Isaiah 7:18

Authorized King James Version

And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall hiss for the fly that is in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְהָיָ֣ה׀

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בַּיּ֣וֹם

H3117

And it shall come to pass in that day

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

הַה֗וּא

H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

יִשְׁרֹ֤ק

H8319

shall hiss

properly, to be shrill, i.e., to whistle or hiss (as a call or in scorn)

יְהוָה֙

H3068

that the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לַזְּב֔וּב

H2070

for the fly

a fly (especially one of a stinging nature)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בִּקְצֵ֖ה

H7097

that is in the uttermost part

an extremity

יְאֹרֵ֣י

H2975

of the rivers

a channel, e.g., a fosse, canal, shaft; specifically the nile, as the one river of egypt, including its collateral trenches; also the tigris, as the m

#10

מִצְרָ֑יִם

H4714

of Egypt

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

#11

וְלַ֨דְּבוֹרָ֔ה

H1682

and for the bee

the bee (from its systematic instincts)

#12

אֲשֶׁ֖ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#13

בְּאֶ֥רֶץ

H776

that is in the land

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

#14

אַשּֽׁוּר׃

H804

of Assyria

ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Isaiah. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?

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