Isaiah 5:24

Authorized King James Version

Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
לָכֵן֩
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
#2
כֶּאֱכֹ֨ל
devoureth
to eat (literally or figuratively)
#3
קַ֜שׁ
the stubble
straw (as dry)
#4
לְשׁ֣וֹן
and the flame
the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame,
#5
אֵ֗שׁ
Therefore as the fire
fire (literally or figuratively)
#6
וַחֲשַׁ֤שׁ
the chaff
dry grass
#7
לֶֽהָבָה֙
flame
#8
יִרְפֶּ֔ה
consumeth
to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative)
#9
שָׁרְשָׁם֙
so their root
a root (literally or figuratively)
#10
כַּמָּ֣ק
shall be as rottenness
properly, a melting, i.e., putridity
#11
יִֽהְיֶ֔ה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#12
וּפִרְחָ֖ם
and their blossom
a calyx (natural or artificial); generally, bloom
#13
כָּאָבָ֣ק
H80
as dust
light particles (as volatile)
#14
יַעֲלֶ֑ה
shall go up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#15
כִּ֣י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#16
מָאֲס֗וּ
because they have cast away
to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear
#17
אֵ֚ת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#18
תּוֹרַת֙
the law
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch
#19
יְהוָ֣ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#20
צְבָא֔וֹת
of hosts
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
#21
וְאֵ֛ת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#22
אִמְרַ֥ת
the word
an utterance
#23
קְדֽוֹשׁ
of the Holy One
sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary
#24
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#25
נִאֵֽצוּ׃
and despised
to scorn; or (in ecclesiastes 12:5), by interchange for h5132, to bloom

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Isaiah. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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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