Ezekiel 22:26

Authorized King James Version

Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
כֹּהֲנֶ֜יהָ
Her priests
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
#2
חָמְס֣וּ
have violated
to be violent; by implication, to maltreat
#3
תוֹרָתִי֮
my law
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch
#4
וָאֵחַ֖ל
and I am profaned
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
#5
קֹ֤דֶשׁ
between the holy
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
#6
בֵּֽין
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
#7
קֹ֤דֶשׁ
between the holy
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
#8
לְחֹל֙
and profane
properly, exposed; hence, profane
#9
לֹ֣א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#10
הִבְדִּ֔ילוּ
they have put no difference
to divide (in variation senses literally or figuratively, separate, distinguish, differ, select, etc.)
#11
וּבֵין
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
#12
הַטָּמֵ֥א
difference between the unclean
foul in a religious sense
#13
לְטָה֖וֹר
and the clean
pure (in a physical, chemical, ceremonial or moral sense)
#14
לֹ֣א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#15
הוֹדִ֑יעוּ
neither have they shewed
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
#16
וּמִשַׁבְּתוֹתַי֙
from my sabbaths
intermission, i.e (specifically) the sabbath
#17
הֶעְלִ֣ימוּ
and have hid
to veil from sight, i.e., conceal (literally or figuratively)
#18
עֵֽינֵיהֶ֔ם
their eyes
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
#19
וָאֵחַ֖ל
and I am profaned
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
#20
בְּתוֹכָֽם׃
among
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

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

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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