Ezekiel 31:1
And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the third month, in the first day of the month, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִ֗י
H1961
וַיְהִ֗י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 12
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בְּאֶחָ֣ד
And it came to pass in the eleventh
H259
בְּאֶחָ֣ד
And it came to pass in the eleventh
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
2 of 12
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
עֶשְׂרֵה֙
H6240
עֶשְׂרֵה֙
Strong's:
H6240
Word #:
3 of 12
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
בַּשְּׁלִישִׁ֖י
in the third
H7992
בַּשְּׁלִישִׁ֖י
in the third
Strong's:
H7992
Word #:
5 of 12
third; feminine a third (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a third-story cell)
בְּאֶחָ֣ד
And it came to pass in the eleventh
H259
בְּאֶחָ֣ד
And it came to pass in the eleventh
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
6 of 12
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
הָיָ֥ה
H1961
הָיָ֥ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
8 of 12
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
דְבַר
that the word
H1697
דְבַר
that the word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
9 of 12
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
Historical Context
By June 587 BC, Jerusalem's siege had lasted 18 months. Starvation and disease ravaged the city. Yet God continued revealing His plans for the nations, demonstrating that Israel's situation didn't negate His universal sovereignty.
Questions for Reflection
- How can you maintain perspective on God's sovereignty even during personal crises?
- What does it mean that God's purposes extend far beyond your immediate circumstances?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The precise date (eleventh year, third month, first day = June 587 BC) places this oracle shortly before Jerusalem's fall (July/August 586 BC). While Judah faced final crisis, Ezekiel prophesied Egypt's coming doom. The timing reveals God's sovereign orchestration of international affairs and His continued relevance despite Israel's immediate suffering.