Isaiah 36:10

Authorized King James Version

And am I now come up without the LORD against this land to destroy it? the LORD said unto me, Go up against this land, and destroy it.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְעַתָּה֙
at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive
#2
הֲמִבַּלְעֲדֵ֣י
without
except, without, besides
#3
יְהוָה֙
it the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#4
עֲלֵ֛ה
And am I now come up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#5
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#6
הָאָ֥רֶץ
against this land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#7
הַזֹּ֖את
this (often used adverb)
#8
וְהַשְׁחִיתָֽהּ׃
and destroy
to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)
#9
יְהוָה֙
it the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#10
אָמַ֣ר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#11
אֵלַ֔י
near, with or among; often in general, to
#12
עֲלֵ֛ה
And am I now come up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#13
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#14
הָאָ֥רֶץ
against this land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#15
הַזֹּ֖את
this (often used adverb)
#16
וְהַשְׁחִיתָֽהּ׃
and destroy
to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)

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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