Ezekiel 23:15

Authorized King James Version

Girded with girdles upon their loins, exceeding in dyed attire upon their heads, all of them princes to look to, after the manner of the Babylonians of Chaldea, the land of their nativity:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
חֲגוֹרֵ֨י
Girded
belted
#2
אֵז֜וֹר
with girdles
something girt; a belt, also a band
#3
בְּמָתְנֵיהֶ֗ם
upon their loins
properly, the waist or small of the back; only in plural the loins
#4
סְרוּחֵ֤י
exceeding
to extend (even to excess)
#5
טְבוּלִים֙
in dyed attire
properly, dyed, i.e., a turban (probably as of colored stuff)
#6
בְּרָ֣אשֵׁיהֶ֔ם
upon their heads
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
#7
מַרְאֵ֥ה
to look to
a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape (especially if handsome, comeliness; often plural the looks),
#8
שָׁלִשִׁ֖ים
all of them princes
a triple, i.e., (as an officer) a general of the third rank (upward, i.e., the highest)
#9
כֻּלָּ֑ם
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#10
דְּמ֤וּת
after the manner
resemblance; concretely, model, shape; adverbially, like
#11
בְּנֵֽי
of the Babylonians
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#12
בָבֶל֙
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
#13
כַּשְׂדִּ֔ים
of Chaldea
a kasdite, or descendant of kesed; by implication, a chaldaean (as if so descended); also an astrologer (as if proverbial of that people
#14
אֶ֖רֶץ
the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#15
מוֹלַדְתָּֽם׃
of their nativity
nativity (plural birth-place); by implication, lineage, native country; also offspring, family

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

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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