Isaiah 63:6

Authorized King James Version

And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְאָב֤וּס
And I will tread down
to trample (literally or figuratively)
#2
עַמִּים֙
the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#3
בְּאַפִּ֔י
in mine anger
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
#4
וַאֲשַׁכְּרֵ֖ם
and make them drunk
to become tipsy; in a qualified sense, to satiate with a stimulating drink or (figuratively) influence
#5
בַּחֲמָתִ֑י
in my fury
heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)
#6
וְאוֹרִ֥יד
and I will bring down
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
#7
לָאָ֖רֶץ
to the earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#8
נִצְחָֽם׃
their strength
juice of the grape (as blood red)

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 covenant community 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 covenant community in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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