Ezekiel 23:24

Authorized King James Version

And they shall come against thee with chariots, wagons, and wheels, and with an assembly of people, which shall set against thee buckler and shield and helmet round about: and I will set judgment before them, and they shall judge thee according to their judgments.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וּבָ֣אוּ
And they shall come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#2
עָלַ֡יִךְ
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#3
הֹ֠צֶן
against thee with chariots
a weapon of war
#4
רֶ֤כֶב
wagons
a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e., the upper millstone
#5
וְגַלְגַּל֙
and wheels
a wheel; by analogy, a whirlwind; also dust (as whirled)
#6
וּבִקְהַ֣ל
and with an assembly
assemblage (usually concretely)
#7
עַמִּ֔ים
of people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#8
צִנָּ֤ה
against thee buckler
a (large) shield (as if guarding by prickliness)
#9
וּמָגֵן֙
and shield
a shield (i.e., the small one or buckler); figuratively, a protector; also the scaly hide of the crocodile
#10
וְקוֹבַ֔ע
and helmet
a helmet
#11
יָשִׂ֥ימוּ
which shall set
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#12
עָלַ֖יִךְ
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#13
סָבִ֑יב
round about
(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around
#14
וְנָתַתִּ֤י
and I will set
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#15
לִפְנֵיהֶם֙
before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#16
בְּמִשְׁפְּטֵיהֶֽם׃
judgment
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
#17
וּשְׁפָט֖וּךְ
them and they shall judge
to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal
#18
בְּמִשְׁפְּטֵיהֶֽם׃
judgment
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

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 covenant community 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

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 covenant community in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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