Ezekiel 36:3

Authorized King James Version

Therefore prophesy and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because they have made you desolate, and swallowed you up on every side, that ye might be a possession unto the residue of the heathen, and ye are taken up in the lips of talkers, and are an infamy of the people:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
לָכֵן֙
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
#2
הִנָּבֵ֣א
Therefore prophesy
to prophesy, i.e., speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse)
#3
אָמַ֖ר
Thus saith
to say (used with great latitude)
#4
כֹּ֥ה
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
#5
אָמַ֖ר
Thus saith
to say (used with great latitude)
#6
אֲדֹנָ֣י
the Lord
the lord (used as a proper name of god only)
#7
יְהוִ֑ה
GOD
god
#8
יַ֣עַן
properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause
#9
בְּיַ֡עַן
properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause
#10
שַׁמּוֹת֩
Because they have made you desolate
to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e., devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense)
#11
וְשָׁאֹ֨ף
and swallowed you up
to inhale eagerly; figuratively, to cover; by implication, to be angry; also to hasten
#12
אֶתְכֶ֜ם
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#13
מִסָּבִ֗יב
on every side
(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around
#14
לִֽהְיוֹתְכֶ֤ם
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#15
מֽוֹרָשָׁה֙
that ye might be a possession
a possession
#16
לִשְׁאֵרִ֣ית
unto the residue
a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion
#17
הַגּוֹיִ֔ם
of the heathen
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
#18
וַתֵּֽעֲל֛וּ
and ye are taken up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#19
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#20
שְׂפַ֥ת
in the lips
the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
#21
לָשׁ֖וֹן
of talkers
the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame,
#22
וְדִבַּת
and are an infamy
slander
#23
עָֽם׃
of the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

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

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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