Ezekiel 23:45

Authorized King James Version

And the righteous men, they shall judge them after the manner of adulteresses, and after the manner of women that shed blood; because they are adulteresses, and blood is in their hands.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַאֲנָשִׁ֣ים
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)
#2
צַדִּיקִ֗ם
And the righteous
just
#3
הֵ֚מָּה
they (only used when emphatic)
#4
יִשְׁפְּט֣וּ
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
#5
אֽוֹתְהֶ֔ם
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#6
וּמִשְׁפַּ֖ט
and after the manner
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
#7
נֹֽאֲפֹת֙
because they are adulteresses
to commit adultery; figuratively, to apostatize
#8
וּמִשְׁפַּ֖ט
and after the manner
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
#9
שֹׁפְכ֣וֹת
of women that 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
#10
וְדָ֖ם
and 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
#11
כִּ֤י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#12
נֹֽאֲפֹת֙
because they are adulteresses
to commit adultery; figuratively, to apostatize
#13
הֵ֔נָּה
themselves (often used emphatic for the copula, also in indirect relation)
#14
וְדָ֖ם
and 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
#15
בִּֽידֵיהֶֽן׃
is in their hands
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

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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