Ezekiel 4:7

Authorized King James Version

Therefore thou shalt set thy face toward the siege of Jerusalem, and thine arm shall be uncovered, and thou shalt prophesy against it.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְאֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#2
מְצ֤וֹר
toward the siege
something hemming in, i.e., (objectively) a mound (of besiegers), (abstractly) a siege, (figuratively) distress; or (subjectively) a fastness
#3
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙
of Jerusalem
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
#4
תָּכִ֣ין
Therefore thou shalt set
properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,
#5
פָּנֶ֔יךָ
thy 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
#6
וּֽזְרֹעֲךָ֖
and thine arm
the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force
#7
חֲשׂוּפָ֑ה
shall be uncovered
to strip off, i.e., generally to make naked (for exertion or in disgrace), to drain away or bail up (a liquid)
#8
וְנִבֵּאתָ֖
and thou shalt prophesy
to prophesy, i.e., speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse)
#9
עָלֶֽיהָ׃
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

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 revelation 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 divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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