Ezekiel 28:12

Authorized King James Version

Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
בֶּן
Son
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#2
אָדָ֕ם
of man
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
#3
שָׂ֥א
take up
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
#4
קִינָ֖ה
a lamentation
a dirge (as accompanied by beating the breasts or on instruments)
#5
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#6
מֶ֣לֶךְ
upon the king
a king
#7
צ֑וֹר
of Tyrus
tsor, a place in palestine
#8
אָמַר֙
and say
to say (used with great latitude)
#9
לּ֗וֹ
H0
#10
כֹּ֤ה
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
#11
אָמַר֙
and say
to say (used with great latitude)
#12
אֲדֹנָ֣י
the Lord
the lord (used as a proper name of god only)
#13
יְהוִ֔ה
GOD
god
#14
אַתָּה֙
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#15
חוֹתֵ֣ם
Thou sealest up
to close up; especially to seal
#16
תָּכְנִ֔ית
the sum
admeasurement, i.e., consummation
#17
מָלֵ֥א
full
full (literally or figuratively) or filling (literally); also (concretely) fulness; adverbially, fully
#18
חָכְמָ֖ה
of wisdom
wisdom (in a good sense)
#19
וּכְלִ֥יל
and perfect
complete; as noun, the whole (specifically, a sacrifice entirely consumed); as adverb, fully
#20
יֹֽפִי׃
in beauty
beauty

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 wisdom 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 historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood wisdom. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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