Ezekiel 30:25

Authorized King James Version

But I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and the arms of Pharaoh shall fall down; and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall put my sword into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall stretch it out upon the land of Egypt.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְהַחֲזַקְתִּ֗י

H2388

But I will strengthen

to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra

אֶת

H853

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

וּזְרֹע֥וֹת

H2220

and the arms

the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force

מֶֽלֶךְ

H4428

of the king

a king

בָּבֶ֔ל

H894

of Babylon

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

וּזְרֹע֥וֹת

H2220

and the arms

the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force

פַּרְעֹ֖ה

H6547

of Pharaoh

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

תִּפֹּ֑לְנָה

H5307

shall fall down

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

וְֽיָדְע֞וּ

H3045

and they shall know

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

#10

כִּֽי

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#11

אֲנִ֣י

H589

#12

יְהוָ֗ה

H3068

that I am the LORD

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

#13

בְּתִתִּ֤י

H5414

when I shall put

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

#14

חַרְבִּי֙

H2719

my sword

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

#15

בְּיַ֣ד

H3027

into 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

#16

מֶֽלֶךְ

H4428

of the king

a king

#17

בָּבֶ֔ל

H894

of Babylon

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

#18

וְנָטָ֥ה

H5186

and he shall stretch it out

to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)

#19

אוֹתָ֖הּ

H853

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

#20

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#21

אֶ֥רֶץ

H776

upon the land

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

#22

מִצְרָֽיִם׃

H4714

of Egypt

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

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 divine sovereignty 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

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

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?
In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
How does this verse's literary context within Ezekiel chapter 30 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?

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