Isaiah's Writing Style: Groups of Words

• Isaiah

The prophet will use a theme in a group of verses, and use words from that theme. Then, in a few verses later, he will use a completely different one. Once you notice the similarities between them, you can see the groups.

I think he uses these to show, in contrast, how the people or the situation is.

• 1:2 - heavens, earth
• 1:3 - the ox, the ass; his owner, his master's crib
• 1:4 - sinful nation, people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters

There are also arching summaries as well, across the groups of verses:

• they have rebelled against me
• Israel doth not know
• my people doth not consider
• they have forsaken the Lord
• they have provoked the Holy one of Israel unto anger
• they are gone away backward

• the whole head, the whole heart, the sole of the foot, the head
• wounds, bruises, putrifying sores
• closed, bound up, mollified with ointment

• scarlet, white as snow, red like crimson

• willing, obedient
• refuse, rebel

• faithful, judgement, righteousness
• harlot, murderers

• silver, wine
• dross, mixed with water

• adversaries, enemies

• dross, tin

• judges, counselors

• Zion, converts
• judgement, righteousness

• oaks (trees), gardens
• shall be ashamed, shall be confounded
• which ye have desired, that ye have chosen

• the strong, the maker
• tow, a spark
• they shall both burn together
• none shall quench them

• the ox knoweth
  • his owner
• the ass
  • his master's crib
• Israel
  • doth not know
• my people
  • doth not consider

• Ah sinful nation
• a people laden with iniquity
• a seed of evil doers
• children that are corrupters
  • they have forsaken the Lord
  • the have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger
  • they are gone away backward

• Hear the word of the Lord
  • ye rulers of Sodom
• give ear unto the law of God
  • ye people of Gomorrah

• cease to do evil / learn to do well
• seek judgement / relieve the oppressed
• judge the fatherless / plead for the widow

Conditional promises:

• If ye be willing and obedient
  • ye shall eat the good of the land
• But if ye refuse and rebel
  • ye shall be devoured with the sword