Isaiah 25:8

Authorized King James Version

He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
בִּלַּ֤ע
He will swallow up
to make away with (specifically by swallowing); generally, to destroy
#2
הַמָּ֙וֶת֙
death
death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin
#3
לָנֶ֔צַח
in victory
properly, a goal, i.e., the bright object at a distance travelled towards; hence (figuratively), splendor, or (subjectively) truthfulness, or (objecti
#4
וּמָחָ֨ה
will wipe away
properly, to stroke or rub; by implication, to erase; also to smooth (as if with oil), i.e., grease or make fat
#5
אֲדֹנָ֧י
and the Lord
the lord (used as a proper name of god only)
#6
יְהוִ֛ה
GOD
god
#7
דִּמְעָ֖ה
tears
weeping
#8
מֵעַ֣ל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#9
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#10
פָּנִ֑ים
from off all faces
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#11
וְחֶרְפַּ֣ת
and the rebuke
contumely, disgrace, the pudenda
#12
עַמּ֗וֹ
of his people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#13
יָסִיר֙
shall he take away
to turn off (literally or figuratively)
#14
מֵעַ֣ל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#15
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#16
הָאָ֔רֶץ
from off all the earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#17
כִּ֥י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#18
יְהוָ֖ה
for the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#19
דִּבֵּֽר׃
hath spoken
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

Analysis

Within the broader context of Isaiah, this passage highlights salvation through universal language and absolute statements. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, 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 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 sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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