Isaiah 29:4

Authorized King James Version

And thou shalt be brought down, and shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the dust, and thy voice shall be, as of one that hath a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper out of the dust.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְשָׁפַלְתְּ֙
And thou shalt be brought down
to depress or sink (especially figuratively, to humiliate, intransitive or transitive)
#2
מֵאֶ֙רֶץ֙
out of the ground
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#3
תְּדַבֵּ֔רִי
and shalt speak
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#4
וּמֵעָפָ֖ר
out of the dust
dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud
#5
תִּשַּׁ֣ח
shall be low
to sink or depress (reflexive or causative)
#6
אִמְרָתֵ֥ךְ
and thy speech
an utterance
#7
וְֽ֠הָיָה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#8
כְּא֤וֹב
shall be as of one that hath a familiar spirit
properly, a mumble, i.e., a water-skin (from its hollow sound); hence a necromancer (ventriloquist, as from a jar)
#9
מֵאֶ֙רֶץ֙
out of the ground
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#10
קוֹלֵ֔ךְ
and thy voice
a voice or sound
#11
וּמֵעָפָ֖ר
out of the dust
dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud
#12
אִמְרָתֵ֥ךְ
and thy speech
an utterance
#13
תְּצַפְצֵֽף׃
shall whisper
to coo or chirp (as a bird)

Analysis

Within the broader context of Isaiah, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. 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 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 revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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