Ezekiel 33:23

Authorized King James Version

Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְהִ֥י
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
דְבַר
Then the word
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#3
יְהוָ֖ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#4
אֵלַ֥י
near, with or among; often in general, to
#5
לֵאמֹֽר׃
came unto me saying
to say (used with great latitude)

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 divine sovereignty 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

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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original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