Isaiah 38:8

Authorized King James Version

Behold, I will bring again the shadow of the degrees, which is gone down in the sun dial of Ahaz, ten degrees backward. So the sun returned ten degrees, by which degrees it was gone down.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
הִנְנִ֣י
lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if
#2
וַתָּ֤שָׁב
Behold I will bring again
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#3
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#4
צֵ֣ל
the shadow
shade, whether literal or figurative
#5
בַּֽמַּעֲל֖וֹת
by which degrees
elevation, i.e., the act (literally, a journey to a higher place, figuratively, a thought arising), or (concretely) the condition (literally, a step o
#6
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#7
יָרָֽדָה׃
it was gone 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
#8
בַּֽמַּעֲל֖וֹת
by which degrees
elevation, i.e., the act (literally, a journey to a higher place, figuratively, a thought arising), or (concretely) the condition (literally, a step o
#9
אָחָ֥ז
of Ahaz
achaz, the name of a jewish king and of an israelite
#10
הַשֶּׁ֙מֶשׁ֙
So the sun
the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement
#11
אֲחֹרַנִּ֖ית
backward
backwards
#12
עֶ֣שֶׂר
ten
ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)
#13
בַּֽמַּעֲל֖וֹת
by which degrees
elevation, i.e., the act (literally, a journey to a higher place, figuratively, a thought arising), or (concretely) the condition (literally, a step o
#14
וַתָּ֤שָׁב
Behold I will bring again
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#15
הַשֶּׁ֙מֶשׁ֙
So the sun
the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement
#16
עֶ֣שֶׂר
ten
ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)
#17
בַּֽמַּעֲל֖וֹת
by which degrees
elevation, i.e., the act (literally, a journey to a higher place, figuratively, a thought arising), or (concretely) the condition (literally, a step o
#18
בַּֽמַּעֲל֖וֹת
by which degrees
elevation, i.e., the act (literally, a journey to a higher place, figuratively, a thought arising), or (concretely) the condition (literally, a step o
#19
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#20
יָרָֽדָה׃
it was gone 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

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Isaiah. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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