Isaiah 36:12

Authorized King James Version

But Rabshakeh said, Hath my master sent me to thy master and to thee to speak these words? hath he not sent me to the men that sit upon the wall, that they may eat their own dung, and drink their own piss with you?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
רַבְשָׁקֵ֗ה
But Rabshakeh
rabshakeh, a babylonian official
#3
הַאֶ֨ל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
אֲדֹנִ֔י
Hath my master
sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)
#5
וְאֵלֶ֙יךָ֙
near, with or among; often in general, to
#6
שְׁלָחַ֣נִי
sent
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
#7
אֲדֹנִ֔י
Hath my master
sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)
#8
לְדַבֵּ֖ר
and to thee to speak
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#9
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#10
הַדְּבָרִ֣ים
these words
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#11
הָאֵ֑לֶּה
these or those
#12
הֲלֹ֣א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#13
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#14
הָאֲנָשִׁ֗ים
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#15
הַיֹּֽשְׁבִים֙
that sit
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
#16
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#17
הַ֣חוֹמָ֔ה
upon the wall
a wall of protection
#18
לֶאֱכֹ֣ל
that they may eat
to eat (literally or figuratively)
#19
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#20
חַרְאֵיהֶם
their own dung
excrement
#21
וְלִשְׁתּ֛וֹת
and drink
to imbibe (literally or figuratively)
#22
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#23
שֵׁינֵיהֶם
urine
#24
עִמָּכֶֽם׃
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

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

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