Lexical Summary saan: Load, burden Original Word: סָאַן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance warrior A primitive root; to be miry; used only as denominative from c'own; to shoe, i.e. (active participle) a soldier shod -- warrior. see HEBREW c'own NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origindenominative verb from seon Definition to tread, tramp NASB Translation booted warrior (1), guarded (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [סָאַן] verb probably denominative tread, tramp; — only Qal Participle סֹאֵן בְּרַעַשׁ Isaiah 9:4 (see foregoing). Topical Lexicon Biblical UsageStrong’s Hebrew 5431 appears once in Scripture, Isaiah 9:5, where it designates the heavy, stomping boot of the warrior. The rarity highlights its literary force, intensifying the prophetic picture of battlefield turmoil brought to an abrupt end. Isaiah 9:5 in Context Isaiah 9:5–6 stands at the heart of a prophecy that contrasts the darkness of Assyrian oppression with the dawning light of the coming Messianic reign: “For every trampling boot of battle and the garments rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. For unto us a child is born…” (Isaiah 9:5–6). The boot (סָאַן) is paired with blood-soaked garments—the tangible debris of war—only to be gathered for the fire. The destruction of these implements anticipates the birth of the “Prince of Peace,” whose kingdom renders them obsolete. Historical Background Isaiah prophesied during the Syro-Ephraimite crisis and the mounting menace of Assyria (circa 735–701 B.C.). Heavy military boots were standard issue for Assyrian infantry, engineered for long marches and brutal campaigns. To an eighth-century Judean audience, the image evoked the earth-shaking advance of foreign armies across their land. By declaring those boots destined for the flames, Isaiah assured Judah that the instruments of oppression would not have the last word. Theological Themes 1. Divine Reversal of Violence The boot symbolizes human might; its burning proclaims that God Himself ends conflicts (Psalm 46:9; Hosea 2:18). 2. Messianic Peace The immediate literary move from the consumed boot (Isaiah 9:5) to the birth announcement (Isaiah 9:6) underscores that lasting peace is inseparable from the Messiah’s rule (Micah 4:3). 3. Judgment and Purification Fire in prophetic literature both judges and purifies (Malachi 3:2–3). Here it consumes the tokens of war, prefiguring final eschatological peace (Isaiah 2:4). Typological and Prophetic Significance The burning boot anticipates the eschaton, when Christ abolishes warfare entirely (Zechariah 9:10; Revelation 19:19–21). It also foreshadows the believer’s spiritual footwear: “having fitted your feet with the readiness of the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15). The warrior’s boot is replaced by shoes prepared to spread good news, marking the transformation from carnal conflict to gospel mission. Practical Application for Ministry • Preaching: Isaiah 9:5–6 furnishes a vivid Advent text—war boots turned to ashes, peace incarnate in the Child. Related Concepts Tumult (סְאוֹן, Isaiah 9:5) – the noise accompanying the boot; together the terms portray total battlefield chaos. Garments rolled in blood – parallel imagery of wartime brutality, likewise destined for destruction. Peace imagery – The progression from war boot to “Everlasting Father” aligns with broader Isaianic peace motifs (Isaiah 11:6–9; Isaiah 32:17–18). Conclusion Though occurring only once, סָאַן magnifies Isaiah’s promise that the implements of war will meet the fire, making way for the reign of the Prince of Peace. For the church, the word stands as a reminder that every instrument of human hostility has an expiration date in the light of Christ’s eternal kingdom. Forms and Transliterations סֹאֵ֣ן סאן sō’ên sō·’ên soEnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Isaiah 9:5 HEB: כָל־ סְאוֹן֙ סֹאֵ֣ן בְּרַ֔עַשׁ וְשִׂמְלָ֖ה NAS: boot of the booted warrior in the [battle] tumult, KJV: For every battle of the warrior [is] with confused noise, INT: every boot of the booted the tumult and cloak |
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