Ezekiel 17:4

Authorized King James Version

He cropped off the top of his young twigs, and carried it into a land of traffick; he set it in a city of merchants.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אֵ֛ת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#2
רֹ֥אשׁ
the top
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
#3
יְנִֽיקוֹתָ֖יו
of his young twigs
a sucker or sapling
#4
קָטָ֑ף
He cropped off
to strip off
#5
וַיְבִיאֵ֙הוּ֙
and carried
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#6
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#7
אֶ֣רֶץ
it into a land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#8
כְּנַ֔עַן
of traffick
kenaan, a son a ham; also the country inhabited by him
#9
בְּעִ֥יר
it in a city
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#10
רֹכְלִ֖ים
of merchants
to travel for trading
#11
שָׂמֽוֹ׃
he set
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

Analysis

Within the broader context of Ezekiel, this passage highlights salvation through declarative statements that establish theological truth. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Ezekiel.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Ezekiel Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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