Ezekiel 13:8

Authorized King James Version

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you, saith the Lord GOD.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
לָכֵ֗ן
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
#2
כֹּ֤ה
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
#3
אָמַר֙
Therefore thus saith
to say (used with great latitude)
#4
אֲדֹנָ֥י
the Lord
the lord (used as a proper name of god only)
#5
יְהוִֽה׃
GOD
god
#6
יַ֚עַן
properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause
#7
דַּבֶּרְכֶ֣ם
Because ye have spoken
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#8
שָׁ֔וְא
vanity
evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively idolatry (as false, subjective), uselessness (as deceptive, object
#9
וַחֲזִיתֶ֖ם
and seen
to gaze at; mentally to perceive, contemplate (with pleasure); specifically, to have a vision of
#10
כָּזָ֑ב
lies
falsehood; literally (untruth) or figuratively (idol)
#11
לָכֵן֙
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
#12
הִנְנִ֣י
lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if
#13
אֲלֵיכֶ֔ם
near, with or among; often in general, to
#14
נְאֻ֖ם
therefore behold I am against you saith
an oracle
#15
אֲדֹנָ֥י
the Lord
the lord (used as a proper name of god only)
#16
יְהוִֽה׃
GOD
god

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 sovereignty 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

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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original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