Isaiah 65:7

Authorized King James Version

Your iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together, saith the LORD, which have burned incense upon the mountains, and blasphemed me upon the hills: therefore will I measure their former work into their bosom.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַעֲוֺנֹ֨ת
Your iniquities
perversity, i.e., (moral) evil
#2
וַעֲוֺנֹ֨ת
Your iniquities
perversity, i.e., (moral) evil
#3
אֲבוֹתֵיכֶ֤ם
H1
of your fathers
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#4
יַחְדָּו֙
together
properly, a unit, i.e., (adverb) unitedly
#5
אָמַ֣ר
saith
to say (used with great latitude)
#6
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#7
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#8
קִטְּרוּ֙
which have burned incense
to smoke, i.e., turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)
#9
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#10
הֶ֣הָרִ֔ים
upon the mountains
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
#11
וְעַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#12
הַגְּבָע֖וֹת
me upon the hills
a hillock
#13
חֵרְפ֑וּנִי
and blasphemed
to pull off, i.e., (by implication) to expose (as by stripping); specifically, to betroth (as if a surrender); figuratively, to carp at, i.e., defame;
#14
וּמַדֹּתִ֧י
therefore will I measure
properly, to stretch; by implication, to measure (as if by stretching a line); figuratively, to be extended
#15
פְעֻלָּתָ֛ם
work
(abstractly) work
#16
רִֽאשֹׁנָ֖ה
their former
first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
#17
עֶל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#18
חֵיקָֽם׃
into their bosom
the bosom (literally or figuratively)

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 divine sovereignty 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 historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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