Ezekiel 10:14

Authorized King James Version

And every one had four faces: the first face was the face of a cherub, and the second face was the face of a man, and the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְאַרְבָּעָ֥ה
had four
four
#2
פְּנֵי
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
#3
הָאֶחָ֜ד
And every one
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
#4
פְּנֵי
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
#5
הָאֶחָ֜ד
And every one
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
#6
פְּנֵי
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
#7
הַכְּר֗וּב
of a cherub
a cherub or imaginary figure
#8
פְּנֵי
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
#9
הַשֵּׁנִי֙
and the second
properly, double, i.e., second; also adverbially, again
#10
פְּנֵי
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
#11
אָדָ֔ם
of a man
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
#12
וְהַשְּׁלִישִׁי֙
and the third
third; feminine a third (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a third-story cell)
#13
פְּנֵי
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
#14
אַרְיֵ֔ה
of a lion
a lion
#15
וְהָרְבִיעִ֖י
and the fourth
fourth; also (fractionally) a fourth
#16
פְּנֵי
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
#17
נָֽשֶׁר׃
of an eagle
the eagle (or other large bird of prey)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

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 revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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