke), sluice (with openings for water)
#15
מִמָּרוֹם֙
from on high
altitude, i.e., concretely (an elevated place), abstractly (elevation, figuratively (elation), or adverbially (aloft)
#16
נִפְתָּ֔חוּ
are open
to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve
#17
וַֽיִּרְעֲשׁ֖וּ
do shake
to undulate (as the earth, the sky, etc.; also a field of grain), particularly through fear; specifically, to spring (as a locust)
#18
מ֥וֹסְדֵי
and the foundations
a foundation
#19
אָֽרֶץ׃
of the earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

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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