Isaiah 60:21

Authorized King James Version

Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְעַמֵּךְ֙
Thy people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#2
כֻּלָּ֣ם
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#3
צַדִּיקִ֔ים
also shall be all righteous
just
#4
לְעוֹלָ֖ם
for ever
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
#5
יִ֣ירְשׁוּ
they shall inherit
to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish
#6
אָ֑רֶץ
the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#7
נֵ֧צֶר
the branch
a shoot; figuratively, a descendant
#8
מַטָּעַ֛ו
of my planting
something planted, i.e., the place (a garden or vineyard), or the thing (a plant, figuratively or men); by implication, the act, planting
#9
מַעֲשֵׂ֥ה
the work
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
#10
יָדַ֖י
of my hands
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
#11
לְהִתְפָּאֵֽר׃
that I may be glorified
to gleam, i.e., (causatively) embellish; figuratively, to boast; also to explain (i.e., make clear) oneself; to shake a tree

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

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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