Ezekiel 38:22

Authorized King James Version

And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְנִשְׁפַּטְתִּ֥י
And I will plead
to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal
#2
אִתּ֖וֹ
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#3
בְּדֶ֣בֶר
against him with pestilence
a pestilence
#4
וּבְדָ֑ם
and with blood
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
#5
וְגֶ֣שֶׁם
rain
a shower
#6
שׁוֹטֵף֩
that are with him an overflowing
to gush; by implication, to inundate, cleanse; by analogy, to gallop, conquer
#7
וְאַבְנֵ֨י
H68
a stone
#8
אֶלְגָּבִ֜ישׁ
and great hailstones
hail (as if a great pearl)
#9
אֵ֣שׁ
fire
fire (literally or figuratively)
#10
וְגָפְרִ֗ית
and brimstone
properly, cypress-resin; by analogy, sulphur (as equally inflammable)
#11
אַמְטִ֤יר
and I will rain
to rain
#12
עָלָיו֙
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#13
וְעַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#14
אֲגַפָּ֔יו
upon him and upon his bands
(only plural) wings of an army, or crowds of troops
#15
וְעַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#16
עַמִּ֥ים
people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#17
רַבִּ֖ים
and upon the many
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
#18
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#19
אִתּֽוֹ׃
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Ezekiel. The concept of covenant community 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

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 covenant community. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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