Ezekiel 37:16

Authorized King James Version

Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְאַתָּ֣ה
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#2
וְלִבְנֵ֥י
Moreover thou 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
#3
אָדָ֗ם
of man
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
#4
וּלְקַח֙
take
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
#5
לְךָ֙
H0
#6
עֵ֣ץ
stick
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
#7
אֶחָ֔ד
another
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
#8
וּכְת֣וֹב
and write
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
#9
עָלָיו֙
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#10
לִֽיהוּדָ֔ה
upon it For Judah
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
#11
וְלִבְנֵ֥י
Moreover thou 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
#12
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#13
חֲבֵרָֽו׃
his companions
an associate
#14
וּלְקַח֙
take
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
#15
עֵ֣ץ
stick
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
#16
אֶחָ֔ד
another
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
#17
וּכְת֣וֹב
and write
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
#18
עָלָ֗יו
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#19
לְיוֹסֵף֙
upon it For Joseph
joseph, the name of seven israelites
#20
עֵ֣ץ
stick
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
#21
אֶפְרַ֔יִם
of Ephraim
ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
#22
וְכָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#23
בֵּ֥ית
and for all the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#24
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#25
חֲבֵרָֽו׃
his companions
an associate

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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