Ezekiel 38:21

Authorized King James Version

And I will call for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, saith the Lord GOD: every man's sword shall be against his brother.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְקָרָ֨אתִי
And I will call
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
#2
עָלָ֤יו
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#3
לְכָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#4
הָרַי֙
against him throughout all my mountains
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
#5
חֶ֥רֶב
for a sword
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
#6
נְאֻ֖ם
saith
an oracle
#7
אֲדֹנָ֣י
the Lord
the lord (used as a proper name of god only)
#8
יְהוִ֑ה
GOD
god
#9
חֶ֥רֶב
for a sword
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
#10
אִ֖ישׁ
every man's
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#11
בְּאָחִ֥יו
shall be against his brother
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
#12
תִּֽהְיֶֽה׃
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

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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