Ezekiel 28:23
For I will send into her pestilence, and blood into her streets; and the wounded shall be judged in the midst of her by the sword upon her on every side; and they shall know that I am the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
וְשִׁלַּחְתִּי
For I will send
H7971
וְשִׁלַּחְתִּי
For I will send
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
1 of 15
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
וָדָם֙
and blood
H1818
וָדָם֙
and blood
Strong's:
H1818
Word #:
4 of 15
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
בְּח֣וּצוֹתֶ֔יהָ
into her streets
H2351
בְּח֣וּצוֹתֶ֔יהָ
into her streets
Strong's:
H2351
Word #:
5 of 15
properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors
וְנִפְלַ֤ל
shall be judged
H5307
וְנִפְלַ֤ל
shall be judged
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
6 of 15
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
חָלָל֙
and the wounded
H2491
חָלָל֙
and the wounded
Strong's:
H2491
Word #:
7 of 15
pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted
בְּתוֹכָ֔הּ
in the midst
H8432
בְּתוֹכָ֔הּ
in the midst
Strong's:
H8432
Word #:
8 of 15
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
בְּחֶ֥רֶב
of her by the sword
H2719
בְּחֶ֥רֶב
of her by the sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
9 of 15
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
עָלֶ֖יהָ
H5921
עָלֶ֖יהָ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
10 of 15
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מִסָּבִ֑יב
upon her on every side
H5439
מִסָּבִ֑יב
upon her on every side
Strong's:
H5439
Word #:
11 of 15
(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around
וְיָדְע֖וּ
and they shall know
H3045
וְיָדְע֖וּ
and they shall know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
12 of 15
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
Historical Context
Israel's neighbors perpetually harassed them: Philistines during Judges, Ammon under Saul, Edom during the exile, Phoenicians through idolatrous influence. Each had 'despised' Israel. After Babylon destroyed these nations (586-570 BC), they never regained power. Meanwhile, Israel returned from exile (538 BC), rebuilt the temple (516 BC), and continued to the present—proof of God's electing preservation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's judgment on Israel's oppressors reveal His protective love?
- What does the 'pricking brier' and 'grieving thorn' metaphor teach about hostile influences?
- How should Israel's preservation versus her neighbors' destruction affect our view of election?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And there shall be no more a pricking brier unto the house of Israel, nor any grieving thorn—After judging Israel's oppressors (chapters 25-28), God promises deliverance. סִלּוֹן מַמְאִיר (sillôn mamʾîr, 'pricking brier') and קוֹץ מַכְאִב (qôṣ makhʾîb, 'painful thorn') represent hostile neighbors who tormented Israel.
Of all that are round about them, that despised them—מִכָּל־סְבִיבֹתָם הַשָּׁאטִים אֹתָם (mikkol-sĕbîbôtām hashshāʾṭîm ʾōtām, 'from all around them, those who despise them'). Nations surrounding Israel—Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia, Tyre, Sidon—had oppressed and mocked God's people. And they shall know that I am the Lord GOD—When these hostile neighbors are judged and Israel is restored, all will recognize YHWH's covenant faithfulness. The contrast is stark: Israel disciplined but preserved; hostile nations destroyed permanently. This demonstrates God's electing love (Deuteronomy 7:7-8) and introduces Israel's restoration (28:24-26).