Ezekiel 33:21

Authorized King James Version

And it came to pass in the twelfth year of our captivity, in the tenth month, in the fifth day of the month, that one that had escaped out of Jerusalem came unto me, saying, The city is smitten.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְהִ֞י
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
בִּשְׁתֵּ֧י
And it came to pass in the twelfth
two; also (as ordinal) twofold
#3
עֶשְׂרֵ֣ה
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
#4
שָׁנָ֗ה
year
a year (as a revolution of time)
#5
בָּעֲשִׂרִ֛י
in the tenth
tenth; by abbreviation, tenth month or (feminine) part
#6
בַּחֲמִשָּׁ֥ה
month in the fifth
five
#7
לַחֹ֖דֶשׁ
day of the month
the new moon; by implication, a month
#8
לְגָלוּתֵ֑נוּ
of our captivity
captivity; concretely, exiles (collectively)
#9
בָּא
came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#10
אֵלַ֨י
near, with or among; often in general, to
#11
הַפָּלִ֧יט
that one that had escaped
a refugee
#12
מִירוּשָׁלִַ֛ם
out of Jerusalem
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
#13
לֵאמֹ֖ר
unto me saying
to say (used with great latitude)
#14
הֻכְּתָ֥ה
is smitten
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
#15
הָעִֽיר׃
The city
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.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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