Isaiah 42:24

Authorized King James Version

Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers? did not the LORD, he against whom we have sinned? for they would not walk in his ways, neither were they obedient unto his law.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
מִֽי
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
#2
נָתַ֨ן
Who gave
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#3
לִמְשִׁוסָּ֧ה
spoilation
#4
יַעֲקֹ֛ב
Jacob
jaakob, the israelitish patriarch
#5
וְיִשְׂרָאֵ֥ל
and Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#6
לְבֹזְזִ֖ים
to the robbers
to plunder
#7
הֲל֣וֹא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#8
יְהוָ֑ה
did not the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#9
ז֚וּ
he against whom
this or that
#10
חָטָ֣אנוּ
we have sinned
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
#11
ל֔וֹ
H0
#12
וְלֹֽא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#13
אָב֤וּ
H14
for they would
to breathe after, i.e., (figuratively) to be acquiescent
#14
בִדְרָכָיו֙
in his ways
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
#15
הָל֔וֹךְ
not walk
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#16
וְלֹ֥א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#17
שָׁמְע֖וּ
neither were they obedient
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#18
בְּתוֹרָתֽוֹ׃
unto his law
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch

Analysis

Within the broader context of Isaiah, this passage highlights salvation through rhetorical questioning that engages the reader. 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

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 salvation 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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