Ezekiel 16:43

Authorized King James Version

Because thou hast not remembered the days of thy youth, but hast fretted me in all these things; behold, therefore I also will recompense thy way upon thine head, saith the Lord GOD: and thou shalt not commit this lewdness above all thine abominations.

Word-by-Word Analysis

יַ֗עַן

H3282

properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause

אֲשֶׁ֤ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לֹֽא

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

זָכַרְתְּ֙י

H2142

Because thou hast not remembered

properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יְמֵ֣י

H3117

the days

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

נְעוּרַ֔יִךְ

H5271

of thy youth

(only in plural collective or emphatic form) youth, the state (juvenility) or the persons (young people)

וַתִּרְגְּזִי

H7264

but hast fretted

to quiver (with any violent emotion, especially anger or fear)

לִ֖י

#10

בְּכָל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#11

אֵ֑לֶּה

H428

these or those

#12

וְגַם

H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

#13

אֲנִ֨י

H589

#14

הֵ֜א

H1887

me in all these things behold

lo!

#15

דַּרְכֵּ֣ךְ׀

H1870

thy way

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

#16

בְּרֹ֣אשׁ

H7218

upon thine head

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

#17

נָתַ֗תִּי

H5414

therefore I also will recompense

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

#18

נְאֻם֙

H5002

saith

an oracle

#19

אֲדֹנָ֣י

H136

the Lord

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

#20

יְהוִ֔ה

H3069

GOD

god

#21

וְלֹ֤א

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#22

עָשִׂית֙י

H6213

and thou shalt not commit

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

#23

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#24

הַזִּמָּ֔ה

H2154

this lewdness

a plan, especially a bad one

#25

עַ֖ל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

#26

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#27

תּוֹעֲבֹתָֽיִךְ׃

H8441

above all thine abominations

properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e., (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol

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

In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?

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