Isaiah 3:14

Authorized King James Version

The LORD will enter into judgment with the ancients of his people, and the princes thereof: for ye have eaten up the vineyard; the spoil of the poor is in your houses.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
יְהוָה֙
The LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#2
בְּמִשְׁפָּ֣ט
into judgment
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
#3
יָב֔וֹא
will enter
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#4
עִם
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
#5
זִקְנֵ֥י
with the ancients
old
#6
עַמּ֖וֹ
of his people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#7
וְשָׂרָ֑יו
and the princes
a head person (of any rank or class)
#8
וְאַתֶּם֙
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#9
בִּֽעַרְתֶּ֣ם
thereof for ye have eaten up
to be(-come) brutish
#10
הַכֶּ֔רֶם
the vineyard
a garden or vineyard
#11
גְּזֵלַ֥ת
the spoil
to rob
#12
הֶֽעָנִ֖י
of the poor
depressed, in mind or circumstances
#13
בְּבָתֵּיכֶֽם׃
is in your houses
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

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 sovereignty 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 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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