Isaiah 50:9

Authorized King James Version

Behold, the Lord GOD will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
הֵ֣ן
lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if
#2
אֲדֹנָ֤י
Behold the Lord
the lord (used as a proper name of god only)
#3
יְהוִה֙
GOD
god
#4
יַֽעֲזָר
will help
to surround, i.e., protect or aid
#5
לִ֔י
H0
#6
מִי
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
#7
ה֖וּא
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
#8
יַרְשִׁיעֵ֑נִי
me who is he that shall condemn
to be (causatively, do or declare) wrong; by implication, to disturb, violate
#9
הֵ֤ן
lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if
#10
כֻּלָּם֙
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#11
כַּבֶּ֣גֶד
as a garment
a covering, i.e., clothing
#12
יִבְל֔וּ
me lo they all shall wax old
to fail; by implication to wear out, decay (causatively, consume, spend)
#13
עָ֖שׁ
the moth
a moth
#14
יֹאכְלֵֽם׃
shall eat them up
to eat (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 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 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

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

People