Isaiah 50:2

Authorized King James Version

Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because there is no water, and dieth for thirst.

Word-by-Word Analysis

מַדּ֨וּעַ

H4069

what (is) known?; i.e., (by implication) (adverbially) why?

בָּ֜אתִי

H935

Wherefore when I came

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

וְאֵ֣ין

H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

אִ֗ישׁ

H376

was there no man

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

קָרָֽאתִי֮

H7121

when I called

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

וְאֵ֣ין

H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

עוֹנֶה֒

H6030

was there none to answer

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

קָצְרָ֤ה

H7114

at all

to dock off, i.e., curtail (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative); especially to harvest (grass or grain)

קָצְרָ֤ה

H7114

at all

to dock off, i.e., curtail (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative); especially to harvest (grass or grain)

#10

יָדִי֙

H3027

Is my 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

#11

מִפְּד֔וּת

H6304

that it cannot redeem

distinction; also deliverance

#12

וְאִם

H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

#13

אֵֽין

H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

#14

בִּ֥י

#15

כֹ֖חַ

H3581

or have I no power

vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)

#16

לְהַצִּ֑יל

H5337

to deliver

to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense

#17

הֵ֣ן

H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

#18

בְּגַעֲרָתִ֞י

H1606

behold at my rebuke

a chiding

#19

אַחֲרִ֣יב

H2717

I dry up

to parch (through drought) i.e., (by analogy,) to desolate, destroy, kill

#20

יָ֗ם

H3220

the sea

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

#21

אָשִׂ֤ים

H7760

I make

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

#22

נְהָרוֹת֙

H5104

the rivers

a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity

#23

מִדְבָּ֔ר

H4057

a wilderness

a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert

#24

תִּבְאַ֤שׁ

H887

stinketh

to smell bad; figuratively, to be offensive morally

#25

דְּגָתָם֙

H1710

their fish

fish

#26

מֵאֵ֣ין

H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

#27

מַ֔יִם

H4325

because there is no water

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

#28

וְתָמֹ֖ת

H4191

and dieth

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

#29

בַּצָּמָֽא׃

H6772

for thirst

thirst (literally or figuratively)

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

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 revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?

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