Ezekiel 18:6

Authorized King James Version

And hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, neither hath defiled his neighbour's wife, neither hath come near to a menstruous woman,

Word-by-Word Analysis

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הֶֽהָרִים֙

H2022

upon the mountains

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

לֹ֣א

H3808

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

אָכָ֔ל

H398

And hath not eaten

to eat (literally or figuratively)

וְעֵינָיו֙

H5869

his eyes

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

לֹ֣א

H3808

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

נָשָׂ֔א

H5375

neither hath lifted up

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

גִּלּוּלֵ֖י

H1544

to the idols

properly, a log (as round); by implication, an idol

#10

בֵּ֣ית

H1004

of the house

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

#11

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל

H3478

of Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

#12

וְאֶת

H853

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

#13

אִשָּׁ֥ה

H802

wife

a woman

#14

רֵעֵ֙הוּ֙

H7453

his neighbour's

an associate (more or less close)

#15

לֹ֣א

H3808

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

#16

טִמֵּ֔א

H2930

neither hath defiled

to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)

#17

וְאֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#18

אִשָּׁ֥ה

H802

wife

a woman

#19

נִדָּ֖ה

H5079

to a menstruous

properly, rejection; by implication, impurity, especially personal (menstruation) or moral (idolatry, incest)

#20

לֹ֥א

H3808

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

#21

יִקְרָֽב׃

H7126

neither hath come near

to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose

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

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?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
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?

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