Isaiah 40:10

Authorized King James Version

Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
הִנֵּ֨ה
lo!
#2
אֲדֹנָ֤י
Behold the Lord
the lord (used as a proper name of god only)
#3
יְהוִה֙
GOD
god
#4
בְּחָזָ֣ק
with strong
strong (usu. in a bad sense, hard, bold, violent)
#5
יָב֔וֹא
will come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#6
וּזְרֹע֖וֹ
hand and his arm
the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force
#7
מֹ֣שְׁלָה
shall rule
to rule
#8
ל֑וֹ
H0
#9
הִנֵּ֤ה
lo!
#10
שְׂכָרוֹ֙
for him behold his reward
payment of contract; concretely, salary, fare, maintenance; by implication, compensation, benefit
#11
אִתּ֔וֹ
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
#12
וּפְעֻלָּת֖וֹ
is with him and his work
(abstractly) work
#13
לְפָנָֽיו׃
before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

Analysis

The kingdom of God theme here intersects with the progressive revelation of God's rule from creation to consummation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of development from creation mandate through Davidic kingdom to eschatological fulfillment. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's reign from creation through the millennial kingdom.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on kingdom of God particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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