Isaiah 28:4

Authorized King James Version

And the glorious beauty, which is on the head of the fat valley, shall be a fading flower, and as the hasty fruit before the summer; which when he that looketh upon it seeth, while it is yet in his hand he eateth it up.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְֽהָ֨יְתָ֜ה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
צִיצַ֤ת
flower
a flower
#3
נֹבֵל֙
shall be a fading
to wilt; generally, to fall away, fail, faint
#4
צְבִ֣י
And the glorious
a gazelle (as beautiful)
#5
תִפְאַרְתּ֔וֹ
beauty
ornament (abstractly or concretely, literally or figuratively)
#6
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#7
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#8
רֹ֖אשׁ
which is on the head
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
#9
גֵּ֣יא
valley
a gorge (from its lofty sides; hence, narrow, but not a gully or winter-torrent)
#10
שְׁמָנִ֑ים
of the fat
grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness
#11
כְּבִכּוּרָהּ֙
and as the hasty fruit
the first-fruits of the crop
#12
בְּטֶ֣רֶם
properly, non-occurrence; used adverbially, not yet or before
#13
קַ֔יִץ
before the summer
harvest (as the crop), whether the product (grain or fruit) or the (dry) season
#14
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#15
הָֽרֹאֶה֙
upon it seeth
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#16
הָֽרֹאֶה֙
upon it seeth
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#17
אוֹתָ֔הּ
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#18
בְּעוֹדָ֥הּ
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
#19
בְּכַפּ֖וֹ
while it is yet in his hand
the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-
#20
יִבְלָעֶֽנָּה׃
he eateth it up
to make away with (specifically by swallowing); generally, to destroy

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 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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