Ezekiel 1:3

Authorized King James Version

The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
הָיֹ֣ה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
הָיָ֣ה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#3
דְבַר
The word
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#4
יְהוָֽה׃
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#5
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#6
יְחֶזְקֵ֨אל
came expressly unto Ezekiel
jechezkel, the name of two israelites
#7
בֶּן
the son
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#8
בּוּזִ֧י
of Buzi
buzi, an israelite
#9
הַכֹּהֵ֛ן
the priest
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
#10
בְּאֶ֥רֶץ
in the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#11
כַּשְׂדִּ֖ים
of the Chaldeans
a kasdite, or descendant of kesed; by implication, a chaldaean (as if so descended); also an astrologer (as if proverbial of that people
#12
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#13
נְהַר
by the river
a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity
#14
כְּבָ֑ר
Chebar
kebar, a river of mesopotamia
#15
וַתְּהִ֥י
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#16
עָלָ֛יו
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#17
שָׁ֖ם
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
#18
יַד
and the hand
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
#19
יְהוָֽה׃
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Analysis

Within the broader context of Ezekiel, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, 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 historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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