What Does Isaiah 9:13 Mean in the King James?
For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the LORD of hosts.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
A blow can reach a person without turning them toward the one who strikes or toward the LORD.
THE MEANING
You can be struck and still not turn toward the one striking you or seek the LORD of hosts; these are distinct movements, neither automatic. Suffering by itself does not guarantee recognition, return, or inquiry.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The false belief is that suffering automatically turns you toward God. Here, a blow and a return are separate events.
THE ROOT
שָׁב
shav
GROWS FROM
שׁוּב
shuv
to turn back, return
“turneth” in this verse is shav. The verb carries the possibility of returning, not just moving in another direction. The verse says the blow does not bring that return.
ALSO GROWS
teshuvah: return, turning back
תְּשׁוּבָה
It names turning as a return toward, not simply a change in direction.
meshubah: backsliding, turning away
מְשׁוּבָה
The same root can describe turning away; Isaiah makes the missing return stark.
דָּרְשׁוּ
darashu
GROWS FROM
דָּרַשׁ
darash
to seek, inquire, consult
“seek” in this verse is darashu. This word carries the sense of active inquiry or seeking counsel, not only a vague longing. The verse names that pursuit as absent alongside the absent return.
ALSO GROWS
doresh: one who seeks or inquires
דֹּרֵשׁ
It describes a seeker as engaged in pursuit; here, that pursuit does not happen.
midrash: inquiry, exposition
מִדְרָשׁ
This related word preserves the root’s searching quality, bringing out the depth of what it means to seek.
THE PATTERN
Pressure can become a turning point, but affliction by itself does not produce return or seeking.
When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and enquired early after God.I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.THE THREAD
When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and enquired early after God.Psalm 78:34 uses the same roots for seeking (darash) and returning (shuv), but shows both actions taking place after the blow. Its paired verbs make the two absences in Isaiah visible.
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