Ezekiel 31:3

Authorized King James Version

Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon with fair branches, and with a shadowing shroud, and of an high stature; and his top was among the thick boughs.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
הִנֵּ֨ה
lo!
#2
אַשּׁ֜וּר
Behold the Assyrian
ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire
#3
אֶ֣רֶז
was a cedar
a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots)
#4
בַּלְּבָנ֗וֹן
in Lebanon
lebanon, a mountain range in palestine
#5
יְפֵ֥ה
with fair
beautiful (literally or figuratively)
#6
עָנָ֛ף
branches
a twig (as covering the limbs)
#7
וְחֹ֥רֶשׁ
shroud
a forest (perhaps as furnishing the material for fabric)
#8
מֵצַ֖ל
and with a shadowing
to shade, as twilight or an opaque object
#9
וּגְבַ֣הּ
and of an high
lofty (literally or figuratively)
#10
קוֹמָ֑ה
stature
height
#11
וּבֵ֣ין
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
#12
עֲבֹתִ֔ים
was among the thick boughs
something intwined, i.e., a string, wreath or foliage
#13
הָיְתָ֖ה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#14
צַמַּרְתּֽוֹ׃
and his top
fleeciness, i.e., foliage

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Ezekiel. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, 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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.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

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