Ezekiel 16:39

Authorized King James Version

And I will also give thee into their hand, and they shall throw down thine eminent place, and shall break down thy high places: they shall strip thee also of thy clothes, and shall take thy fair jewels, and leave thee naked and bare.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְנָתַתִּ֨י
And I will also give
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#2
אוֹתָ֜ךְ
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#3
בְּיָדָ֗ם
thee into their 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
#4
וְהָרְס֤וּ
and they shall throw down
to pull down or in pieces, break, destroy
#5
גַבֵּךְ֙
thine eminent place
the back (as rounded); by analogy, the top or rim, a boss, a vault, arch of eye, bulwarks, etc
#6
וְנִתְּצ֣וּ
and shall break down
to tear down
#7
רָמֹתַ֔יִךְ
thy high places
a height (as a seat of idolatry)
#8
וְהִפְשִׁ֤יטוּ
they shall strip
to spread out (i.e., deploy in hostile array); by analogy, to strip (i.e., unclothe, plunder, flay, etc.)
#9
אוֹתָךְ֙
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#10
בְּגָדַ֔יִךְ
thee also of thy clothes
a covering, i.e., clothing
#11
וְלָקְח֖וּ
and shall take
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
#12
כְּלֵ֣י
jewels
something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
#13
תִפְאַרְתֵּ֑ךְ
thy fair
ornament (abstractly or concretely, literally or figuratively)
#14
וְהִנִּיח֖וּךְ
and leave
to deposit; by implication, to allow to stay
#15
עֵירֹ֥ם
thee naked
nudity
#16
וְעֶרְיָֽה׃
and bare
nudity

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

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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