Isaiah 57:1

Authorized King James Version

The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
הַצַּדִּֽיק׃
The righteous
just
#2
אָבָ֔ד
H6
perisheth
properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)
#3
וְאֵ֥ין
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
#4
וְאַנְשֵׁי
and no man
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#5
שָׂ֣ם
layeth
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#6
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#7
לֵ֑ב
it to heart
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
#8
וְאַנְשֵׁי
and no man
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#9
חֶ֤סֶד
and merciful
kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
#10
נֶאֱסַ֥ף
are taken away
to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)
#11
בְּאֵ֣ין
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
#12
מֵבִ֔ין
none considering
to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e., (generally) understand
#13
כִּֽי
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#14
מִפְּנֵ֥י
from
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#15
הָרָעָ֖ה
the evil
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
#16
נֶאֱסַ֥ף
are taken away
to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)
#17
הַצַּדִּֽיק׃
The righteous
just

Analysis

Within the broader context of Isaiah, this passage highlights salvation through universal language and absolute statements. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by introducing key themes that will be developed throughout 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 revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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