Isaiah 51:10

Authorized King James Version

Art thou not it which hath dried the sea, the waters of the great deep; that hath made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
הֲל֤וֹא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#2
אַתְּ
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#3
הִיא֙
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
#4
הַמַּחֲרֶ֣בֶת
Art thou not it which hath dried
to parch (through drought) i.e., (by analogy,) to desolate, destroy, kill
#5
יָ֔ם
of 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
#6
מֵ֖י
the waters
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
#7
תְּה֣וֹם
deep
an abyss (as a surging mass of water), especially the deep (the main sea or the subterranean watersupply)
#8
רַבָּ֑ה
of the great
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
#9
הַשָּׂ֙מָה֙
that hath made
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#10
מַֽעֲמַקֵּי
the depths
a deep
#11
יָ֔ם
of 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
#12
דֶּ֖רֶךְ
a way
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
#13
לַעֲבֹ֥ר
to pass over
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
#14
גְּאוּלִֽים׃
for the ransomed
to redeem (according to the middle eastern law of kinship), i.e., to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry his wido

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Isaiah. The concept of divine revelation 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

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

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