Isaiah 40:27

Authorized King James Version

Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from the LORD, and my judgment is passed over from my God?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
לָ֤מָּה
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#2
תֹאמַר֙
Why sayest
to say (used with great latitude)
#3
יַֽעֲקֹ֔ב
thou O Jacob
jaakob, the israelitish patriarch
#4
וּתְדַבֵּ֖ר
and speakest
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#5
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
O Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#6
נִסְתְּרָ֤ה
is hid
to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively
#7
דַרְכִּי֙
My way
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
#8
מֵיְהוָ֔ה
from the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#9
וּמֵאֱלֹהַ֖י
from my God
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
#10
מִשְׁפָּטִ֥י
and my judgment
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
#11
יַעֲבֽוֹר׃
is passed over
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

Analysis

Within the broader context of Isaiah, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Isaiah.

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 sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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