Ezekiel 20:6

Authorized King James Version

In the day that I lifted up mine hand unto them, to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
בַּיּ֣וֹם
In the day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#2
הַה֗וּא
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
#3
נָשָׂ֤אתִי
that I lifted up
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
#4
יָדִי֙
mine 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
לָהֶ֔ם
H0
#6
לְהֽוֹצִיאָ֖ם
unto them to bring them forth
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#7
הָאֲרָצֽוֹת׃
into a land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#8
מִצְרָ֑יִם
of Egypt
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
#9
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#10
הָאֲרָצֽוֹת׃
into a land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#11
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#12
תַּ֣רְתִּי
that I had espied
to meander (causatively, guide) about, especially for trade or reconnoitring
#13
לָהֶ֗ם
H0
#14
זָבַ֤ת
for 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׃
into a land
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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