Ezekiel 44:15

Authorized King James Version

But the priests the Levites, the sons of Zadok, that kept the charge of my sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from me, they shall come near to me to minister unto me, and they shall stand before me to offer unto me the fat and the blood, saith the Lord GOD:

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְהַכֹּהֲנִ֨ים

H3548

But the priests

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

הַלְוִיִּ֜ם

H3881

the Levites

a levite or descendant of levi

בְּנֵֽי

H1121

the sons

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

צָד֗וֹק

H6659

of Zadok

tsadok, the name of eight or nine israelites

אֲשֶׁ֨ר

H834

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

שָׁמְר֜וּ

H8104

that kept

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

אֶת

H853

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

מִשְׁמֶ֤רֶת

H4931

the charge

watch, i.e., the act (custody), or (concretely) the sentry, the post; objectively preservation, or (concretely) safe; figuratively observance, i.e., (

מִקְדָּשִׁי֙

H4720

of my sanctuary

a consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary (whether of jehovah or of idols) or asylum

#10

בִּתְע֤וֹת

H8582

went astray

to vacillate, i.e., reel or stray (literally or figuratively); also causative of both

#11

בְּנֵֽי

H1121

the sons

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

#12

יִשְׂרָאֵל֙

H3478

of Israel

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

#13

מֵֽעָלַ֔י

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

#14

הֵ֛מָּה

H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

#15

לְהַקְרִ֥יב

H7126

from me they shall come near

to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose

#16

אֵלַ֖י

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#17

לְשָֽׁרְתֵ֑נִי

H8334

to me to minister

to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to

#18

וְעָמְד֣וּ

H5975

unto me and they shall stand

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

#19

לְפָנַ֗י

H6440

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

#20

לְהַקְרִ֥יב

H7126

from me they shall come near

to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose

#21

לִי֙

#22

חֵ֣לֶב

H2459

unto me the fat

fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part

#23

וָדָ֔ם

H1818

and the blood

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

#24

נְאֻ֖ם

H5002

saith

an oracle

#25

אֲדֹנָ֥י

H136

the Lord

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

#26

יְהוִֽה׃

H3069

GOD

god

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Ezekiel. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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

Questions for Reflection

How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
How does this verse's literary context within Ezekiel chapter 44 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?

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