Isaiah 6:10

Authorized King James Version

Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
הַשְׁמֵן֙
fat
to shine, i.e., (by analogy) be (causatively, make) oily or gross
#2
לֵב
Make the heart
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
#3
הָעָ֣ם
of this people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#4
הַזֶּ֔ה
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#5
וּבְאָזְנָ֣יו
and make their ears
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
#6
הַכְבֵּ֖ד
heavy
to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same
#7
בְעֵינָ֜יו
their eyes
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
#8
הָשַׁ֑ע
and shut
(in a good acceptation) to look upon (with complacency), i.e., fondle, please or amuse (self); (in a bad one) to look about (in dismay), i.e., stare
#9
פֶּן
properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest
#10
יִרְאֶ֨ה
lest they see
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#11
בְעֵינָ֜יו
their eyes
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
#12
וּבְאָזְנָ֣יו
and make their ears
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
#13
יִשְׁמָ֗ע
and hear
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#14
וּלְבָב֥וֹ
with their heart
the heart (as the most interior organ)
#15
יָבִ֛ין
and understand
to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e., (generally) understand
#16
וָשָׁ֖ב
and convert
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#17
וְרָ֥פָא
and be healed
properly, to mend (by stitching), i.e., (figuratively) to cure
#18
לֽוֹ׃
H0

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Isaiah. The concept of covenant community 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

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

Questions for Reflection

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