Ezekiel 39:23

Authorized King James Version

And the heathen shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity: because they trespassed against me, therefore hid I my face from them, and gave them into the hand of their enemies: so fell they all by the sword.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְיָדְע֣וּ
H3045
shall know
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
#2
הַ֠גּוֹיִם
H1471
And the heathen
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
#3
כִּ֣י
H3588
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#4
בַעֲוֺנָ֞ם
H5771
for their iniquity
perversity, i.e., (moral) evil
#5
גָּל֣וּ
H1540
went into captivity
to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal
#6
בֵֽית
H1004
that the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#7
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
H3478
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#8
עַ֚ל
H5921
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#9
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#10
מָֽעֲלוּ
H4603
because they trespassed
properly, to cover up; used only figuratively, to act covertly, i.e., treacherously
#11
בִ֔י
H0
#12
וָאַסְתִּ֥ר
H5641
against me therefore hid
to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively
#13
פָּנַ֖י
H6440
I my face
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#14
מֵהֶ֑ם
H1992
they (only used when emphatic)
#15
וָֽאֶתְּנֵם֙
H5414
from them and gave
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#16
בְּיַ֣ד
H3027
them into the hand
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
#17
צָרֵיהֶ֔ם
H6862
of their enemies
a pebble (as in h6864)
#18
וַיִּפְּל֥וּ
H5307
so fell
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
#19
בַחֶ֖רֶב
H2719
they all by the sword
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
#20
כֻּלָּֽם׃
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

Analysis

Within the broader context of Ezekiel, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, 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

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 divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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