Ezekiel 29:15

Authorized King James Version

It shall be the basest of the kingdoms; neither shall it exalt itself any more above the nations: for I will diminish them, that they shall no more rule over the nations.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
מִן
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#2
הַמַּמְלָכוֹת֙
of the kingdoms
dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)
#3
תִּהְיֶ֣ה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#4
שְׁפָלָ֔ה
It shall be the basest
depressed, literally or figuratively
#5
וְלֹֽא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#6
תִתְנַשֵּׂ֥א
neither shall it exalt
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
#7
ע֖וֹד
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
#8
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#9
בַּגּוֹיִֽם׃
itself any more above the nations
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
#10
וְהִ֨מְעַטְתִּ֔ים
for I will diminish
properly, to pare off, i.e., lessen; intransitively, to be (or causatively, to make) small or few (or figuratively, ineffective)
#11
לְבִלְתִּ֖י
properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n
#12
רְד֥וֹת
them that they shall no more rule
to tread down, i.e., subjugate; specifically, to crumble off
#13
בַּגּוֹיִֽם׃
itself any more above the nations
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

Analysis

This verse develops the kingdom of God theme central to Ezekiel. The concept of kingdom reflects the development of kingdom of God 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

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 kingdom. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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