Comfort for Zion: Remember Abraham; God's Salvation
Isaiah 51:1-16
Isa.51.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- שמעו: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,pl
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- רדפי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- צדק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מבקשי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- הביטו: VERB,qal,imp,2,pl
- אל: NEG
- צור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חצבתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- מקבת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- בור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נקרתם: VERB,niphal,perf,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 32:18 (verbal): Both texts use the motif of the 'Rock' as a progenitor—'the Rock who begot you'—echoing Isaiah's 'look to the rock from which you were hewn.'
- Isaiah 51:2 (structural): Immediate parallel in the same oracle: the imperative 'look' is continued, here directing attention to the patriarchs (Abraham/Sarah), reinforcing the call to remember origins and God’s faithfulness.
- Psalm 18:2 (verbal): Shares the central image of God as 'rock' (the LORD is my rock), aligning the metaphor of God as a secure foundation with Isaiah's call to look to the rock.
- Matthew 5:6 (thematic): Jesus' beatitude 'Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness' parallels Isaiah's address to 'seekers of the LORD' and 'pursuers of righteousness,' connecting the ethical/spiritual pursuit motif.
- 1 Peter 2:4-5 (allusion): The NT summons believers to come to the 'living Stone' and to be built as a spiritual house—an echo of the rock/stone imagery and the summons to approach the divine source found in Isaiah 51:1.
Alternative generated candidates
- Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness, you who seek the LORD: look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug.
- Hear me, you who pursue righteousness, you who seek the LORD: look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug.
Isa.51.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- הביטו: VERB,qal,imp,2,pl
- אל: NEG
- אברהם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אביכם: NOUN,m,sg,abs,2,mp
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- שרה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- תחוללכם: VERB,qal,ptc,3,f,sg,suff,2,m,pl
- כי: CONJ
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
- קראתיו: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- ואברכהו: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- וארבהו: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg,obj,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Genesis 17:5-6 (verbal): God renames Abram as Abraham and promises to make him fruitful and many—echoing Isaiah's language of calling, blessing, and increasing him.
- Genesis 12:2-3 (thematic): The initial promise that Abraham will become a great nation and be blessed, which underlies Isaiah's appeal to Abraham and Sarah as the source of God's covenant blessing.
- Romans 4:16-18 (allusion): Paul cites the Abrahamic promise and the example of being 'called' and credited by faith, invoking the patrimonial call and the hope granted to Abraham and Sarah.
- Hebrews 11:11-12 (allusion): The writer highlights Sarah's faith leading to offspring and the numerous descendants of Abraham—paralleling Isaiah's reference to Sarah bearing and God increasing Abraham.
- Galatians 3:7-9 (thematic): Paul links blessing to those of faith as 'children of Abraham,' reflecting Isaiah's invocation of Abraham/Sarah as the origin of God's blessing for the community.
Alternative generated candidates
- Look to Abraham your father and to Sarah who bore you; for I called him when he was one and I blessed him and made him many.
- Look to Abraham your father and to Sarah who bore you; for I called him alone, and I blessed him and made him many.
Isa.51.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- נחם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ציון: NOUN,prop,f,sg,abs
- נחם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- כל: DET
- חרבתיה: NOUN,f,pl,abs+3fs
- וישם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מדברה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כעדן: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וערבתה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs+3fs
- כגן: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ששון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ושמחה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ימצא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- תודה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וקול: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- זמרה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 35:1-2 (verbal): Uses the same wilderness/desert imagery — the wilderness will be glad and blossom, paralleling Isaiah 51:3's promise to make the desert like Eden and bring joy.
- Ezekiel 36:35 (verbal): Direct verbal parallel: Ezekiel speaks of the desolate land becoming 'like the garden of Eden,' echoing Isaiah's phrase about making the wilderness like Eden.
- Psalm 126:1-2 (thematic): Both passages portray Zion's restoration as producing exuberant joy, singing, and thanksgiving when the Lord restores the fortunes of Zion.
- Isaiah 61:3 (thematic): Promises of comfort, replacing mourning with joy and praise mirror Isaiah 51:3's theme of divine consolation and the emergence of thanksgiving and song.
- Genesis 2:8-10 (allusion): Edenic imagery in Isaiah 51:3 alludes to the original Garden of Eden (a watered, fruitful paradise) as the model for the renewed, fertile land God will give Zion.
