Ezekiel 4:12

Authorized King James Version

And thou shalt eat it as barley cakes, and thou shalt bake it with dung that cometh out of man, in their sight.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְעֻגַ֥ת
cakes
an ashcake (as round)
#2
שְׂעֹרִ֖ים
it as barley
barley (as villose)
#3
תֹּֽאכֲלֶ֑נָּה
And thou shalt eat
to eat (literally or figuratively)
#4
וְהִ֗יא
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
#5
בְּגֶֽלְלֵי֙
it with dung
dung (plural balls of dung)
#6
צֵאַ֣ת
that cometh out
issue, i.e., (human) excrement
#7
הָֽאָדָ֔ם
of man
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
#8
תְּעֻגֶ֖נָה
and thou shalt bake
to bake (round cakes on the hearth)
#9
לְעֵינֵיהֶֽם׃
in their sight
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Ezekiel. The concept of divine revelation 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

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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.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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