Ezekiel 34:18

Authorized King James Version

Seemeth it a small thing unto you to have eaten up the good pasture, but ye must tread down with your feet the residue of your pastures? and to have drunk of the deep waters, but ye must foul the residue with your feet?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
הַמְעַ֣ט
Seemeth it a small thing
a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)
#2
מִכֶּ֗ם
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#3
מִרְעֵיכֶ֔ם
of your pastures
pasture (the place or the act); also the haunt of wild animals
#4
הַטּוֹב֙
the good
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
#5
תִּרְע֔וּ
unto you to have eaten up
to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie
#6
וְיֶ֙תֶר֙
the residue
properly, an overhanging, i.e., (by implication) a small rope (as hanging free)
#7
מִרְעֵיכֶ֔ם
of your pastures
pasture (the place or the act); also the haunt of wild animals
#8
תִּרְמְס֖וּ
but ye must tread down
to tread upon (as a potter, in walking or abusively)
#9
בְּרַגְלֵיכֶ֖ם
with your feet
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
#10
וּמִשְׁקַע
of the deep
a settling place (of water), i.e., a pond
#11
מַ֣יִם
waters
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
#12
תִּשְׁתּ֔וּ
and to have drunk
to imbibe (literally or figuratively)
#13
וְאֵת֙
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#14
הַנּ֣וֹתָרִ֔ים
the residue
to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left; causatively to leave, cause to abound, preserve
#15
בְּרַגְלֵיכֶ֖ם
with your feet
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
#16
תִּרְפֹּשֽׂוּן׃
but ye must foul
to trample, i.e., roil water

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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