Ezekiel 31:16

Authorized King James Version

I made the nations to shake at the sound of his fall, when I cast him down to hell with them that descend into the pit: and all the trees of Eden, the choice and best of Lebanon, all that drink water, shall be comforted in the nether parts of the earth.

Word-by-Word Analysis

מִקּ֤וֹל

H6963

at the sound

a voice or sound

מַפַּלְתּוֹ֙

H4658

of his fall

fall, i.e., decadence; concretely, a ruin; specifically a carcase

הִרְעַ֣שְׁתִּי

H7493

to shake

to undulate (as the earth, the sky, etc.; also a field of grain), particularly through fear; specifically, to spring (as a locust)

גוֹיִ֔ם

H1471

I made the nations

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

י֣וֹרְדֵי

H3381

when I cast him down

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

אֹת֛וֹ

H853

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

שְׁא֖וֹלָה

H7585

to hell

hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories and inmates

אֶת

H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

י֣וֹרְדֵי

H3381

when I cast him down

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

#10

ב֑וֹר

H953

into the pit

a pit hole (especially one used as a cistern or a prison)

#11

וַיִּנָּ֨חֲמ֜וּ

H5162

shall be comforted

properly, to sigh, i.e., breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e., (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavo

#12

בְּאֶ֤רֶץ

H776

of the earth

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

#13

תַּחְתִּית֙

H8482

in the nether parts

lowermost; as noun (feminine plural) the depths (figuratively, a pit, the womb)

#14

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#15

עֲצֵי

H6086

and all the trees

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

#16

עֵ֔דֶן

H5731

of Eden

eden, the region of adam's home

#17

מִבְחַ֥ר

H4005

the choice

select, i.e., best

#18

וְטוֹב

H2896

and best

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

#19

לְבָנ֖וֹן

H3844

of Lebanon

lebanon, a mountain range in palestine

#20

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#21

שֹׁ֥תֵי

H8354

all that drink

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

#22

מָֽיִם׃

H4325

water

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

Analysis

Within the broader context of Ezekiel, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of covenant community connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about covenant community, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Ezekiel.

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 covenant community in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
How does this verse's literary context within Ezekiel chapter 31 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?

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