Isaiah 34:4

Authorized King James Version

And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a falling fig from the fig tree.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְנָמַ֙קּוּ֙

H4743

shall be dissolved

to melt; figuratively, to flow, dwindle, vanish

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

צְבָאָ֣ם

H6635

And all the host

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם

H8064

and the heavens

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

וְנָגֹ֥לּוּ

H1556

shall be rolled together

to roll (literally or figuratively)

כַסֵּ֖פֶר

H5612

as a scroll

properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book

הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם

H8064

and the heavens

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

וְכָל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

צְבָאָ֣ם

H6635

And all the host

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

#10

וּכְנֹבֶ֖לֶת

H5034

and as a falling

to wilt; generally, to fall away, fail, faint

#11

וּכְנֹבֶ֖לֶת

H5034

and as a falling

to wilt; generally, to fall away, fail, faint

#12

עָלֶה֙

H5929

as the leaf

a leaf (as coming up on a tree); collectively, foliage

#13

מִגֶּ֔פֶן

H1612

from the vine

a vine (as twining), especially the grape

#14

וּכְנֹבֶ֖לֶת

H5034

and as a falling

to wilt; generally, to fall away, fail, faint

#15

מִתְּאֵנָֽה׃

H8384

fig from the fig tree

the fig (tree or fruit)

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

How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
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?

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