Isaiah 49:2

Authorized King James Version

And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me;

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְשִׂימֵ֙נִי֙
And he hath made
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#2
פִּי֙
my mouth
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
#3
כְּחֶ֣רֶב
sword
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
#4
חַדָּ֔ה
like a sharp
sharp
#5
בְּצֵ֥ל
in the shadow
shade, whether literal or figurative
#6
יָד֖וֹ
of his hand
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
#7
הֶחְבִּיאָ֑נִי
hath he hid
to secrete
#8
וַיְשִׂימֵ֙נִי֙
And he hath made
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#9
לְחֵ֣ץ
shaft
properly, a piercer, i.e., an arrow; by implication, a wound; figuratively, (of god) thunder-bolt; the shaft of a spear
#10
בָּר֔וּר
me a polished
to clarify (i.e., brighten), examine, select
#11
בְּאַשְׁפָּת֖וֹ
in his quiver
a quiver or arrow-case
#12
הִסְתִּירָֽנִי׃
hath he hid
to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively

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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