Alternative generated candidates
- For the LORD will comfort Zion; he will comfort all her ruins and make her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness will be found there, thanksgiving and the sound of singing.
- For the LORD will comfort Zion; he will comfort all her waste places and make her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness will be found there, thanksgiving and the sound of song.
Isa.51.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- הקשיבו: VERB,hiphil,imp,2,m,pl
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- עמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1s
- ולאומי: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,poss
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- האזינו: VERB,hiph,imp,2,m,pl
- כי: CONJ
- תורה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מאתי: PREP,1,sg
- תצא: VERB,qal,impf,2,ms
- ומשפטי: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,sg
- לאור: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עמים: NOUN,pl,m,abs
- ארגיע: VERB,hiphil,impf,1,_,sg
Parallels
- Isaiah 2:2-4 (verbal): Both passages speak of God's instruction/judgment issuing forth to the nations—'out of Zion shall go forth the law'—linking divine torah/justice as the basis for ordering the peoples.
- Micah 4:2 (verbal): Parallels Isaiah 2:3 verbatim: law and the word of the Lord proceeding from Zion/Jerusalem to instruct the nations, echoing Isaiah 51:4's 'law/justice' sent forth for the peoples.
- Isaiah 42:1,6 (thematic): The Servant songs promise that God’s chosen agent will establish justice and be 'a light to the nations,' closely matching Isaiah 51:4’s theme of God's justice serving as a light for the peoples.
- Isaiah 49:6 (thematic): God's purpose that the servant or Israel serve as a light to the nations ('I will make you a light for the nations') echoes Isaiah 51:4’s claim that God's justice will shine to the peoples.
- Deuteronomy 4:6 (structural): Deuteronomy frames Israel's statutes as wisdom before the nations—law given by God to Israel as a testimony to the peoples—paralleling Isaiah 51:4’s motif of Torah/justice proceeding from God to the nations.
Alternative generated candidates
- Hear me, my people, and give ear, my nation; for a teaching will go forth from me, and my justice I will make a light to the nations.
- Give ear to me, my people, and listen to me, my nation; for a law will go out from me, and my justice I will set as a light to the nations.
Isa.51.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- קרוב: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- צדקי: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- יצא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ישעי: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וזרעי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עמים: NOUN,pl,m,abs
- ישפטו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- איים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- יקוו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- זרעי: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- ייחלון: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Isaiah 46:13 (verbal): Both verses use the language of God bringing near his righteousness and salvation (similar phrasing about ‘my righteousness/ salvation’ coming near), emphasizing imminent deliverance.
- Isaiah 49:1 (thematic): Both call or address distant lands/peoples ('islands' or coastlands); the motif of far nations listening and awaiting God's word or salvation is shared.
- Isaiah 52:10 (verbal): Isaiah 52:10 speaks of God baring his holy arm and the ends of the earth seeing his salvation; this echoes 51:5’s reference to God’s arm and the coastlands/islands hoping for him.
- Isaiah 59:16-17 (thematic): Both passages portray God’s own arm acting to bring salvation and execute justice—righteousness and God’s arm move decisively to judge and save, a common theme with 51:5.
Alternative generated candidates
- My righteousness is near, my salvation goes forth, and my arm will judge the peoples; the coastlands will wait for me, and for my arm they will hope.
- My righteousness is near; my salvation has gone forth, and my arm will bring justice to the peoples. The coastlands will wait for me, and for my arm they will hope.
Isa.51.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- שאו: VERB,qal,imp,2,pl
- לשמים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- עיניכם: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- והביטו: CONJ+VERB,hiphil,imp,2,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- מתחת: PREP
- כי: CONJ
- שמים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- כעשן: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נמלחו: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,pl
- והארץ: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כבגד: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תבלה: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- וישביה: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs+3fs
- כמו: PREP
- כן: ADV
- ימותון: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- וישועתי: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,suff
- לעולם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תהיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,f,sg
- וצדקתי: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,suff
- לא: PART_NEG
- תחת: PREP
Parallels
- Psalm 102:25-27 (verbal): Uses almost identical cosmic imagery (heavens as a garment/like smoke that will perish) and the contrast between transitory creation and God's enduring nature.
- Hebrews 1:10-12 (quotation): Directly quotes Psalm 102's language about the heavens being changed/rolled up and applies the contrast with the One who remains; echoes Isaiah's theme of cosmic change vs divine permanence.
