Ezekiel 1:13

Authorized King James Version

As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps: it went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וּדְמ֨וּת
As for the likeness
resemblance; concretely, model, shape; adverbially, like
#2
הַחַיּ֑וֹת
among the living creatures
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
#3
כְּמַרְאֵ֣ה
and like the appearance
a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape (especially if handsome, comeliness; often plural the looks),
#4
כְּגַחֲלֵי
coals
an ember
#5
הָאֵ֖שׁ
and out of the fire
fire (literally or figuratively)
#6
בֹּֽעֲרוֹת֙
was like burning
to be(-come) brutish
#7
כְּמַרְאֵ֣ה
and like the appearance
a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape (especially if handsome, comeliness; often plural the looks),
#8
הַלַּפִּדִ֔ים
of lamps
a flambeau, lamp or flame
#9
הִ֕יא
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
#10
מִתְהַלֶּ֖כֶת
it went up and down
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#11
בֵּ֣ין
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
#12
הַחַיּ֑וֹת
among the living creatures
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
#13
וְנֹ֣גַהּ
was bright
brilliancy (literally or figuratively)
#14
הָאֵ֖שׁ
and out of the fire
fire (literally or figuratively)
#15
וּמִן
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#16
הָאֵ֖שׁ
and out of the fire
fire (literally or figuratively)
#17
יוֹצֵ֥א
went forth
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#18
בָרָֽק׃
lightning
lightning; by analogy, a gleam; concretely, a flashing sword

Analysis

Within the broader context of Ezekiel, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by establishing foundational concepts crucial to Ezekiel's theological argument.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Ezekiel Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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