Ezekiel 20:21

Authorized King James Version

Notwithstanding the children rebelled against me: they walked not in my statutes, neither kept my judgments to do them, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; they polluted my sabbaths: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the wilderness.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיַּמְרוּ
rebelled
to be (causatively, make) bitter (or unpleasant); (figuratively) to rebel (or resist; causatively, to provoke)
#2
בִ֣י
H0
#3
הַבָּנִ֗ים
Notwithstanding the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#4
בְּחֻקּוֹתַ֣י
not in my statutes
a statute
#5
לֹֽא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#6
הָ֠לָכוּ
against me they walked
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#7
וְאֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#8
מִשְׁפָּטַ֨י
my judgments
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
#9
לֹא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#10
שָׁמְר֜וּ
neither kept
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
#11
יַעֲשֶׂ֨ה
do
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#12
אוֹתָ֗ם
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#13
אֲשֶׁר֩
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#14
יַעֲשֶׂ֨ה
do
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#15
אוֹתָ֤ם
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#16
הָֽאָדָם֙
them which if a man
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
#17
וָחַ֣י
he shall even live
to live; causatively to revive
#18
בָּהֶ֔ם
H0
#19
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#20
שַׁבְּתוֹתַ֖י
my sabbaths
intermission, i.e (specifically) the sabbath
#21
חִלֵּ֑לוּ
in them they polluted
properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin
#22
וָאֹמַ֞ר
then I said
to say (used with great latitude)
#23
לִשְׁפֹּ֧ךְ
I would pour out
to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e., to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc
#24
חֲמָתִ֣י
my fury
heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)
#25
עֲלֵיהֶ֗ם
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#26
לְכַלּ֥וֹת
upon them to accomplish
to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)
#27
אַפִּ֛י
my anger
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
#28
בָּ֖ם
H0
#29
בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃
against them in the wilderness
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert

Analysis

Within the broader context of Ezekiel, this passage highlights salvation through universal language and absolute statements. 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

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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