Isaiah 51:23

Authorized King James Version

But I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee; which have said to thy soul, Bow down, that we may go over: and thou hast laid thy body as the ground, and as the street, to them that went over.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַתָּשִׂ֤ימִי
But I will put
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#2
בְּיַד
it into the 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
#3
מוֹגַ֔יִךְ
of them that afflict
to grieve
#4
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#5
אָמְר֥וּ
thee which have said
to say (used with great latitude)
#6
לְנַפְשֵׁ֖ךְ
to thy soul
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
#7
שְׁחִ֣י
Bow down
to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)
#8
לַעֹבְרִֽים׃
that we may go over
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
#9
וַתָּשִׂ֤ימִי
But I will put
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#10
כָאָ֙רֶץ֙
as the ground
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#11
גֵּוֵ֔ךְ
thy body
the back; by analogy, the middle
#12
וְכַח֖וּץ
and as the street
properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors
#13
לַעֹבְרִֽים׃
that we may go over
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

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 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 revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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