Ezekiel 10:16

Authorized King James Version

And when the cherubims went, the wheels went by them: and when the cherubims lifted up their wings to mount up from the earth, the same wheels also turned not from beside them.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וּבְלֶ֙כֶת֙
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#2
הַכְּרוּבִ֜ים
And when the cherubims
a cherub or imaginary figure
#3
יֵלְכ֥וּ
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#4
הָאוֹפַנִּ֛ים
the same wheels
a wheel
#5
מֵאֶצְלָֽם׃
by them
a side; (as a preposition) near
#6
וּבִשְׂאֵ֨ת
lifted up
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
#7
הַכְּרוּבִ֜ים
And when the cherubims
a cherub or imaginary figure
#8
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#9
כַּנְפֵיהֶ֗ם
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
#10
לָרוּם֙
to mount up
to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
#11
מֵעַ֣ל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#12
הָאָ֔רֶץ
from the earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#13
לֹא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#14
יִסַּ֧בּוּ
turned
to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively
#15
הָאוֹפַנִּ֛ים
the same wheels
a wheel
#16
גַּם
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
#17
הֵ֖ם
also
they (only used when emphatic)
#18
מֵאֶצְלָֽם׃
by them
a side; (as a preposition) near

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 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 divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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