Isaiah 7:23

Authorized King James Version

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And it shall come to pass in that day, that every place shall be, where there were a thousand vines at a thousand silverlings, it shall even be for briers and thorns.

Original Language Analysis

וְהָיָה֙ H1961
וְהָיָה֙
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 1 of 16
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בַּיּ֣וֹם And it shall come to pass in that day H3117
בַּיּ֣וֹם And it shall come to pass in that day
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 2 of 16
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
הַה֔וּא H1931
הַה֔וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 3 of 16
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
יִֽהְיֶ֣ה H1961
יִֽהְיֶ֣ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 4 of 16
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כָל H3605
כָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 5 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מָק֗וֹם that every place H4725
מָק֗וֹם that every place
Strong's: H4725
Word #: 6 of 16
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
אֲשֶׁ֧ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 7 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִֽהְיֶה H1961
יִֽהְיֶה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 8 of 16
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
שָּׁ֛ם H8033
שָּׁ֛ם
Strong's: H8033
Word #: 9 of 16
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
בְּאֶ֣לֶף at a thousand H505
בְּאֶ֣לֶף at a thousand
Strong's: H505
Word #: 10 of 16
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
גֶּ֖פֶן vines H1612
גֶּ֖פֶן vines
Strong's: H1612
Word #: 11 of 16
a vine (as twining), especially the grape
בְּאֶ֣לֶף at a thousand H505
בְּאֶ֣לֶף at a thousand
Strong's: H505
Word #: 12 of 16
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
כָּ֑סֶף silverlings H3701
כָּ֑סֶף silverlings
Strong's: H3701
Word #: 13 of 16
silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
לַשָּׁמִ֥יר it shall even be for briers H8068
לַשָּׁמִ֥יר it shall even be for briers
Strong's: H8068
Word #: 14 of 16
a thorn; also (from its keenness for scratching) a gem, probably the diamond
וְלַשַּׁ֖יִת and thorns H7898
וְלַשַּׁ֖יִת and thorns
Strong's: H7898
Word #: 15 of 16
scrub or trash, i.e., wild growth of weeds or briers (as if put on the field)
יִֽהְיֶֽה׃ H1961
יִֽהְיֶֽה׃
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 16 of 16
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

Analysis & Commentary

The transformation of vineyards into brier-filled wasteland demonstrates the economic and agricultural devastation of divine judgment. In ancient Israel, vineyards represented prosperity and careful cultivation (cf. Isaiah 5:1-7). The valuation 'a thousand vines at a thousand silverlings' indicates premium vineyard land. The thorns and briers symbolize the curse of Genesis 3:18, a return to chaos when God withdraws His blessing. This serves as a sobering reminder that material prosperity without covenant faithfulness is temporary.

Historical Context

Vineyards were among the most valuable agricultural assets in ancient Judah, requiring years of investment and maintenance. A thousand silverlings (shekels) would represent substantial wealth. The Assyrian devastation of 701 BC saw systematic destruction of Judah's agricultural infrastructure, fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy with precision. Sennacherib's annals boast of destroying vineyards and cutting down fruit trees throughout Judah.

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