Introduction to Isaiah 2:3
Isaiah 2:3 is part of a prophetic vision describing the nations streaming to Zion to learn the ways of YHWH. The verse contains cohortative verbs, which express exhortation, encouragement, or collective determination. The phrase “Let us go up to the mountain of YHWH” is central to the theme of universal pilgrimage and divine instruction. Additionally, the parallel structure between walking and learning reflects the Hebraic connection between obedience and revelation.
This study will analyze the syntax of cohortative verbs, the parallelism of divine instruction and ethical walking, and the theological significance of Zion as the source of Torah.
וְֽהָלְכ֞וּ עַמִּ֣ים רַבִּ֗ים וְאָמְרוּ֙ לְכ֣וּ וְנַעֲלֶ֣ה אֶל־הַר־יְהוָ֗ה אֶל־בֵּית֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י יַעֲקֹ֔ב וְיֹרֵ֨נוּ֙ מִדְּרָכָ֔יו וְנֵלְכָ֖ה בְּאֹרְחֹתָ֑יו כִּ֤י מִצִּיֹּון֙ תֵּצֵ֣א תֹורָ֔ה וּדְבַר־יְהוָ֖ה מִירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃
Analysis of Key Words/Phrases
1. וְֽהָלְכ֞וּ עַמִּ֣ים רַבִּ֗ים (vehalekhu ammim rabbim)
– Root: הָלַךְ (“to walk, to go”)
– Form: Qal perfect 3rd masculine plural with vav-consecutive
– Translation: “And many nations will go”
– Function: Describes a prophetic movement of the nations toward Zion.
2. וְאָמְרוּ֙ לְכ֣וּ וְנַעֲלֶ֣ה (ve’ameru lekhu vena’aleh)
– Verb: נַעֲלֶ֣ה (“let us go up”) – Qal cohortative 1st person plural
– Translation: “And they will say: ‘Come, let us go up'”
– Function: Expresses volitional exhortation (cohortative mood).
3. אֶל־הַר־יְהוָ֗ה (el-har YHWH)
– Root: הַר (“mountain”)
– Translation: “To the mountain of YHWH”
– Function: Refers to Mount Zion, the prophetic site of divine revelation.
4. וְיֹרֵ֨נוּ֙ מִדְּרָכָ֔יו (veyorenu midrakhav)
– Root: יָרָה (“to teach, to instruct”)
– Form: Hifil imperfect 3rd masculine singular with 1st person plural suffix
– Translation: “And He will teach us His ways”
– Function: Denotes divine instruction as central to the pilgrimage.
5. וְנֵלְכָ֖ה בְּאֹרְחֹתָ֑יו (vene’lekha be’orkhotav)
– Verb: נֵלְכָ֖ה (“let us walk”) – Qal cohortative 1st person plural
– Translation: “And let us walk in His paths”
– Function: Cohortative verb parallels the idea of learning and obeying.
6. כִּ֤י מִצִּיֹּון֙ תֵּצֵ֣א תֹורָ֔ה (ki miTziyon tetse torah)
– Verb: תֵּצֵ֣א (“will go forth”) – Qal imperfect 3rd feminine singular
– Translation: “For from Zion shall go forth Torah”
– Function: Highlights Zion as the divine source of instruction.
Explanation of Grammatical Function
The Cohortative Verb נַעֲלֶ֣ה (“Let us go up”)
– Cohortative Mood:
– Used to express desire, encouragement, or exhortation.
– Here, nations invite each other to ascend Zion, signifying a universal call to divine truth.
– Parallel Use:
– וְנַעֲלֶ֣ה (“Let us go up”) → Physical movement toward Zion.
– וְנֵלְכָ֖ה (“Let us walk”) → Ethical and spiritual obedience.
Parallelism Between Teaching and Walking
The structure parallels learning and obedience:
1. וְיֹרֵ֨נוּ֙ מִדְּרָכָ֔יו (“He will teach us His ways”) → Instruction
2. וְנֵלְכָ֖ה בְּאֹרְחֹתָ֑יו (“And let us walk in His paths”) → Obedience
This Hebraic connection between revelation and action is key to Isaiah’s theology.
The Prepositional Phrase מִצִּיֹּון (“From Zion”)
– מִן (“from”) introduces the source of divine teaching.
– Zion as a spiritual center:
– Torah originates in Jerusalem, the city of God.
– This elevates Zion as a prophetic beacon for all nations.
Theological Implications of Zion as a Center of Instruction
1. The Universal Invitation to Worship
– Nations are not forced but willingly seek divine wisdom.
2. Walking as Obedience
– Learning YHWH’s ways must be followed by active commitment.
3. The Authority of Torah from Zion
– Divine law is not merely Israel’s possession—it is a universal revelation.
The Role of the Cohortative and Parallelism in Prophetic Vision
Isaiah 2:3 masterfully combines cohortative verbs, parallelism, and divine instruction to present a universal call to Zion. The relationship between learning and walking in the verse highlights Isaiah’s prophetic vision of a world transformed by the wisdom of YHWH.
Thus, Isaiah 2:3 is not just an eschatological hope but a practical invitation—one that envisions nations voluntarily turning to Zion for divine guidance and righteous living.
