Ezekiel 33:24

Authorized King James Version

Son of man, they that inhabit those wastes of the land of Israel speak, saying, Abraham was one, and he inherited the land: but we are many; the land is given us for inheritance.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
בֶּן
Son
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#2
אָדָ֗ם
of man
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
#3
יֹ֠שְׁבֵי
they that inhabit
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
#4
הֶחֳרָב֨וֹת
those wastes
properly, drought, i.e., (by implication) a desolation
#5
הָאֵ֜לֶּה
these or those
#6
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#7
אַדְמַ֤ת
of the land
soil (from its general redness)
#8
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#9
לֵאמֹ֔ר
saying
to say (used with great latitude)
#10
לֵאמֹ֔ר
saying
to say (used with great latitude)
#11
אֶחָד֙
was one
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
#12
הָיָ֣ה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#13
אַבְרָהָ֔ם
H85
Abraham
abraham, the later name of abram
#14
וַיִּירַ֖שׁ
and he inherited
to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish
#15
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#16
הָאָ֖רֶץ
the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#17
וַאֲנַ֣חְנוּ
we
#18
רַבִּ֔ים
but we are many
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
#19
לָ֛נוּ
H0
#20
נִתְּנָ֥ה
is given
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#21
הָאָ֖רֶץ
the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#22
לְמוֹרָשָֽׁה׃
us for inheritance
a possession

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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