Isaiah 30:17

Authorized King James Version

One thousand shall flee at the rebuke of one; at the rebuke of five shall ye flee: till ye be left as a beacon upon the top of a mountain, and as an ensign on an hill.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אֶ֣לֶף
thousand
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#2
אֶחָ֔ד
One
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
#3
מִפְּנֵ֛י
at
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#4
גַּעֲרַ֥ת
the rebuke
a chiding
#5
אֶחָ֔ד
One
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
#6
מִפְּנֵ֛י
at
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#7
גַּעֲרַ֥ת
the rebuke
a chiding
#8
חֲמִשָּׁ֖ה
of five
five
#9
תָּנֻ֑סוּ
shall ye flee
to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)
#10
עַ֣ד
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#11
אִם
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#12
נוֹתַרְתֶּ֗ם
till ye be left
to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left; causatively to leave, cause to abound, preserve
#13
כַּתֹּ֙רֶן֙
as a beacon
a pole (as a mast or flagstaff)
#14
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#15
רֹ֣אשׁ
upon the top
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
#16
הָהָ֔ר
of a mountain
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
#17
וְכַנֵּ֖ס
and as an ensign
a flag; also a sail; by implication, a flagstaff; generally a signal; figuratively, a token
#18
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#19
הַגִּבְעָֽה׃
on an hill
a hillock

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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