Isaiah 58:10

Authorized King James Version

And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְתָפֵ֤ק
And if thou draw out
to issue, i.e., furnish; causatively, to secure; figuratively, to succeed
#2
לָֽרָעֵב֙
to the hungry
hungry (more or less intensely)
#3
וְנֶ֥פֶשׁ
soul
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
#4
וְנֶ֥פֶשׁ
soul
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
#5
נַעֲנָ֖ה
the afflicted
to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows)
#6
תַּשְׂבִּ֑יעַ
and satisfy
to sate, i.e., fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively)
#7
וְזָרַ֤ח
rise
properly, to irradiate (or shoot forth beams), i.e., to rise (as the sun); specifically, to appear (as a symptom of leprosy)
#8
בַּחֹ֙שֶׁךְ֙
in obscurity
the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness
#9
אוֹרֶ֔ךָ
then shall thy light
illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)
#10
וַאֲפֵלָתְךָ֖
and thy darkness
duskiness, figuratively, misfortune; concrete, concealment
#11
כַּֽצָּהֳרָֽיִם׃
be as the noonday
a light (i.e., window); dual double light, i.e., noon

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Isaiah. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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