Isaiah 4:5

Authorized King James Version

And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וּבָרָ֣א
will create
(absolutely) to create; (qualified) to cut down (a wood), select, feed (as formative processes)
#2
יְהוָ֡ה
And the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#3
עַל֩
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#4
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#5
מְכ֨וֹן
upon every dwelling place
properly, a fixture, i.e., a basis; generally a place, especially as an abode
#6
הַר
of mount
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
#7
צִיּ֜וֹן
Zion
tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem
#8
וְעַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#9
מִקְרָאֶ֗הָ
and upon her assemblies
something called out, i.e., a public meeting (the act, the persons, or the place); also a rehearsal
#10
עָנָ֤ן׀
a cloud
a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e., the nimbus or thunder-cloud
#11
יוֹמָם֙
by day
daily
#12
וְעָשָׁ֔ן
and smoke
smoke, literally or figuratively (vapor, dust, anger)
#13
וְנֹ֛גַהּ
and the shining
brilliancy (literally or figuratively)
#14
אֵ֥שׁ
fire
fire (literally or figuratively)
#15
לֶהָבָ֖ה
of a flaming
flame
#16
לָ֑יְלָה
by night
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
#17
כִּ֥י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#18
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#19
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#20
כָּב֖וֹד
for upon all the glory
properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness
#21
חֻפָּֽה׃
shall be a defence
a canopy

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 glory 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 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 glory. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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