Isaiah 52:9

Authorized King James Version

Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the LORD hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
פִּצְח֤וּ
Break forth into joy
to break out (in joyful sound)
#2
רַנְּנוּ֙
sing
properly, to creak (or emit a stridulous sound), i.e., to shout (usually for joy)
#3
יַחְדָּ֔ו
together
properly, a unit, i.e., (adverb) unitedly
#4
חָרְב֖וֹת
ye waste places
properly, drought, i.e., (by implication) a desolation
#5
יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם׃
Jerusalem
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
#6
כִּֽי
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#7
נִחַ֤ם
hath comforted
properly, to sigh, i.e., breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e., (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavo
#8
יְהוָה֙
for the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#9
עַמּ֔וֹ
his people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#10
גָּאַ֖ל
he hath redeemed
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
#11
יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם׃
Jerusalem
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

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

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