Isaiah 6:12
And the LORD have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land.
Original Language Analysis
וְרִחַ֥ק
far away
H7368
וְרִחַ֥ק
far away
Strong's:
H7368
Word #:
1 of 8
to widen (in any direction), i.e., (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove (literally or figuratively, of place or relation)
יְהוָ֖ה
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 8
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 8
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָאָדָ֑ם
men
H120
הָאָדָ֑ם
men
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
4 of 8
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
וְרַבָּ֥ה
and there be a great
H7227
וְרַבָּ֥ה
and there be a great
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
5 of 8
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
Cross References
Jeremiah 4:29The whole city shall flee for the noise of the horsemen and bowmen; they shall go into thickets, and climb up upon the rocks: every city shall be forsaken, and not a man dwell therein.Deuteronomy 28:64And the LORD shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other; and there thou shalt serve other gods, which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, even wood and stone.
Historical Context
Babylonian exile saw massive deportation, leaving Judah sparsely populated. This 'sending far away' fulfilled prophetic warning while preserving a remnant for eventual restoration.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's 'sending away' function as both judgment and protective discipline?
- What comfort exists in knowing that even massive 'forsaking' doesn't nullify covenant promises?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The LORD's sending away of 'men far away' with resulting 'great forsaking in the midst of the land' describes exile's depopulation. This fulfills the prophetic commission (vv. 9-11) that Isaiah's ministry would harden many, resulting in judgment. The phrase 'great forsaking' (Hebrew 'azubah rabbah') depicts massive abandonment—both geographic exile and spiritual desolation. Yet this judgment isn't final; the remnant (v. 13) ensures covenant continuity.