Ezekiel 25:3

Authorized King James Version

And say unto the Ammonites, Hear the word of the Lord GOD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou saidst, Aha, against my sanctuary, when it was profaned; and against the land of Israel, when it was desolate; and against the house of Judah, when they went into captivity;

Word-by-Word Analysis

אָמְרֵ֨ךְ

H559

And say

to say (used with great latitude)

לִבְנֵ֣י

H1121

unto the Ammonites

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

עַמּ֔וֹן

H5983

ammon, a son of lot; also his posterity and their country

שִׁמְע֖וּ

H8085

Hear

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

דְּבַר

H1697

the word

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

אֲדֹנָ֣י

H136

of the Lord

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יְהוִ֡ה

H3069

GOD

god

כֹּה

H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמְרֵ֨ךְ

H559

And say

to say (used with great latitude)

#10

אֲדֹנָ֣י

H136

of the Lord

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

#11

יְהוִ֡ה

H3069

GOD

god

#12

יַעַן֩

H3282

properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause

#13

אָמְרֵ֨ךְ

H559

And say

to say (used with great latitude)

#14

הֶאָ֜ח

H1889

Aha

aha!

#15

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#16

מִקְדָּשִׁ֣י

H4720

against my sanctuary

a consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary (whether of jehovah or of idols) or asylum

#17

כִֽי

H3588

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

#18

נִחָ֗ל

H2490

when it was profaned

properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin

#19

וְאֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#20

אַדְמַ֤ת

H127

and against the land

soil (from its general redness)

#21

יִשְׂרָאֵל֙

H3478

of Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

#22

כִּ֣י

H3588

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

#23

נָשַׁ֔מָּה

H8074

when it was desolate

to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e., devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense)

#24

וְאֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#25

בֵּ֣ית

H1004

and against the house

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

#26

יְהוּדָ֔ה

H3063

of Judah

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

#27

כִּ֥י

H3588

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

#28

הָלְכ֖וּ

H1980

when they went

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

#29

בַּגּוֹלָֽה׃

H1473

into captivity

exile; concretely and collectively exiles

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 sovereignty 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 sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
How does this verse's literary context within Ezekiel chapter 25 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
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?

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