Isaiah 61:6

Authorized King James Version

But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְאַתֶּ֗ם
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#2
כֹּהֲנֵ֤י
the Priests
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
#3
יְהוָה֙
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#4
תִּקָּרֵ֔אוּ
But ye shall be named
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
#5
מְשָׁרְתֵ֣י
you the Ministers
to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to
#6
אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ
of our God
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
#7
יֵאָמֵ֖ר
men shall call
to say (used with great latitude)
#8
לָכֶ֑ם
H0
#9
חֵ֤יל
the riches
probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength
#10
גּוֹיִם֙
of the Gentiles
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
#11
תֹּאכֵ֔לוּ
ye shall eat
to eat (literally or figuratively)
#12
וּבִכְבוֹדָ֖ם
and in their glory
properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness
#13
תִּתְיַמָּֽרוּ׃
shall ye boast
to exchange; by implication, to change places

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 glory 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 glory in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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