Isaiah 31:9

Authorized King James Version

And he shall pass over to his strong hold for fear, and his princes shall be afraid of the ensign, saith the LORD, whose fire is in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְסַלְעוֹ֙
to his strong hold
a craggy rock, literally or figuratively (a fortress)
#2
מִמָּג֣וֹר
for fear
a fright (objective or subjective)
#3
יַֽעֲב֔וֹר
And he shall pass over
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
#4
וְחַתּ֥וּ
shall be afraid
properly, to prostrate; hence, to break down, either (literally) by violence, or (figuratively) by confusion and fear
#5
מִנֵּ֖ס
of the ensign
a flag; also a sail; by implication, a flagstaff; generally a signal; figuratively, a token
#6
שָׂרָ֑יו
and his princes
a head person (of any rank or class)
#7
נְאֻם
saith
an oracle
#8
יְהוָ֗ה
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#9
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#10
א֥וּר
whose fire
flame; hence (in the plural) the east (as being the region of light)
#11
לוֹ֙
H0
#12
בְּצִיּ֔וֹן
is in Zion
tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem
#13
וְתַנּ֥וּר
and his furnace
a fire-pot
#14
ל֖וֹ
H0
#15
בִּירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃
in Jerusalem
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

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 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 sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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