Ezekiel 44:4

Authorized King James Version

Then brought he me the way of the north gate before the house: and I looked, and, behold, the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD: and I fell upon my face.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְבִיאֵ֜נִי
Then brought
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#2
דֶּֽרֶךְ
he me the way
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
#3
שַׁ֣עַר
gate
an opening, i.e., door or gate
#4
הַצָּפוֹן֮
of the north
properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)
#5
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#6
פָּנָֽי׃
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
#7
בֵּ֣ית
the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#8
וָאֵ֕רֶא
and I looked
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#9
וְהִנֵּ֛ה
lo!
#10
מָלֵ֥א
filled
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
#11
כְבוֹד
and behold the glory
properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness
#12
יְהוָ֑ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#13
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#14
בֵּ֣ית
the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#15
יְהוָ֑ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#16
וָאֶפֹּ֖ל
and I fell
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
#17
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#18
פָּנָֽי׃
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

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 glory 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

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