Isaiah 4:3

Authorized King James Version

And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְהָיָ֣ה׀
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
הַנִּשְׁאָ֣ר
And it shall come to pass that he that is left
properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant
#3
בְּצִיּ֗וֹן
in Zion
tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem
#4
וְהַנּוֹתָר֙
and he that remaineth
to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left; causatively to leave, cause to abound, preserve
#5
בִּירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃
in Jerusalem
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
#6
קָד֖וֹשׁ
holy
sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary
#7
יֵאָ֣מֶר
shall be called
to say (used with great latitude)
#8
ל֑וֹ
H0
#9
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#10
הַכָּת֥וּב
even every one that is written
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
#11
לַחַיִּ֖ים
among the living
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
#12
בִּירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃
in Jerusalem
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

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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