Ezekiel 23:40

Authorized King James Version

And furthermore, that ye have sent for men to come from far, unto whom a messenger was sent; and, lo, they came: for whom thou didst wash thyself, paintedst thy eyes, and deckedst thyself with ornaments,

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְאַ֗ף

H637

And furthermore

meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though

כִּ֤י

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

שָׁל֤וּחַ

H7971

that ye have sent

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

לַֽאֲנָשִׁ֔ים

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

בָ֔אוּ

H935

and lo they came

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

מִמֶּרְחָ֑ק

H4801

from far

remoteness, i.e., (concretely) a distant place; often (adverbially) from afar

אֲשֶׁ֨ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

מַלְאָ֜ךְ

H4397

unto whom a messenger

a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)

שָׁל֤וּחַ

H7971

that ye have sent

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

#10

אֲלֵיהֶם֙

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#11

וְהִנֵּה

H2009

lo!

#12

בָ֔אוּ

H935

and lo they came

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

#13

לַאֲשֶׁ֥ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#14

רָחַ֛צְתְּ

H7364

for whom thou didst wash

to lave (the whole or a part of a thing)

#15

כָּחַ֥לְתְּ

H3583

thyself paintedst

to paint (with stibium)

#16

עֵינַ֖יִךְ

H5869

thy eyes

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

#17

וְעָ֥דִית

H5710

and deckedst

to advance, i.e., pass on or continue; causatively, to remove; specifically, to bedeck (i.e., bring an ornament upon)

#18

עֶֽדִי׃

H5716

thyself with ornaments

finery; generally an outfit; specifically, a headstall

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

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 does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?

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