Isaiah 34:6

Authorized King James Version

The sword of the LORD is filled with blood, it is made fat with fatness, and with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams: for the LORD hath a sacrifice in Bozrah, and a great slaughter in the land of Idumea.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
חֶ֣רֶב
The sword
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
#2
לַֽיהוָה֙
for the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#3
מָלְאָ֥ה
is filled
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
#4
מִדַּ֤ם
and with the blood
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
#5
הֻדַּ֣שְׁנָה
it is made fat
to be fat; transitively, to fatten (or regard as fat); specifically to anoint; figuratively, to satisfy; to remove (fat) ashes (of sacrifices)
#6
מֵחֵ֖לֶב
with fatness
fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part
#7
מִדַּ֤ם
and with the blood
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
#8
כָּרִים֙
of lambs
a ram (as full-grown and fat), including a battering-ram (as butting)
#9
וְעַתּוּדִ֔ים
and goats
prepared, i.e., full grown; spoken only (in plural) of he-goats, or (figuratively) leaders of the people
#10
מֵחֵ֖לֶב
with fatness
fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part
#11
כִּלְי֣וֹת
of the kidneys
a kidney (as an essential organ); figuratively, the mind (as the interior self)
#12
אֵילִ֑ים
of rams
properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree
#13
כִּ֣י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#14
זֶ֤בַח
hath a sacrifice
properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)
#15
לַֽיהוָה֙
for the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#16
בְּבָצְרָ֔ה
in Bozrah
botsrah, a place in edom
#17
וְטֶ֥בַח
slaughter
properly, something slaughtered; hence, a beast (or meat, as butchered); abstractly butchery (or concretely, a place of slaughter)
#18
גָּד֖וֹל
and a great
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
#19
בְּאֶ֥רֶץ
in the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#20
אֱדֽוֹם׃
of Idumea
edom, the elder twin-brother of jacob; hence the region (idumaea) occupied by him

Analysis

Within the broader context of Isaiah, this passage highlights salvation through declarative statements that establish theological truth. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, 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 sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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