Ezekiel 38:18

Authorized King James Version

And it shall come to pass at the same time when Gog shall come against the land of Israel, saith the Lord GOD, that my fury shall come up in my face.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְהָיָ֣ה׀
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
בְּי֨וֹם
And it shall come to pass at the same time
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#3
הַה֗וּא
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
#4
בְּי֨וֹם
And it shall come to pass at the same time
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#5
בּ֥וֹא
shall come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#6
גוֹג֙
Gog
gog, the name of an israelite, also of some nothern nation
#7
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#8
אַדְמַ֣ת
against the land
soil (from its general redness)
#9
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#10
נְאֻ֖ם
saith
an oracle
#11
אֲדֹנָ֣י
the Lord
the lord (used as a proper name of god only)
#12
יְהוִ֑ה
GOD
god
#13
תַּעֲלֶ֥ה
shall come up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#14
חֲמָתִ֖י
that my fury
heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)
#15
בְּאַפִּֽי׃
in my face
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire

Analysis

Within the broader context of Ezekiel, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Ezekiel.

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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