Isaiah 63:7-9

Isaiah 63:7-9
First Sunday after Christmas Day A

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I will recountA the gracious deedsB of the Lord,C
    the praiseworthy actsD of the Lord,

Notes on verse 7a

A “recount” = zakar. This is to remember, to mark something so that it can be recalled, to be mindful of, to mention.
B “gracious deeds” = chesed. From chasad (being good, kind, merciful; may mean bowing one’s neck as is done in the presence of an equal for courtesy’s sake; so, if one in a superior position is treating you like an equal, that is what is captured here). This is favor, goodness, kindness, loving kindness, pity, reproach, or a good deed. When done by God to humanity, this is mercy/loving kindness. When done by humanity to God, it is piety.
C “Lord” = YHVH. From havah (to be, become) or hayah (to come to pass, become, be). This is the name of the God of Israel, the self-existent and eternal one, the tetragrammaton. This pronunciation has been lost to time so “Lord” is generally used in its place.
D “praiseworthy acts” = tehillah. From halal (to praise, be boastful). This is praise or a song of praise. It is to offer God a hymn, to boast in God. This shares a root with “hallelujah.”

because of allE that the Lord has doneF for us
    and the greatG favorH to the houseI of IsraelJ

Notes on verse 7b

E “all” = kol. From kalal (to complete). This is all or every.
F “done” = gamal. This is how one deals with someone whether positively or negatively – so to reward, requite. It can also mean to wean or the work that goes into something ripening.
G “great” = rab. From rabab (increasing in any aspect whether quantity, authority, size, quality, greatness, etc.). This is abundance, many, elder, exceedingly, great. It refers to abundance of amount, rank, or status.
H “favor” = tub. From tob (to be pleasing, to be good). This is goodness, gladness, something that is good. It can also be beauty, welfare, or joy.
I “house” = bayit. Probably from banah (to build, make, set up, obtain children; to build literally or figuratively). This is house, court, family, palace, temple.
J “Israel” = Yisrael. From sarah (to persist, exert oneself, contend, persevere, wrestle, prevail) + el (God or god). This is Israel, meaning God strives or one who strives with God; new name for Jacob and for his offspring. This refers to the people and to the land.

that he has shownK them according to his mercy,L
    according to the abundanceM of his steadfast love.N

Notes on verse 7c

K “shown” = gamal. Same as “done” in v7. See note F above.
L “mercy” = racham. From the same as rechem (womb); from racham (to love, have compassion, have mercy); from racham (compassion, tender love, womb, compassion; the womb as that which cherishes the fetus). This is compassion, mercy, or tender love.
M “abundance” = rob. Related to “great” in v7. From rabab (see note G above).
N “steadfast love” = chesed. Same as “gracious deeds” in v7. See note B above.

For he said, “SurelyO they are my people,P
    childrenQ who will not act deceitfully,”R

Notes on verse 8a

O “surely” = ak. Related to aken (surely, truly, nevertheless); from kun (properly, in a perpendicular position; literally, to establish, fix, fasten, prepare; figuratively, it is certainty, to be firm, faithfulness, render sure or prosperous). This is a positive statement – surely, also, certainly, alone, only.
P “people” = am. From amam (to darken, hide, associate; creating shadows by huddling together). This is people or nation. It can be used specifically for a tribe, collectively of troops or armies, or figuratively to refer to a flock of animals.
Q “children” = ben. Related to “house” in v7. From banah (see note I above). This is son, age, child. It is son in a literal or figurative sense.
R “act deceitfully” = shaqar. 6x in NT. From sheqer (deception, lie, disappointment, or thing that is vain). This is to deal falsely, generally to lie. It can be to cheat, but it usually refer to lying words.

and he becameS their saviorT
    in all their distress.U

Notes on verses 8b-9a

S “became” = hayah. Related to “Lord” in v7. See note C above.
T “savior” = yasha. To deliver, defend, help, preserve, rescue, be safe. Properly, to be open, wide or free, which implies being safe. Used causatively, it means to free.
U “distress” = tsarah. From tsar (properly, a narrow or constricted place; figuratively, trouble, a pebble, an enemy, anguish, or distress); from tsarar (to bind, restrict, narrow, be cramped, an adversary). This is tightness, distress, affliction, trouble, or adversary.

It was no messengerV or angelW
    but his presenceX that savedY them;

Notes on verse 9b

V “messenger” = tsar. Related to “distress” in v9. See note U above.
W “angel” = malak. This is a messenger, an angel, or a deputy of some kind. Can be used for human messengers literally or for prophets, priests, or teachers as messengers of God. Also used for supernatural messengers i.e. angels.
X “presence” = paneh. From panah (to turn, face, appear). This is face in a literal or figurative sense. It could be face, presence, anger, respect. It can also be used of God to indicate divine favor or presence.
Y “saved” = yasha. Same as “savior” in v8. See note T above.

in his loveZ and pityAA it was he who redeemedBB them;
    he liftedCC them up and carriedDD them all the daysEE of old.FF

Notes on verse 9c

Z “love” = ahabah. From ahab (love or affection); from aheb (to love, beloved, friend; to have affection for sexually or otherwise). This is love as a noun.
AA “pity” = chemlah. 2x in NT. From chamal (to spare, commiserate, show compassion). This is compassion or mercy.
BB “redeemed” = gaal. This is to redeem someone or something according to kinship laws. So, it could be acting on a relative’s behalf to buy back their property, to marry one’s brother’s widow, etc. This could be more briefly translated as to redeem, acts as kinsman, or purchase. As a noun, it could be deliverer or avenger.
CC “lifted” = natal. 4x in NT. This is to lift, lay, take up, or impose.
DD “carried” = nasa. This is to lift in a broad sense, literally and figuratively. So it could be to carry, take, or arise. It could also be bring forth, advance, accept.
EE “days” = yom. Root may mean being hot. This is the day in a literal or figurative sense. It can also mean birth, age, daylight, continually or other references to time.
FF “old” = olam. This is a long scope of time whether in the past (antiquity, ancient time) or in the future (eternal, everlasting).


Image credit: “Petra-5” by Leon petrosyan, 2014.

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