Ezekiel 22:4

Authorized King James Version

Thou art become guilty in thy blood that thou hast shed; and hast defiled thyself in thine idols which thou hast made; and thou hast caused thy days to draw near, and art come even unto thy years: therefore have I made thee a reproach unto the heathen, and a mocking to all countries.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
בְּדָמֵ֨ךְ
in thy blood
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
#2
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#3
שָׁפַ֜כְתְּ
that thou hast shed
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
#4
אָשַׁ֗מְתְּ
Thou art become guilty
to be guilty; by implication to be punished or perish
#5
וּבְגִלּוּלַ֤יִךְ
thyself in thine idols
properly, a log (as round); by implication, an idol
#6
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#7
עָשִׂית֙
which thou hast made
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#8
טָמֵ֔את
and hast defiled
to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)
#9
וַתַּקְרִ֣יבִי
to draw near
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
#10
יָמַ֔יִךְ
and thou hast caused thy days
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
#11
וַתָּב֖וֹא
and art come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#12
עַד
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#13
שְׁנוֹתָ֑יִךְ
even unto thy years
a year (as a revolution of time)
#14
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#15
כֵּ֗ן
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
#16
נְתַתִּ֤יךְ
therefore have I made
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#17
חֶרְפָּה֙
thee a reproach
contumely, disgrace, the pudenda
#18
לַגּוֹיִ֔ם
unto the heathen
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
#19
וְקַלָּסָ֖ה
and a mocking
ridicule
#20
לְכָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#21
הָאֲרָצֽוֹת׃
to all countries
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

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

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