Isaiah 40:6

Authorized King James Version

The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
ק֚וֹל
The voice
a voice or sound
#2
וְאָמַ֖ר
And he said
to say (used with great latitude)
#3
אֶקְרָ֑א
Cry
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
#4
וְאָמַ֖ר
And he said
to say (used with great latitude)
#5
מָ֣ה
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#6
אֶקְרָ֑א
Cry
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
#7
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#8
הַבָּשָׂ֣ר
All flesh
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
#9
חָצִ֔יר
is grass
grass; also a leek (collectively)
#10
וְכָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#11
חַסְדּ֖וֹ
and all the goodliness
kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
#12
כְּצִ֥יץ
thereof is as the flower
properly, glistening, i.e., a burnished plate; a wing (as gleaming in the air)
#13
הַשָּׂדֶֽה׃
of the field
a field (as flat)

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

Questions for Reflection

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