Ezekiel 10:9

Authorized King James Version

And when I looked, behold the four wheels by the cherubims, one wheel by one cherub, and another wheel by another cherub: and the appearance of the wheels was as the colour of a beryl stone.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וָאֶרְאֶ֗ה
And when I looked
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#2
וְהִנֵּ֨ה
lo!
#3
אַרְבָּעָ֣ה
behold the four
four
#4
הָא֣וֹפַנִּ֔ים
of the wheels
a wheel
#5
אֵ֖צֶל
by
a side; (as a preposition) near
#6
הַכְּר֣וּב
cherub
a cherub or imaginary figure
#7
הָא֣וֹפַנִּ֔ים
of the wheels
a wheel
#8
אֶחָ֑ד
and another
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
#9
אֵ֖צֶל
by
a side; (as a preposition) near
#10
הַכְּר֣וּב
cherub
a cherub or imaginary figure
#11
אֶחָ֑ד
and another
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
#12
הָא֣וֹפַנִּ֔ים
of the wheels
a wheel
#13
אֶחָ֑ד
and another
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
#14
אֵ֖צֶל
by
a side; (as a preposition) near
#15
הַכְּר֣וּב
cherub
a cherub or imaginary figure
#16
אֶחָ֑ד
and another
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
#17
וּמַרְאֵה֙
and 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),
#18
הָא֣וֹפַנִּ֔ים
of the wheels
a wheel
#19
כְּעֵ֖ין
was as the colour
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
#20
אֶ֥בֶן
H68
stone
a stone
#21
תַּרְשִֽׁישׁ׃
of a beryl
a gem, perhaps the topaz

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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.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

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