Ezekiel 38:11

Authorized King James Version

And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates,

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְאָמַרְתָּ֗
And thou shalt say
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
אֶֽעֱלֶה֙
I will go up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#3
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#4
אֶ֣רֶץ
to the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#5
פְּרָז֔וֹת
of unwalled villages
an open country
#6
אָבוֹא֙
I will go
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#7
הַשֹּׁ֣קְטִ֔ים
to them that are at rest
to repose (usually figurative)
#8
יֹֽשְׁבִים֙
all of them dwelling
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
#9
לָבֶ֑טַח
safely
properly, a place of refuge; abstract, safety, both the fact (security) and the feeling (trust); often (adverb with or without preposition) safely
#10
כֻּלָּ֗ם
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#11
יֹֽשְׁבִים֙
all of them dwelling
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
#12
בְּאֵ֣ין
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
#13
חוֹמָ֔ה
without walls
a wall of protection
#14
וּבְרִ֥יחַ
and having neither bars
a bolt
#15
וּדְלָתַ֖יִם
nor gates
something swinging, i.e., the valve of a door
#16
אֵ֥ין
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
#17
לָהֶֽם׃
H0

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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