Isaiah 61:11

Authorized King James Version

For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
כִּ֤י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#2
כָאָ֙רֶץ֙
For as the earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#3
תּוֹצִ֣יא
bringeth forth
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#4
צִמְחָ֔הּ
her bud
a sprout (usually concrete), literal or figurative
#5
וּכְגַנָּ֖ה
and as the garden
a garden
#6
זֵרוּעֶ֣יהָ
causeth the things that are sown
something sown, i.e., a plant
#7
יַצְמִ֤יחַ
in it to spring forth
to sprout (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative)
#8
כֵּ֣ן׀
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
#9
אֲדֹנָ֣י
so the Lord
the lord (used as a proper name of god only)
#10
יְהוִ֗ה
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#11
יַצְמִ֤יחַ
in it to spring forth
to sprout (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative)
#12
צְדָקָה֙
will cause righteousness
rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)
#13
וּתְהִלָּ֔ה
and praise
laudation; specifically (concretely) a hymn
#14
נֶ֖גֶד
a front, i.e., part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with preposition) over against or before
#15
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#16
הַגּוֹיִֽם׃
before all the nations
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing righteousness contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

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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