Ezekiel 20:15

Authorized King James Version

Yet also I lifted up my hand unto them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands;

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְגַם
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
#2
אֲנִ֗י
i
#3
נָשָׂ֧אתִי
Yet also I lifted up
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
#4
יָדִ֛י
my hand
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
#5
לָהֶ֖ם
H0
#6
בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר
unto them in the wilderness
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
#7
לְבִלְתִּי֩
properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n
#8
הָבִ֨יא
that I would not bring
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#9
אוֹתָ֜ם
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#10
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#11
הָאֲרָצֽוֹת׃
of all lands
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#12
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#13
נָתַ֗תִּי
which I had given
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#14
זָבַ֤ת
them flowing
to flow freely (as water), i.e., (specifically) to have a (sexual) flux; figuratively, to waste away; also to overflow
#15
חָלָב֙
with milk
milk (as the richness of kine)
#16
וּדְבַ֔שׁ
and honey
honey (from its stickiness); by analogy, syrup
#17
צְבִ֥י
which is the glory
a gazelle (as beautiful)
#18
הִ֖יא
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
#19
לְכָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#20
הָאֲרָצֽוֹת׃
of all lands
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Ezekiel. The concept of glory reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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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