- Isaiah 34:4 (allusion): Employs similar apocalyptic/cosmic dissolution language (hosts of heaven dissolved, heavens rolled up), reflecting a shared prophetic motif of universal upheaval.
- Matthew 24:35 (thematic): Jesus' saying that heaven and earth will pass away but his words will not parallels Isaiah's contrast between the fleeting heavens and the enduring salvation/righteousness of God.
- 2 Peter 3:10-13 (thematic): Describes the heavens passing away and the coming of a new heaven and earth, echoing the motif of cosmic transience set against God's final, lasting purposes.
Alternative generated candidates
- Lift up your eyes to the heavens and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens will vanish like smoke, and the earth will wear out like a garment; its inhabitants will die in like manner—my salvation will be forever, my righteousness shall never be abolished.
- Lift up your eyes to the heavens and look to the earth beneath; for the heavens will vanish like smoke and the earth will wear out like a garment, and its inhabitants will die in like manner. But my salvation will be forever, and my righteousness will not be removed.
Isa.51.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- שמעו: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,pl
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- ידעי: ADJ,ptcp,qal,m,pl,abs
- צדק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עם: PREP
- תורתי: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,1,sg
- בלבם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,pl
- אל: NEG
- תיראו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- חרפת: NOUN,f,sg,const
- אנוש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ומגדפתם: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,mp
- אל: NEG
- תחתו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Jeremiah 31:33 (allusion): Both speak of God's law being within the faithful ('I will put my law in their inward parts' vs. 'my law in their heart'), linking Isaiah's description of those who 'know righteousness' with the later promise of an inward, written law.
- Proverbs 29:25 (thematic): Shares the admonition against fearing human opinion ('The fear of man bringeth a snare'), paralleling Isaiah's 'fear not the reproach of men' and urging trust in God rather than fear of reproach.
- Matthew 10:28 (thematic): Jesus' exhortation 'Fear not them which kill the body... fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body' echoes Isaiah's call not to be afraid of men's reviling, especially in the context of faithful witness.
- Psalm 119:46 (verbal): Psalmist declares 'I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed,' resonating with Isaiah's refusal to fear human reproach because God's law is cherished in the heart.
Alternative generated candidates
- Hear me, you who know righteousness, the people who have my teaching in their heart: do not fear the reproach of men, and do not be dismayed at their insults;
- Hear me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law: do not fear the reproach of men, nor be dismayed at their reviling.
Isa.51.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- כבגד: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יאכלם: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg+3mp
- עש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכצמר: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יאכלם: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg+3mp
- סס: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וצדקתי: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss:1,sg
- לעולם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תהיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,f,sg
- וישועתי: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss:1,sg
- לדור: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דורים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Matthew 6:19 (verbal): Uses the image of moths/rust consuming earthly possessions to contrast the transience of created things with what endures—parallels Isaiah's 'moth shall eat them up... but my righteousness shall be for ever.'
- Luke 12:33 (verbal): Echoes the 'moth destroys' motif while urging investment in imperishable heavenly treasure, reflecting the same contrast between perishable things and lasting divine reality found in Isaiah 51:8.
- Isaiah 51:6 (structural): Same chapter/theme: contrasts the passing of heavens/earth and mortal things with the enduring salvation and righteousness of the Lord—Isaiah 51 frames mortality vs. God's permanence across these verses.
- Psalm 102:25-27 (thematic): Speaks of the heavens and earth perishing while God remains unchanged—a wider biblical theme of creation's transience versus God's everlasting nature that Isaiah 51:8 also asserts regarding God's righteousness and salvation.
- 1 Peter 1:25 (quotation): Quotes Isaiah 40:8 ('the word of the Lord endures for ever') to make the point that divine word/works endure while created things perish—parallels Isaiah 51:8's contrast of perishable things and God's eternal salvation/righteousness.
Alternative generated candidates
- for the moth will eat them like a garment, and the worm will devour them like wool—but my righteousness will be forever, and my salvation from generation to generation.
- For moth will consume them like a garment, and worm will eat them like wool; but my righteousness will be forever, and my salvation from generation to generation.
