Isaiah 53:4

Authorized King James Version

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אָכֵ֤ן
Surely
firmly; figuratively, surely; also (adversative) but
#2
חֳלָיֵ֙נוּ֙
our griefs
malady, anxiety, calamity
#3
ה֣וּא
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
נָשָׂ֔א
he hath borne
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
#5
וּמַכְאֹבֵ֖ינוּ
our sorrows
anguish or (figuratively) affliction
#6
סְבָלָ֑ם
and carried
to carry (literally or figuratively), or (reflexively) be burdensome; specifically, to be gravid
#7
וַאֲנַ֣חְנוּ
we
#8
חֲשַׁבְנֻ֔הוּ
yet we did esteem
properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e., (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a maliciou
#9
נָג֛וּעַ
him stricken
properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive
#10
מֻכֵּ֥ה
smitten
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
#11
אֱלֹהִ֖ים
of God
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
#12
וּמְעֻנֶּֽה׃
and afflicted
to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows)

Analysis

Within the broader context of Isaiah, this passage highlights salvation through declarative statements that establish theological truth. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Isaiah.

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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