Ezekiel 32:12

Authorized King James Version

By the swords of the mighty will I cause thy multitude to fall, the terrible of the nations, all of them: and they shall spoil the pomp of Egypt, and all the multitude thereof shall be destroyed.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
בְּחַרְב֤וֹת
By the swords
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
#2
גִּבּוֹרִים֙
of the mighty
powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant
#3
אַפִּ֣יל
to fall
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
#4
הֲמוֹנָֽהּ׃
and all the multitude
a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth
#5
עָרִיצֵ֥י
the terrible
fearful, i.e., powerful or tyrannical
#6
גוֹיִ֖ם
of the nations
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
#7
כֻּלָּ֑ם
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#8
וְשָֽׁדְדוּ֙
all of them and they shall spoil
properly, to be burly, i.e., (figuratively) powerful (passively, impregnable); by implication, to ravage
#9
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#10
גְּא֣וֹן
the pomp
the same as h1346
#11
מִצְרַ֔יִם
of Egypt
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
#12
וְנִשְׁמַ֖ד
thereof shall be destroyed
to desolate
#13
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#14
הֲמוֹנָֽהּ׃
and all the multitude
a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth

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 covenant community 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

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

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