Ezekiel 1:24

Authorized King James Version

And when they went, I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of great waters, as the voice of the Almighty, the voice of speech, as the noise of an host: when they stood, they let down their wings.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וָאֶשְׁמַ֣ע
I heard
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#2
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#3
כְּק֣וֹל
as the noise
a voice or sound
#4
כַנְפֵיהֶֽן׃
of their wings
an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or bedclothing) a flap, (of the earth) a quarter, (of a building) a pinna
#5
כְּק֣וֹל
as the noise
a voice or sound
#6
מַ֨יִם
waters
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
#7
רַבִּ֤ים
of great
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
#8
כְּק֣וֹל
as the noise
a voice or sound
#9
שַׁדַּי֙
of the Almighty
the almighty
#10
בְּלֶכְתָּ֔ם
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#11
כְּק֣וֹל
as the noise
a voice or sound
#12
הֲמֻלָּ֖ה
of speech
a sound
#13
כְּק֣וֹל
as the noise
a voice or sound
#14
מַחֲנֶ֑ה
of an host
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
#15
בְּעָמְדָ֖ם
when they stood
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
#16
תְּרַפֶּ֥ינָה
they let down
to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative)
#17
כַנְפֵיהֶֽן׃
of their wings
an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or bedclothing) a flap, (of the earth) a quarter, (of a building) a pinna

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Ezekiel. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

People