Isaiah 58:8

Authorized King James Version

Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אָ֣ז
at that time or place; also as a conjunction, therefore
#2
יִבָּקַ֤ע
break forth
to cleave; generally, to rend, break, rip or open
#3
כַּשַּׁ֙חַר֙
as the morning
dawn (literal, figurative or adverbial)
#4
אוֹרֶ֔ךָ
Then shall thy light
illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)
#5
וַאֲרֻכָתְךָ֖
and thine health
wholeness (literally or figuratively)
#6
מְהֵרָ֣ה
speedily
properly, a hurry; hence (adverbially) promptly
#7
תִצְמָ֑ח
shall spring forth
to sprout (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative)
#8
וְהָלַ֤ךְ
shall go
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#9
לְפָנֶ֙יךָ֙
before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#10
צִדְקֶ֔ךָ
and thy righteousness
the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity
#11
כְּב֥וֹד
thee the glory
properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness
#12
יְהוָ֖ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#13
יַאַסְפֶֽךָ׃
shall be thy rereward
to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Isaiah. The concept of righteousness reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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 righteousness in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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