Isa.51.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- עורי: VERB,qal,imp,2,f,sg
- עורי: VERB,qal,imp,2,f,sg
- לבשי: VERB,qal,imp,2,f,sg
- עז: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- זרוע: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- עורי: VERB,qal,imp,2,f,sg
- כימי: NOUN,m,pl,cs+sim
- קדם: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- דרות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- עולמים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- הלוא: PART
- את: PRT,acc
- היא: PRON,dem,3,f,sg
- המחצבת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- רהב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מחוללת: VERB,qal,part,-,f,sg,abs
- תנין: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 15:1-12 (allusion): Isaiah's call to 'awake... as in the ancient days' and the image of God's triumph over a chaotic foe echoes the Song at the Sea, celebrating God's victory over Egypt and the waters.
- Job 26:12-13 (verbal): Job speaks of God 'stilling the sea' and striking Rahab/the fleeing serpent—language very close to Isaiah's 'cut Rahab' and 'wounded the dragon'.
- Psalm 74:13-14 (thematic): The psalmist portrays God dividing the sea and crushing Leviathan's heads, using the same mythic chaoskampf imagery Isaiah invokes in speaking of Rahab/dragon.
- Psalm 89:9-11 (verbal): Speaks of God subduing the sea and crushing Rahab with his mighty arm, paralleling Isaiah's appeal to the LORD's arm that once defeated Rahab/the dragon.
Alternative generated candidates
- Awake, awake, clothe yourself with strength, O arm of the LORD; awake as in the days of old— the generations of long ago. Are you not the one who cut Rahab in pieces, who pierced the dragon?
- Awake, awake; put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake as in the days of old, the generations of long ago. Are you not the one who cut Rahab in pieces, who pierced the dragon?
Isa.51.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- הלוא: PART
- את: PRT,acc
- היא: PRON,dem,3,f,sg
- המחרבת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ים: NOUN,m,sg,cs
- מי: PRON,interr,sg
- תהום: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- רבה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- השמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- מעמקי: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ים: NOUN,m,sg,cs
- דרך: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לעבר: INF,qal
- גאולים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 14:21-22 (allusion): Alludes to the parting of the Red Sea, where God divided the waters to provide a dry path for Israel — the historical event Isaiah invokes.
- Isaiah 43:16 (verbal): Uses closely related language ('I make a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters'), repeating the prophetic motif of God creating a passage through the sea for the redeemed.
- Psalm 77:16-19 (verbal): Poetic retelling of the Exodus that speaks of making a road in the sea and leading his people through the deep, paralleling Isaiah's wording and imagery.
- Psalm 114:3-6 (thematic): Describes the sea's fearful reaction and the miraculous crossing (sea fled, Jordan turned back), thematically echoing the deliverance-at-the-sea motif in Isaiah 51:10.
- Psalm 78:13 (verbal): Speaks of God dividing the sea and causing the people to pass through, directly echoing the image of turning deep waters into a way for the redeemed.
Alternative generated candidates
- Is it not you who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep, who made a road through the depths of the sea for the redeemed to pass through?
- Is this not the one who divided the sea, making a way through the roaring waters, who made the depths of the sea a road for the redeemed to pass over?
Isa.51.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ופדויי: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ישובון: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,pl
- ובאו: VERB,qal,imp,2,mp
- ציון: NOUN,prop,f,sg,abs
- ברנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ושמחת: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- עולם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- ראשם: NOUN,m,sg,abs,3,pl
- ששון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ושמחה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ישיגון: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- נסו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- יגון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואנחה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 35:10 (verbal): Near-verbatim parallel: 'the ransomed of the LORD shall return... with singing... everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; sorrow and sighing shall flee away.'
- Isaiah 52:9-10 (thematic): Calls for Zion to 'break forth into joy' and sing at God's salvation—echoes the motif of return, joyful song, and gladness at restoration.
- Psalm 126:1-6 (thematic): Return from exile fills mouths with laughter and singing; those who sow in tears reap in joy—theme of reversal from sorrow to lasting gladness.
- Jeremiah 31:12-13 (allusion): Promises that God will turn mourning into joy and lead the exiles back, using consolatory language similar to Isaiah's depiction of everlasting joy and the end of sighing.
- Zephaniah 3:14-17 (thematic): Commands Zion to sing and rejoice because the Lord has removed judgment and will rejoice over his people—parallels in singing, gladness, and divine comfort.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
- And the ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads. Gladness and joy shall attain them, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Isa.51.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אנכי: PRON,1,sg
- אנכי: PRON,1,sg
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- מנחמכם: PART,pi'el,3,m,sg
- מי: PRON,interr,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- ותיראי: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,2,f,sg
- מאנוש: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ימות: VERB,qal,juss,3,m,sg
- ומבן: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אדם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חציר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ינתן: VERB,niphal,impf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 118:6 (thematic): Both proclaim trust in Yahweh and reject fear of mortal foes—'The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?' echoes Isaiah's question about fearing a man who dies.
