Isaiah 41:19

Authorized King James Version

I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, and the pine, and the box tree together:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אֶתֵּ֤ן
I will plant
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#2
בַּמִּדְבָּר֙
in the wilderness
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
#3
אֶ֣רֶז
the cedar
a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots)
#4
שִׁטָּ֔ה
the shittah tree
the acacia (from its scourging thorns)
#5
וַהֲדַ֖ס
and the myrtle
the myrtle
#6
וְעֵ֣ץ
tree
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
#7
שָׁ֑מֶן
and the oil
grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness
#8
אָשִׂ֣ים
I will set
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#9
בָּעֲרָבָ֗ה
in the desert
a desert; especially (with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the jordan and its continuation to the red sea
#10
בְּר֛וֹשׁ
the fir tree
a cypress (?) tree; hence, a lance or a musical instrument (as made of that wood)
#11
תִּדְהָ֥ר
and the pine
enduring; a species of hard-wood or lasting tree (perhaps oak)
#12
וּתְאַשּׁ֖וּר
and the box tree
a species of cedar (from its erectness)
#13
יַחְדָּֽו׃
together
properly, a unit, i.e., (adverb) unitedly

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Isaiah. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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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