Ezekiel 17:20

Authorized King James Version

And I will spread my net upon him, and he shall be taken in my snare, and I will bring him to Babylon, and will plead with him there for his trespass that he hath trespassed against me.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וּפָרַשְׂתִּ֤י
And I will spread
to break apart, disperse, etc
#2
עָלָיו֙
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#3
רִשְׁתִּ֔י
my net
a net (as catching animals)
#4
וְנִתְפַּ֖שׂ
upon him and he shall be taken
to manipulate, i.e., seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably
#5
בִּמְצֽוּדָתִ֑י
in my snare
a fastness
#6
וַהֲבִיאוֹתִ֣יהוּ
and I will bring
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#7
בָבֶ֗לָה
him to Babylon
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
#8
וְנִשְׁפַּטְתִּ֤י
and will plead
to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal
#9
אִתּוֹ֙
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
#10
שָׁ֔ם
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
#11
מַעֲל֖וֹ
with him there for his trespass
properly, to cover up; used only figuratively, to act covertly, i.e., treacherously
#12
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#13
מָֽעַל
that he hath trespassed
treachery, i.e., sin
#14
בִּֽי׃
H0

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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original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