- Psalm 103:15-16 (verbal): Uses the same metaphor of human transience—'As for man, his days are as grass' parallels 'the son of man... is like grass' in Isaiah.
- Isaiah 40:6-8 (quotation): Declares 'All flesh is grass' and the fleeting nature of humanity, closely matching Isaiah 51:12's image of the son of man being like grass.
- Matthew 10:28 (thematic): Jesus' admonition not to fear those who can kill the body but to fear God resonates with Isaiah's challenge to fear mortal men who die rather than the Lord who comforts.
Alternative generated candidates
- I, I am he who comforts you. Who are you that you fear a mortal who dies, and the son of man who is like grass?
- I—I am the one who comforts you. Who are you that you fear a mortal who dies, and a son of man who is like the grass?
Isa.51.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותשכח: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- עשך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg+PRON,2,m,sg
- נוטה: VERB,qal,ptc,m,sg
- שמים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ויסד: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ותפחד: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- תמיד: ADV
- כל: DET
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מפני: PREP
- חמת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- המציק: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כאשר: CONJ
- כונן: VERB,qal,ptc,m,sg
- להשחית: VERB,hif,inf
- ואיה: ADV,interr
- חמת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- המציק: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Isaiah 51:12 (structural): Immediate context: verse 12 asserts God’s identity as comforter and creator, which verse 13 echoes by contrasting God’s power with Israel’s fear of human oppressors.
- Isaiah 42:5 (verbal): Uses similar language about God as Creator who 'created the heavens and stretched them out,' linking the theme of divine sovereignty over creation.
- Isaiah 44:24 (verbal): Parallel wording—God as the maker who 'formed' and 'stretched out' the heavens—underscores the rhetorical appeal to God’s creative power as reason not to fear humans.
- Psalm 146:6 (thematic): Affirms trust in the LORD who 'made heaven and earth,' serving the same theological function: trusting the Creator rather than fearing earthly rulers.
- Matthew 10:28 (thematic): New Testament parallel in theme: Jesus admonishes not to fear those who can kill the body but to revere God, echoing Isaiah’s challenge to fear God rather than the oppressor.
Alternative generated candidates
- You have forgotten the LORD your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and founded the earth; and you are continually afraid—every day—because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were about to destroy. Where then is the fury of the oppressor?
- You have forgotten the LORD your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and founded the earth; you tremble continually at the fury of the oppressor as he designs destruction. Where then is the fury of the oppressor?
Isa.51.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- מהר: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- צעה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- להפתח: VERB,niphal,inf,NA,NA,NA,NA
- ולא: CONJ
- ימות: VERB,qal,juss,3,m,sg
- לשחת: VERB,qal,inf
- ולא: CONJ
- יחסר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לחמו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,poss:3,m,sg
Parallels
- Isaiah 61:1 (quotation): Announces release to the captives and liberty to the oppressed—directly parallels Isaiah 51:14’s theme of freeing prisoners and vindication.
- Hosea 13:14 (verbal): Speaks of ransoming from death/Sheol—language of deliverance from death and destruction resonates with Isaiah 51:14’s claim that they will not die to ruin; later quoted in 1 Corinthians 15:55.
- Psalm 37:25 (thematic): “I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread” parallels the assurance in Isaiah 51:14 that bread will not be lacking for God’s people.
- Psalm 34:10 (thematic): Promises that those who seek the LORD lack no good thing; echoes Isaiah 51:14’s promise of provision (no lack of bread) and divine care for the needy.
Alternative generated candidates
- The captive will hasten to be loosed; he will not die and go down to the Pit, nor will his bread be lacking.
- The captive hastens to be freed; he will not die in the pit, nor will his bread be lacking.
Isa.51.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואנכי: PRON,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
- רגע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הים: NOUN,m,sg,abs,def
- ויהמו: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,pl
- גליו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,3,ms
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- צבאות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- שמו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 65:7 (verbal): Speaks of God who 'still[s] the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves'—language that closely parallels Isaiah's depiction of Yahweh's mastery over the sea's tumult.
