Isaiah 56:3

Authorized King James Version

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Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.

Original Language Analysis

וְאַל H408
וְאַל
Strong's: H408
Word #: 1 of 20
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
יֹאמַר֙ say H559
יֹאמַר֙ say
Strong's: H559
Word #: 2 of 20
to say (used with great latitude)
בֶּן Neither let the son H1121
בֶּן Neither let the son
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 3 of 20
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
הַנֵּכָ֗ר of the stranger H5236
הַנֵּכָ֗ר of the stranger
Strong's: H5236
Word #: 4 of 20
foreign, or (concretely) a foreigner, or (abstractly) heathendom
הַנִּלְוָ֤ה that hath joined H3867
הַנִּלְוָ֤ה that hath joined
Strong's: H3867
Word #: 5 of 20
properly, to twine; also to borrow (as a form of obligation) or (causative) to lend
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 6 of 20
near, with or among; often in general, to
יְהוָ֖ה The LORD H3068
יְהוָ֖ה The LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 7 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
יֹאמַר֙ say H559
יֹאמַר֙ say
Strong's: H559
Word #: 8 of 20
to say (used with great latitude)
יַבְדִּילַ֛נִי hath utterly H914
יַבְדִּילַ֛נִי hath utterly
Strong's: H914
Word #: 9 of 20
to divide (in variation senses literally or figuratively, separate, distinguish, differ, select, etc.)
יַבְדִּילַ֛נִי hath utterly H914
יַבְדִּילַ֛נִי hath utterly
Strong's: H914
Word #: 10 of 20
to divide (in variation senses literally or figuratively, separate, distinguish, differ, select, etc.)
יְהוָ֖ה The LORD H3068
יְהוָ֖ה The LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 11 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
מֵעַ֣ל H5921
מֵעַ֣ל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 12 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
עַמּ֑וֹ me from his people H5971
עַמּ֑וֹ me from his people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 13 of 20
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וְאַל H408
וְאַל
Strong's: H408
Word #: 14 of 20
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
יֹאמַר֙ say H559
יֹאמַר֙ say
Strong's: H559
Word #: 15 of 20
to say (used with great latitude)
הַסָּרִ֔יס neither let the eunuch H5631
הַסָּרִ֔יס neither let the eunuch
Strong's: H5631
Word #: 16 of 20
a eunuch; by implication, valet (especially of the female apartments), and thus, a minister of state
הֵ֥ן H2005
הֵ֥ן
Strong's: H2005
Word #: 17 of 20
lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if
אֲנִ֖י H589
אֲנִ֖י
Strong's: H589
Word #: 18 of 20
i
עֵ֥ץ tree H6086
עֵ֥ץ tree
Strong's: H6086
Word #: 19 of 20
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
יָבֵֽשׁ׃ Behold I am a dry H3002
יָבֵֽשׁ׃ Behold I am a dry
Strong's: H3002
Word #: 20 of 20
dry

Cross References

1 Corinthians 6:17But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.Isaiah 39:7And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.Isaiah 14:1For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob.Isaiah 56:5Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.Acts 17:4And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.Acts 10:34Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:Jeremiah 50:5They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward, saying, Come, and let us join ourselves to the LORD in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten.Ephesians 2:22In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.Romans 15:16That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.Numbers 18:4And they shall be joined unto thee, and keep the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation, for all the service of the tabernacle: and a stranger shall not come nigh unto you.

Analysis & Commentary

God addresses two marginalized groups: 'the son of the stranger' (foreigner joined to Israel) and 'the eunuch' (castrated male excluded from assembly per Deuteronomy 23:1). Both feared exclusion: 'The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people' or 'I am a dry tree' (unable to have descendants). Grace overcomes these barriers.

Historical Context

Eunuchs often served in royal courts (see Ethiopian eunuch, Acts 8). Foreigners wondered if they could truly belong. Isaiah's message radically includes those Mosaic law seemed to exclude.

Questions for Reflection

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