Ezekiel 1:28

Authorized King James Version

As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
מַרְאֵ֖ה
As 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),
#2
הַקֶּ֡שֶׁת
of the bow
a bow, for shooting (hence, figuratively, strength) or the iris
#3
אֲשֶׁר֩
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#4
יִֽהְיֶ֨ה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#5
בֶעָנָ֜ן
that is in the cloud
a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e., the nimbus or thunder-cloud
#6
בְּי֣וֹם
in the day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#7
הַגֶּ֗שֶׁם
of rain
a shower
#8
כֵּ֣ן
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
#9
מַרְאֵ֖ה
As 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),
#10
הַנֹּ֙גַהּ֙
of the brightness
brilliancy (literally or figuratively)
#11
סָבִ֔יב
round about
(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around
#12
ה֕וּא
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
#13
מַרְאֵ֖ה
As 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),
#14
דְּמ֣וּת
of the likeness
resemblance; concretely, model, shape; adverbially, like
#15
כְּבוֹד
of the glory
properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness
#16
יְהוָ֑ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#17
וָֽאֶרְאֶה֙
And when I saw
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#18
וָאֶפֹּ֣ל
it I fell
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
#19
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#20
פָּנַ֔י
upon my face
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#21
וָאֶשְׁמַ֖ע
and I heard
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#22
ק֥וֹל
a voice
a voice or sound
#23
מְדַבֵּֽר׃
of one that spake
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Ezekiel. The concept of glory reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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 glory in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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