Ezekiel 44:11

Authorized King James Version

Yet they shall be ministers in my sanctuary, having charge at the gates of the house, and ministering to the house: they shall slay the burnt offering and the sacrifice for the people, and they shall stand before them to minister unto them.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְהָי֤וּ
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
בְמִקְדָּשִׁי֙
in my sanctuary
a consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary (whether of jehovah or of idols) or asylum
#3
לְשָֽׁרְתָֽם׃
Yet they shall be ministers
to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to
#4
פְּקֻדּוֹת֙
having charge
visitation (in many senses, chiefly official)
#5
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#6
שַׁעֲרֵ֣י
at the gates
an opening, i.e., door or gate
#7
הַבָּ֑יִת
of the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#8
לְשָֽׁרְתָֽם׃
Yet they shall be ministers
to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to
#9
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#10
הַבָּ֑יִת
of the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#11
הֵ֠מָּה
they (only used when emphatic)
#12
יִשְׁחֲט֨וּ
they shall slay
to slaughter (in sacrifice or massacre)
#13
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#14
הָעוֹלָ֤ה
the burnt offering
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
#15
וְאֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#16
הַזֶּ֙בַח֙
and the sacrifice
properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)
#17
לָעָ֔ם
for the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#18
וְהֵ֛מָּה
they (only used when emphatic)
#19
יַעַמְד֥וּ
and they shall stand
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
#20
לִפְנֵיהֶ֖ם
before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#21
לְשָֽׁרְתָֽם׃
Yet they shall be ministers
to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to

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 covenant community 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 covenant community. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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