Isaiah 28:25

Authorized King James Version

When he hath made plain the face thereof, doth he not cast abroad the fitches, and scatter the cummin, and cast in the principal wheat and the appointed barley and the rie in their place?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
הֲלוֹא֙
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#2
אִם
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#3
שִׁוָּ֣ה
When he hath made plain
properly, to level, i.e., equalize; figuratively, to resemble; by implication, to adjust (i.e., counterbalance, be suitable, compose, place, yield, et
#4
פָנֶ֔יהָ
the face
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#5
וְהֵפִ֥יץ
thereof doth he not cast abroad
to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively (especially to disperse)
#6
קֶ֖צַח
the fitches
fennel-flower (from its pungency)
#7
וְכַמֹּ֣ן
the cummin
'cummin' (from its use as a condiment)
#8
יִזְרֹ֑ק
and scatter
to sprinkle (fluid or solid particles)
#9
וְשָׂ֨ם
and cast
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#10
חִטָּ֤ה
wheat
wheat, whether the grain or the plant
#11
שׂוֹרָה֙
in the principal
properly, a ring, i.e., (by analogy) a row (adverbially)
#12
וּשְׂעֹרָ֣ה
barley
barley (as villose)
#13
נִסְמָ֔ן
and the appointed
to designate
#14
וְכֻסֶּ֖מֶת
and the rie
spelt (from its bristliness as if just shorn)
#15
גְּבֻלָתֽוֹ׃
in their place
a boundary, region

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 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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