Isaiah 5:26

Authorized King James Version

And he will lift up an ensign to the nations from far, and will hiss unto them from the end of the earth: and, behold, they shall come with speed swiftly:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְנָֽשָׂא
And he will lift up
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
#2
נֵ֤ס
an ensign
a flag; also a sail; by implication, a flagstaff; generally a signal; figuratively, a token
#3
לַגּוֹיִם֙
to the nations
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
#4
מֵרָח֔וֹק
from far
remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used adverbially (with preposition)
#5
וְשָׁ֥רַק
and will hiss
properly, to be shrill, i.e., to whistle or hiss (as a call or in scorn)
#6
ל֖וֹ
H0
#7
מִקְצֵ֣ה
unto them from the end
an extremity
#8
הָאָ֑רֶץ
of the earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#9
וְהִנֵּ֥ה
lo!
#10
מְהֵרָ֖ה
with speed
properly, a hurry; hence (adverbially) promptly
#11
קַ֥ל
swiftly
light; (by implication) rapid (also adverbial)
#12
יָבֽוֹא׃
and behold they shall come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Isaiah. The concept of covenant community 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

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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original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