Isaiah 35:10

Authorized King James Version

And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וּפְדוּיֵ֨י
And the ransomed
to sever, i.e., ransom; generally to release, preserve
#2
יְהוָ֜ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#3
יְשֻׁב֗וּן
shall return
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#4
וּבָ֤אוּ
and come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#5
צִיּוֹן֙
to Zion
tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem
#6
בְּרִנָּ֔ה
with songs
properly, a creaking (or shrill sound), i.e., shout (of joy or grief)
#7
וְשִׂמְחָה֙
joy
blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival)
#8
עוֹלָ֖ם
and everlasting
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
#9
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#10
רֹאשָׁ֑ם
upon their heads
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
#11
שָׂשׂ֤וֹן
and gladness
cheerfulness; specifically, welcome
#12
וְשִׂמְחָה֙
joy
blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival)
#13
יַשִּׂ֔יגוּ
they shall obtain
to reach (literally or figuratively)
#14
וְנָ֖סוּ
shall flee away
to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)
#15
יָג֥וֹן
and sorrow
affliction
#16
וַאֲנָחָֽה׃
and sighing
sighing

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 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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