Ezekiel 21:19

Authorized King James Version

Also, thou son of man, appoint thee two ways, that the sword of the king of Babylon may come: both twain shall come forth out of one land: and choose thou a place, choose it at the head of the way to the city.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְאַתָּ֨ה

H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

בֶן

H1121

Also thou son

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אָדָ֜ם

H120

of man

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

שִׂים

H7760

appoint

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

לְךָ֣׀

שְׁנֵיהֶ֑ם

H8147

both twain

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

דֶּֽרֶךְ

H1870

of the way

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

לָבוֹא֙

H935

may come

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

חֶ֣רֶב

H2719

that the sword

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

#10

מֶֽלֶךְ

H4428

of the king

a king

#11

בָּבֶ֔ל

H894

of Babylon

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

#12

מֵאֶ֥רֶץ

H776

land

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

#13

אֶחָ֖ד

H259

out of one

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

#14

יֵצְא֣וּ

H3318

shall come forth

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

#15

שְׁנֵיהֶ֑ם

H8147

both twain

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

#16

וְיָ֣ד

H3027

thou a place

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

#17

בָּרֵֽא׃

H1254

and choose

(absolutely) to create; (qualified) to cut down (a wood), select, feed (as formative processes)

#18

בְּרֹ֥אשׁ

H7218

it at the head

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

#19

דֶּֽרֶךְ

H1870

of the way

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

#20

עִ֖יר

H5892

to the city

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

#21

בָּרֵֽא׃

H1254

and choose

(absolutely) to create; (qualified) to cut down (a wood), select, feed (as formative processes)

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Ezekiel. The concept of divine revelation 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

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

How might the original audience's understanding of divine revelation differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
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?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine revelation address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?

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