Isaiah 59:21

Authorized King James Version

As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַאֲנִ֗י
i
#2
זֹ֣את
this (often used adverb)
#3
בְּרִיתִ֤י
As for me this is my covenant
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
#4
אוֹתָם֙
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
#5
אָמַ֣ר
saith
to say (used with great latitude)
#6
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#7
רוּחִי֙
My spirit
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
#8
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#9
עָלֶ֔יךָ
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#10
וּדְבָרַ֖י
that is upon thee and my words
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#11
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#12
שַׂ֣מְתִּי
which I have put
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#13
וּמִפִּ֨י
in thy mouth
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
#14
לֹֽא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#15
יָמ֡וּשׁוּ
shall not depart
to withdraw (both literally and figuratively, whether intransitive or transitive)
#16
וּמִפִּ֨י
in thy mouth
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
#17
וּמִפִּ֨י
in thy mouth
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
#18
זַרְעֲךָ֙
of thy seed
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
#19
וּמִפִּ֨י
in thy mouth
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
#20
זַרְעֲךָ֙
of thy seed
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
#21
זַרְעֲךָ֙
of thy seed
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
#22
אָמַ֣ר
saith
to say (used with great latitude)
#23
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#24
מֵעַתָּ֖ה
at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive
#25
וְעַד
from henceforth and for
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#26
עוֹלָֽם׃
ever
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

Analysis

This verse develops the covenant theme central to Isaiah. The concept of covenant reflects the development of covenant 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 covenant 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 covenant in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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