Isaiah 33:20

Authorized King James Version

Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities: thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
חֲזֵ֣ה
Look
to gaze at; mentally to perceive, contemplate (with pleasure); specifically, to have a vision of
#2
צִיּ֔וֹן
upon Zion
tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem
#3
קִרְיַ֖ת
the city
a city
#4
מֽוֹעֲדֵ֑נוּ
of our solemnities
properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for
#5
עֵינֶיךָ֩
thine eyes
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
#6
תִרְאֶ֨ינָה
shall see
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#7
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֜ם
Jerusalem
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
#8
נָוֶ֣ה
habitation
(adjectively) at home; hence (by implication of satisfaction) lovely; also (noun) a home, of god (temple), men (residence), flocks (pasture), or wild
#9
שַׁאֲנָ֗ן
a quiet
secure; in a bad sense, haughty
#10
אֹ֤הֶל
a tabernacle
a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
#11
בַּל
properly, a failure; by implication nothing; usually (adverb) not at all; also lest
#12
יִצְעָן֙
that shall not be taken down
to load up (beasts), i.e., to migrate
#13
בַּל
properly, a failure; by implication nothing; usually (adverb) not at all; also lest
#14
יִסַּ֤ע
be removed
properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e., start on a journey
#15
יְתֵֽדֹתָיו֙
not one of the stakes
a peg
#16
לָנֶ֔צַח
thereof shall ever
properly, a goal, i.e., the bright object at a distance travelled towards; hence (figuratively), splendor, or (subjectively) truthfulness, or (objecti
#17
וְכָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#18
חֲבָלָ֖יו
neither shall any of the cords
ruin
#19
בַּל
properly, a failure; by implication nothing; usually (adverb) not at all; also lest
#20
יִנָּתֵֽקוּ׃
thereof be broken
to tear off

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 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

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