Isaiah 7:4

Authorized King James Version

And say unto him, Take heed, and be quiet; fear not, neither be fainthearted for the two tails of these smoking firebrands, for the fierce anger of Rezin with Syria, and of the son of Remaliah.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְאָמַרְתָּ֣
And say
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
אֵ֠לָיו
near, with or among; often in general, to
#3
הִשָּׁמֵ֨ר
unto him Take heed
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
#4
וְהַשְׁקֵ֜ט
and be quiet
to repose (usually figurative)
#5
אַל
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
#6
תִּירָ֗א
fear
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
#7
וּלְבָבְךָ֙
the heart (as the most interior organ)
#8
אַל
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
#9
יֵרַ֔ךְ
not neither be fainthearted
to soften (intransitively or transitively), used figuratively
#10
מִשְּׁנֵ֨י
for the two
two; also (as ordinal) twofold
#11
זַנְב֧וֹת
tails
the tail (literally or figuratively)
#12
הָאוּדִ֛ים
firebrands
a poker (for turning or gathering embers)
#13
הָעֲשֵׁנִ֖ים
of these smoking
smoky
#14
הָאֵ֑לֶּה
these or those
#15
בָּחֳרִי
for the fierce
a burning (i.e., intense) anger
#16
אַ֛ף
anger
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
#17
רְצִ֥ין
of Rezin
retsin, the name of a syrian and of an israelite
#18
וַאֲרָ֖ם
with Syria
aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite
#19
וּבֶן
and of 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
#20
רְמַלְיָֽהוּ׃
of Remaliah
remaljah, an israelite

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Isaiah. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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 revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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