Ezekiel 29:3

Authorized King James Version

Speak, and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great dragon that lieth in the midst of his rivers, which hath said, My river is mine own, and I have made it for myself.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
דַּבֵּ֨ר
Speak
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#2
אָמַ֛ר
Thus saith
to say (used with great latitude)
#3
כֹּֽה
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
#4
אָמַ֛ר
Thus saith
to say (used with great latitude)
#5
אֲדֹנָ֣י
the Lord
the lord (used as a proper name of god only)
#6
יְהוִ֗ה
GOD
god
#7
הִנְנִ֤י
lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if
#8
עָלֶ֙יךָ֙
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#9
פַּרְעֹ֣ה
Behold I am against thee Pharaoh
paroh, a general title of egyptian kings
#10
מֶֽלֶךְ
king
a king
#11
מִצְרַ֔יִם
of Egypt
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
#12
הַתַּנִּים֙
dragon
a marine or land monster, i.e., sea-serpent or jackal
#13
הַגָּד֔וֹל
the great
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
#14
הָרֹבֵ֖ץ
that lieth
to crouch (on all four legs folded, like a recumbent animal); by implication, to recline, repose, brood, lurk, imbed
#15
בְּת֣וֹךְ
in the midst
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
#16
יְאֹרִ֖י
My river
a channel, e.g., a fosse, canal, shaft; specifically the nile, as the one river of egypt, including its collateral trenches; also the tigris, as the m
#17
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#18
אָמַ֛ר
Thus saith
to say (used with great latitude)
#19
לִ֥י
H0
#20
יְאֹרִ֖י
My river
a channel, e.g., a fosse, canal, shaft; specifically the nile, as the one river of egypt, including its collateral trenches; also the tigris, as the m
#21
וַאֲנִ֥י
i
#22
עֲשִׂיתִֽנִי׃
is mine own and I have made
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Ezekiel. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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

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