Ezekiel 40:4

Authorized King James Version

And the man said unto me, Son of man, behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears, and set thine heart upon all that I shall shew thee; for to the intent that I might shew them unto thee art thou brought hither: declare all that thou seest to the house of Israel.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיְדַבֵּ֨ר

H1696

said

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אֵלַ֜י

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָאִ֗ישׁ

H376

And the man

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

בֶּן

H1121

unto me Son

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אָדָ֡ם

H120

of man

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

רֹאֶ֖ה

H7200

all that thou seest

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

בְעֵינֶיךָ֩

H5869

with thine eyes

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

וּבְאָזְנֶ֨יךָ

H241

with thine ears

broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)

שְּׁמָ֜ע

H8085

and hear

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

#10

וְשִׂ֣ים

H7760

and set

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

#11

לִבְּךָ֗

H3820

thine heart

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

#12

לְכֹ֤ל

H3605

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

#13

אֲשֶׁר

H834

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

#14

אֲנִי֙

H589

#15

רֹאֶ֖ה

H7200

all that thou seest

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

#16

אוֹתָ֔ךְ

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#17

כִּ֛י

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#18

לְמַ֥עַן

H4616

thee for to the intent

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

#19

רֹאֶ֖ה

H7200

all that thou seest

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

#20

הֻבָ֣אתָה

H935

them unto thee art thou brought

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

#21

הֵ֑נָּה

H2008

hither or thither (but used both of place and time)

#22

הַגֵּ֛ד

H5046

hither declare

properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to

#23

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#24

כָּל

H3605

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

#25

אֲשֶׁר

H834

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

#26

אַתָּ֥ה

H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

#27

רֹאֶ֖ה

H7200

all that thou seest

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

#28

לְבֵ֥ית

H1004

to the house

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

#29

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

H3478

of Israel

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

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 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 divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

How might the original audience's understanding of divine revelation differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
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 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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