Isaiah 7:1

Authorized King James Version

And it came to pass in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up toward Jerusalem to war against it, but could not prevail against it.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְהִ֡י
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
בִּימֵ֣י
And it came to pass in the days
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#3
אָ֠חָז
of Ahaz
achaz, the name of a jewish king and of an israelite
#4
בֶּן
the son
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#5
יוֹתָ֨ם
of Jotham
jotham, the name of three israelites
#6
בֶּן
the son
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#7
עֻזִּיָּ֜הוּ
of Uzziah
uzzijah, the name of five israelites
#8
מֶֽלֶךְ
king
a king
#9
יְהוּדָ֗ה
of Judah
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
#10
עָלָ֣ה
went up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#11
רְצִ֣ין
that Rezin
retsin, the name of a syrian and of an israelite
#12
מֶֽלֶךְ
king
a king
#13
אֲ֠רָם
of Syria
aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite
#14
וּפֶ֨קַח
and Pekah
pekach, an israelite king
#15
בֶּן
the son
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#16
רְמַלְיָ֤הוּ
of Remaliah
remaljah, an israelite
#17
מֶֽלֶךְ
king
a king
#18
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#19
יְר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם
toward Jerusalem
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
#20
לַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה
to war
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
#21
עָלֶ֑יהָ
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#22
וְלֹ֥א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#23
יָכֹ֖ל
against it but could
to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
#24
לְהִלָּחֵ֥ם
not prevail
to feed on; figuratively, to consume
#25
עָלֶֽיהָ׃
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

Analysis

Within the broader context of Isaiah, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by introducing key themes that will be developed throughout Isaiah.

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 revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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