Isaiah 57:8

Authorized King James Version

Behind the doors also and the posts hast thou set up thy remembrance: for thou hast discovered thyself to another than me, and art gone up; thou hast enlarged thy bed, and made thee a covenant with them; thou lovedst their bed where thou sawest it.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְאַחַ֤ר
Behind
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
#2
הַדֶּ֙לֶת֙
the doors
something swinging, i.e., the valve of a door
#3
וְהַמְּזוּזָ֔ה
also and the posts
a door-post (as prominent)
#4
שַׂ֖מְתְּ
hast thou set up
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#5
זִכְרוֹנֵ֑ךְ
thy remembrance
a memento (or memorable thing, day or writing)
#6
כִּ֣י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#7
מֵאִתִּ֞י
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#8
גִּלִּ֣ית
for thou hast discovered
to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal
#9
וַֽתַּעֲלִ֗י
thyself to another than me and art gone up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#10
הִרְחַ֤בְתְּ
thou hast enlarged
to broaden (intransitive or transitive, literal or figurative)
#11
מִשְׁכָּבָ֖ם
their bed
a bed (figuratively, a bier); abstractly, sleep; by euphemism, carnal intercourse
#12
וַתִּכְרָת
and made
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
#13
לָ֣ךְ
H0
#14
מֵהֶ֔ם
they (only used when emphatic)
#15
אָהַ֥בְתְּ
thee a covenant with them thou lovedst
to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)
#16
מִשְׁכָּבָ֖ם
their bed
a bed (figuratively, a bier); abstractly, sleep; by euphemism, carnal intercourse
#17
יָ֥ד
where
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
#18
חָזִֽית׃
thou sawest
to gaze at; mentally to perceive, contemplate (with pleasure); specifically, to have a vision of

Analysis

The covenant theme here intersects with God's relationship with His people from Abraham through the new covenant. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of evolution from creation covenant through Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, to new covenant. The phrase emphasizing love fundamental to theology proper, revealing God's essential nature and character and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's relational commitment from Noah to the new covenant.

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

Questions for Reflection

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