Ezekiel 38:8

Authorized King James Version

After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them.

Word-by-Word Analysis

מִיָּמִ֣ים

H3117

days

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

רַבִּ֔ים

H7227

After many

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

תִּפָּקֵד֒

H6485

thou shalt be visited

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

בְּאַחֲרִ֨ית

H319

in the latter

the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity

הַשָּׁנִ֜ים

H8141

years

a year (as a revolution of time)

תָּב֣וֹא׀

H935

thou shalt come

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֶ֣רֶץ׀

H776

into the land

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מְשׁוֹבֶ֣בֶת

H7725

that is brought back

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

#10

מֵחֶ֗רֶב

H2719

from the sword

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

#11

מְקֻבֶּ֙צֶת֙

H6908

and is gathered

to grasp, i.e., collect

#12

מֵעַמִּ֣ים

H5971

out of the nations

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

#13

רַבִּ֔ים

H7227

After many

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

#14

עַ֚ל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

#15

הָרֵ֣י

H2022

against the mountains

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

#16

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל

H3478

of Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

#17

אֲשֶׁר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#18

הָי֥וּ

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

#19

לְחָרְבָּ֖ה

H2723

waste

properly, drought, i.e., (by implication) a desolation

#20

תָּמִ֑יד

H8548

which have been always

properly, continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as adjective) constant (or adverbially, constantly); elliptically the re

#21

וְהִיא֙

H1931

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

#22

מֵעַמִּ֣ים

H5971

out of the nations

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

#23

הוּצָ֔אָה

H3318

but it is brought forth

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

#24

וְיָשְׁב֥וּ

H3427

and they shall dwell

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

#25

לָבֶ֖טַח

H983

safely

properly, a place of refuge; abstract, safety, both the fact (security) and the feeling (trust); often (adverb with or without preposition) safely

#26

כֻּלָּֽם׃

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

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 covenant community 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 literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Ezekiel Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes covenant community in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
How does this verse's literary context within Ezekiel chapter 38 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?

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