Ezekiel 17:23

Authorized King James Version

In the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it: and it shall bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar: and under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing; in the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
בְּהַ֨ר
In the mountain
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
#2
מְר֤וֹם
of the height
altitude, i.e., concretely (an elevated place), abstractly (elevation, figuratively (elation), or adverbially (aloft)
#3
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#4
אֶשְׁתֳּלֶ֔נּוּ
will I plant
to transplant
#5
וְנָשָׂ֤א
it and it shall bring forth
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
#6
עָנָף֙
boughs
a twig (as covering the limbs)
#7
וְעָ֣שָׂה
and bear
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#8
פֶ֔רִי
fruit
fruit (literally or figuratively)
#9
וְהָיָ֖ה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#10
לְאֶ֣רֶז
cedar
a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots)
#11
אַדִּ֑יר
and be a goodly
wide or (generally) large; figuratively, powerful
#12
תִּשְׁכֹּֽנָּה׃
and under it shall dwell
to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)
#13
תַחְתָּ֗יו
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
#14
כֹּ֚ל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#15
צִפּ֣וֹר
all fowl
a little bird (as hopping)
#16
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#17
כָּנָ֔ף
of every wing
an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or bedclothing) a flap, (of the earth) a quarter, (of a building) a pinna
#18
בְּצֵ֥ל
in the shadow
shade, whether literal or figurative
#19
דָּלִיּוֹתָ֖יו
of the branches
something dangling, i.e., a bough
#20
תִּשְׁכֹּֽנָּה׃
and under it shall dwell
to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)

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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