Ezekiel 42:20

Authorized King James Version

He measured it by the four sides: it had a wall round about, five hundred reeds long, and five hundred broad, to make a separation between the sanctuary and the profane place.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
לְאַרְבַּ֨ע
it by the four
four
#2
רוּח֜וֹת
sides
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
#3
מְדָד֗וֹ
He measured
properly, to stretch; by implication, to measure (as if by stretching a line); figuratively, to be extended
#4
ח֤וֹמָה
it had a wall
a wall of protection
#5
לוֹ֙
H0
#6
סָבִ֔יב
round about
(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around
#7
סָבִ֔יב
round about
(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around
#8
אֹ֚רֶךְ
reeds long
length
#9
חֲמֵ֣שׁ
and five
five
#10
מֵא֑וֹת
hundred
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
#11
וְרֹ֖חַב
broad
width (literally or figuratively)
#12
חֲמֵ֣שׁ
and five
five
#13
מֵא֑וֹת
hundred
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
#14
לְהַבְדִּ֕יל
to make a separation
to divide (in variation senses literally or figuratively, separate, distinguish, differ, select, etc.)
#15
בֵּ֥ין
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
#16
הַקֹּ֖דֶשׁ
between the sanctuary
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
#17
לְחֹֽל׃
and the profane place
properly, exposed; hence, profane

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

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