Ezekiel 44:24

Authorized King James Version

And in controversy they shall stand in judgment; and they shall judge it according to my judgments: and they shall keep my laws and my statutes in all mine assemblies; and they shall hallow my sabbaths.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְעַל

H5921

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

רִ֗יב

H7379

And in controversy

a contest (personal or legal)

הֵ֚מָּה

H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

יַעַמְד֣וּ

H5975

they shall stand

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

וִשְׁפְּטֻ֑הוּ

H8199

and they shall judge

to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal

בְּמִשְׁפָּטַ֖י

H4941

it according to my judgments

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

וִשְׁפְּטֻ֑הוּ

H8199

and they shall judge

to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal

וְאֶת

H853

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

תּוֹרֹתַ֤י

H8451

my laws

a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch

#10

וְאֶת

H853

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

#11

חֻקֹּתַי֙

H2708

and my statutes

a statute

#12

בְּכָל

H3605

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

#13

מוֹעֲדַ֣י

H4150

in all mine assemblies

properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for

#14

יִשְׁמֹ֔רוּ

H8104

and they shall keep

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

#15

וְאֶת

H853

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

#16

שַׁבְּתוֹתַ֖י

H7676

my sabbaths

intermission, i.e (specifically) the sabbath

#17

יְקַדֵּֽשׁוּ׃

H6942

and they shall hallow

to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)

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

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?
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?

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