Ezekiel 1:21

Authorized King James Version

When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
בְּלֶכְתָּ֣ם
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#2
יֵלֵ֔כוּ
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#3
יַֽעֲמֹ֑דוּ
and when those stood
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
#4
יַֽעֲמֹ֑דוּ
and when those stood
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
#5
יִנָּשְׂא֤וּ
and when those were lifted up
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
#6
מֵעַ֣ל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#7
הָאָ֗רֶץ
from the earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#8
יִנָּשְׂא֤וּ
and when those were lifted up
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
#9
בָּאוֹפַנִּֽים׃
the wheels
a wheel
#10
לְעֻמָּתָ֔ם
over against
conjunction, i.e., society; mostly adverb or preposition (with prepositional prefix), near, beside, along with
#11
כִּ֛י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#12
ר֥וּחַ
them for the spirit
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
#13
הַחַיָּ֖ה
of 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
#14
בָּאוֹפַנִּֽים׃
the wheels
a wheel

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

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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