Isaiah 34:7

Authorized King James Version

And the unicorns shall come down with them, and the bullocks with the bulls; and their land shall be soaked with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְיָרְד֤וּ
shall come down
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
#2
רְאֵמִים֙
And the unicorns
a wild bull (from its conspicuousness)
#3
עִמָּ֔ם
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
#4
וּפָרִ֖ים
with them and the bullocks
a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof)
#5
עִם
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
#6
אַבִּירִ֑ים
H47
with the bulls
a valiant one
#7
וְרִוְּתָ֤ה
shall be soaked
to slake the thirst (occasionally of other appetites)
#8
אַרְצָם֙
and their land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#9
מִדָּ֔ם
with 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
#10
וַעֲפָרָ֖ם
and their dust
dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud
#11
מֵחֵ֥לֶב
with fatness
fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part
#12
יְדֻשָּֽׁן׃
made fat
to be fat; transitively, to fatten (or regard as fat); specifically to anoint; figuratively, to satisfy; to remove (fat) ashes (of sacrifices)

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

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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