Isaiah 49:23

Authorized King James Version

And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְהָי֨וּ
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
מְלָכִ֜ים
And kings
a king
#3
אֹֽמְנַ֗יִךְ
shall be thy nursing fathers
properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanen
#4
וְשָׂרֽוֹתֵיהֶם֙
and their queens
a mistress, i.e., female noble
#5
מֵינִ֣יקֹתַ֔יִךְ
thy nursing mothers
to suck; causatively, to give milk
#6
אַפַּ֗יִם
to thee with their face
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
#7
אֶ֚רֶץ
toward the earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#8
יִשְׁתַּ֣חֲווּ
they shall bow down
to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)
#9
לָ֔ךְ
H0
#10
וַעֲפַ֥ר
the dust
dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud
#11
רַגְלַ֖יִךְ
of thy feet
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
#12
יְלַחֵ֑כוּ
and lick up
to lick
#13
וְיָדַ֙עַתְּ֙
and thou shalt know
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
#14
כִּֽי
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#15
אֲנִ֣י
i
#16
יְהוָ֔ה
that I am the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#17
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#18
לֹֽא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#19
יֵבֹ֖שׁוּ
for they shall not be ashamed
properly, to pale, i.e., by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be disappointed or delayed
#20
קוָֹֽי׃
that wait
to bind together (perhaps by twisting), i.e., collect; (figuratively) to expect

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 sovereignty 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 historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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