Isaiah 40:26

Authorized King James Version

Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
שְׂאוּ
Lift up
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
#2
מָר֨וֹם
on high
altitude, i.e., concretely (an elevated place), abstractly (elevation, figuratively (elation), or adverbially (aloft)
#3
עֵינֵיכֶ֤ם
your eyes
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
#4
וּרְאוּ֙
and behold
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#5
מִי
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
#6
בָרָ֣א
who hath created
(absolutely) to create; (qualified) to cut down (a wood), select, feed (as formative processes)
#7
אֵ֔לֶּה
these or those
#8
הַמּוֹצִ֥יא
these things that bringeth out
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#9
בְמִסְפָּ֖ר
by number
a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration
#10
צְבָאָ֑ם
their host
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
#11
לְכֻלָּם֙
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#12
בְּשֵׁ֣ם
them all by names
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
#13
יִקְרָ֔א
he calleth
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
#14
מֵרֹ֤ב
by the greatness
abundance (in any respect)
#15
אוֹנִים֙
of his might
ability, power, (figuratively) wealth
#16
וְאַמִּ֣יץ
for that he is strong
strong or (abstractly) strength
#17
כֹּ֔חַ
in power
vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)
#18
אִ֖ישׁ
not one
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)
#19
לֹ֥א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#20
נֶעְדָּֽר׃
faileth
to arrange, as a battle, a vineyard (to hoe); hence, to muster and so to miss (or find wanting)

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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