Isaiah 54:1

Authorized King James Version

Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
רָנִּ֥י
Sing
properly, to creak (or emit a stridulous sound), i.e., to shout (usually for joy)
#2
עֲקָרָ֖ה
O barren
sterile (as if extirpated in the generative organs)
#3
לֹ֣א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#4
יָלָ֑דָה
thou that didst not bear
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
#5
פִּצְחִ֨י
break forth
to break out (in joyful sound)
#6
רִנָּ֤ה
into singing
properly, a creaking (or shrill sound), i.e., shout (of joy or grief)
#7
וְצַהֲלִי֙
and cry aloud
to gleam, i.e., (figuratively) be cheerful
#8
לֹא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#9
חָ֔לָה
thou that didst not travail with child
properly, to twist or whirl (in a circular or spiral manner), i.e., (specifically) to dance, to writhe in pain (especially of parturition) or fear; fi
#10
כִּֽי
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#11
רַבִּ֧ים
for more
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
#12
מִבְּנֵ֥י
are the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#13
שׁוֹמֵמָ֛ה
of the desolate
to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e., devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense)
#14
מִבְּנֵ֥י
are the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#15
בְעוּלָ֖ה
of the married wife
to be master; hence, to marry
#16
אָמַ֥ר
saith
to say (used with great latitude)
#17
יְהוָֽה׃
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

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 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 sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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