Ezekiel 30:12

Authorized King James Version

And I will make the rivers dry, and sell the land into the hand of the wicked: and I will make the land waste, and all that is therein, by the hand of strangers: I the LORD have spoken it.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְנָתַתִּ֤י

H5414

And I will make

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

יְאֹרִים֙

H2975

the rivers

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

חָֽרָבָ֔ה

H2724

dry

a desert

וּמָכַרְתִּ֥י

H4376

and sell

to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or figuratively (to surrender)

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֶ֤רֶץ

H776

and I will make the land

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

בְּיַד

H3027

by the hand

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

רָעִ֑ים

H7451

of the wicked

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

וַהֲשִׁמֹּתִ֞י

H8074

waste

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

#10

אֶ֤רֶץ

H776

and I will make the land

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

#11

וּמְלֹאָהּ֙

H4393

and all that is therein

fulness (literally or figuratively)

#12

בְּיַד

H3027

by the hand

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

#13

זָרִ֔ים

H2114

of strangers

to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be a foreigner, strange, profane; specifically (active participle) to commit adultery

#14

אֲנִ֥י

H589

#15

יְהוָ֖ה

H3068

I the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#16

דִּבַּֽרְתִּי׃

H1696

have spoken

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

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

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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?
How does this verse's literary context within Ezekiel chapter 30 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?

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