Isaiah 66:15

Authorized King James Version

For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
כִּֽי
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#2
הִנֵּ֤ה
lo!
#3
יְהוָה֙
For behold the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#4
אֵֽשׁ׃
of fire
fire (literally or figuratively)
#5
יָב֔וֹא
will come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#6
וְכַסּוּפָ֖ה
like a whirlwind
a hurricane
#7
מַרְכְּבֹתָ֑יו
and with his chariots
a chariot
#8
לְהָשִׁ֤יב
to render
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#9
בְּחֵמָה֙
with fury
heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)
#10
אַפּ֔וֹ
his anger
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
#11
וְגַעֲרָת֖וֹ
and his rebuke
a chiding
#12
בְּלַהֲבֵי
with flames
a flash; figuratively, a sharply polished blade or point of a weapon
#13
אֵֽשׁ׃
of fire
fire (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 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 divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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