Isaiah 43:5

Authorized King James Version

Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אַל
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
#2
תִּירָ֖א
Fear
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
#3
כִּ֣י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#4
אִתְּךָ
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
#5
אָ֑נִי
i
#6
מִמִּזְרָח֙
from the east
sunrise, i.e., the east
#7
אָבִ֣יא
not for I am with thee I will bring
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#8
זַרְעֶ֔ךָ
thy seed
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
#9
וּמִֽמַּעֲרָ֖ב
thee from the west
the west (as a region of the evening sun)
#10
אֲקַבְּצֶֽךָּ׃
and gather
to grasp, i.e., collect

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

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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.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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