Isaiah 31:8

Authorized King James Version

Then shall the Assyrian fall with the sword, not of a mighty man; and the sword, not of a mean man, shall devour him: but he shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall be discomfited.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְנָפַ֤ל

H5307

fall

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

אַשּׁוּר֙

H804

Then shall the Assyrian

ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire

חֶ֔רֶב

H2719

and the sword

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

לֹא

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אִ֔ישׁ

H376

not of a mighty man

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

חֶ֔רֶב

H2719

and the sword

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

לֹֽא

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אָדָ֖ם

H120

not of a mean man

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

תֹּֽאכֲלֶ֑נּוּ

H398

shall devour

to eat (literally or figuratively)

#10

וְנָ֥ס

H5127

him but he shall flee

to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)

#11

לוֹ֙

#12

מִפְּנֵי

H6440

from

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

#13

חֶ֔רֶב

H2719

and the sword

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

#14

וּבַחוּרָ֖יו

H970

and his young men

properly, selected, i.e., a youth (often collective)

#15

לָמַ֥ס

H4522

shall be discomfited

properly, a burden (as causing to faint), i.e., a tax in the form of forced labor

#16

יִהְיֽוּ׃

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

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 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

How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
How does this verse's literary context within Isaiah chapter 31 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?

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