Isaiah 50:4

Authorized King James Version

The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אֲדֹנָ֣י
The Lord
the lord (used as a proper name of god only)
#2
יְהוִֹ֗ה
GOD
god
#3
נָ֤תַן
hath given
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#4
לִי֙
H0
#5
לְשׁ֣וֹן
me the tongue
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,
#6
כַּלִּמּוּדִֽים׃
as the learned
instructed
#7
לָדַ֛עַת
that I should know
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
#8
לָע֥וּת
how to speak
to hasten, i.e., succor
#9
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#10
יָעֵ֖ף
in season to him that is weary
fatigued; figuratively, exhausted
#11
דָּבָ֑ר
a word
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#12
יָעִ֥יר
he wakeneth
to wake (literally or figuratively)
#13
בַּבֹּ֗קֶר
by morning
properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
#14
בַּבֹּ֗קֶר
by morning
properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
#15
יָעִ֥יר
he wakeneth
to wake (literally or figuratively)
#16
לִי֙
H0
#17
אֹ֔זֶן
mine ear
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
#18
לִשְׁמֹ֖עַ
to hear
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#19
כַּלִּמּוּדִֽים׃
as the learned
instructed

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

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 sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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