- Psalm 89:9 (verbal): Declares that you 'rule the swelling of the sea; when its waves rise, you still them'—a near-verbal echo of divine sovereignty over the sea and its waves.
- Nahum 1:4 (thematic): God 'rebukes the sea and dries it up,' portraying Yahweh's power to control and judge the waters, a theme resonant with Isaiah's image of God stirring and commanding the sea.
- Job 38:8-11 (allusion): God recalls shutting the sea behind 'doors' and setting its limits ('Thus far shall you come, and no farther'), an earlier tradition of divine authority over the sea that Isaiah invokes.
- Mark 4:39 (cf. Matthew 8:26; Luke 8:24) (thematic): Jesus' command 'Peace; be still' over the storm functions as a New Testament typological parallel to Yahweh's sovereign control of the sea, illustrating the same mastery over chaotic waters.
Alternative generated candidates
- For I am the LORD your God— I stir up the sea and its waves roar; the LORD of hosts is his name.
- For I am the LORD your God, the one who stilled the sea and made its waves roar— the LORD of hosts is his name.
Isa.51.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואשים: VERB,qal,impf,1,?,sg
- דברי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,c,sg
- בפיך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+2ms
- ובצל: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ידי: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- כסיתיך: VERB,qal,perf,1,,sg,obj-2ms
- לנטע: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- שמים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- וליסד: CONJ+PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ולאמר: VERB,qal,infc
- לציון: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1s
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Isaiah 49:2 (verbal): Shares close verbal imagery—'in the shadow of his hand he hid me' and the commissioning language about the mouth (speech), echoing the 'words in thy mouth' and 'shadow of my hand' of Isa 51:16.
- Jeremiah 1:9 (verbal): God physically touches the prophet's mouth ('Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth')—a direct parallel to the motif of God placing words in the prophet's mouth and commissioning him to speak.
- Ezekiel 3:4-7 (thematic): Ezekiel is given God's words to deliver and instructed about speaking to Israel despite resistance—parallels the prophetic commissioning theme of God putting words in the prophet's mouth and addressing Zion/Israel as his people.
- Isaiah 48:13 (verbal): Echoes of divine creative language: 'My hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth' correspond to Isa 51:16's 'I have planted the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth,' linking prophetic speech with the Creator's authority.
- Genesis 1:1 (see also Psalm 33:6) (thematic): The declaration 'I have planted the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth' alludes to the creation motif (God as maker of heavens and earth), grounding the prophet's commission in God’s creative sovereignty.
Alternative generated candidates
- I have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of my hand, to plant the heavens and to found the earth, and to say to Zion, “You are my people.”
- I have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of my hand, to plant the heavens and to found the earth, and to say to Zion, ‘You are my people.’
Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness, you who seek the LORD; look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug.
Look to Abraham your father and to Sarah who bore you— for I called him when he was alone; I blessed him and made him many.
For the LORD will comfort Zion; he will comfort all her ruins. He will make her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of song.
Give ear to me, my people; my nation, listen to me: for my instruction will go forth from me, and my justice as a light to the nations I will establish.
My righteousness draws near, my salvation has gone out, and my arm will execute justice for the peoples. The coastlands wait for me, and for my arm they hope.
Lift your eyes to the heavens and look to the earth below; for the heavens will vanish like smoke, and the earth will wear out like a garment; its inhabitants will die in like manner. But my salvation will be forever, and my righteousness will not be abolished.
Listen to me, you who know righteousness, you people in whose heart is my law: do not fear the reproach of men, and do not be dismayed at their insults.
For the moth will eat them like a garment, and the worm will eat them like wool; but my righteousness will be forever, and my salvation to all generations.
Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake as in the ancient days, the generations of old. Are you not the one who cut Rahab and pierced the dragon?
Are you not the One who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep; who made the depths of the sea a road for the redeemed to pass over?
Those redeemed by the LORD shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
I, even I, am he who comforts you. Who are you that you fear mortals who die, and the son of man who is like grass?
You forgot the LORD your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and founded the earth; and you feared continually every day because of the wrath of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy. And where is the wrath of the oppressor?
The captive shall hasten to be freed; he shall not die, nor will his bread be lacking.
For I am the LORD your God who stirs up the sea and makes its waves roar— the LORD of hosts is his name.
I have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of my hand; I have planted the heavens and founded the earth, and I say to Zion, “You are my people.”