Isaiah 42:25

Authorized King James Version

Therefore he hath poured upon him the fury of his anger, and the strength of battle: and it hath set him on fire round about, yet he knew not; and it burned him, yet he laid it not to heart.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּשְׁפֹּ֤ךְ
Therefore he hath poured
to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e., to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc
#2
עָלָיו֙
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#3
חֵמָ֣ה
upon him the fury
heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)
#4
אַפּ֔וֹ
of his anger
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
#5
וֶעֱז֖וּז
and the strength
forcibleness
#6
מִלְחָמָ֑ה
of battle
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
#7
וַתְּלַהֲטֵ֤הוּ
and it hath set him on fire
properly, to lick, i.e., (by implication) to blaze
#8
מִסָּבִיב֙
round about
(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around
#9
וְלֹ֣א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#10
יָדָ֔ע
yet he knew
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
#11
וַתִּבְעַר
not and it burned
to be(-come) brutish
#12
בּ֖וֹ
H0
#13
וְלֹא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#14
יָשִׂ֥ים
him yet he laid
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#15
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#16
לֵֽב׃
it not to heart
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

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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