Isaiah 3:9

Authorized King James Version

The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
הַכָּרַ֤ת
The shew
respect, i.e., partiality
#2
פְּנֵיהֶם֙
of their countenance
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#3
עָ֣נְתָה
doth witness against them
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
#4
בָּ֔ם
H0
#5
וְחַטָּאתָ֛ם
their sin
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
#6
כִּסְדֹ֥ם
as Sodom
sedom, a place near the dead sea
#7
הִגִּ֖ידוּ
and they declare
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
#8
לֹ֣א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#9
כִחֵ֑דוּ
they hide
to secrete, by act or word; hence (intensively) to destroy
#10
א֣וֹי
it not Woe
lamentation; also interjectionally oh!
#11
לְנַפְשָׁ֔ם
unto their soul
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
#12
כִּֽי
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#13
גָמְל֥וּ
for they have rewarded
to treat a person (well or ill), i.e., benefit or requite; by implication (of toil), to ripen, i.e., (specifically) to wean
#14
לָהֶ֖ם
they (only used when emphatic)
#15
רָעָֽה׃
evil
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

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 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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