Ezekiel 44:7

Authorized King James Version

In that ye have brought into my sanctuary strangers, uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in my sanctuary, to pollute it, even my house, when ye offer my bread, the fat and the blood, and they have broken my covenant because of all your abominations.

Word-by-Word Analysis

בַּהֲבִיאֲכֶ֣ם

H935

In that ye have brought

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

בְּנֵֽי

H1121

into my sanctuary strangers

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

נֵכָ֗ר

H5236

foreign, or (concretely) a foreigner, or (abstractly) heathendom

וְעַרְלֵ֣י

H6189

and uncircumcised

properly, exposed, i.e., projecting loose (as to the prepuce); used only technically, uncircumcised (i.e., still having the prepuce uncurtailed)

לֵב֙

H3820

in heart

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

וְעַרְלֵ֣י

H6189

and uncircumcised

properly, exposed, i.e., projecting loose (as to the prepuce); used only technically, uncircumcised (i.e., still having the prepuce uncurtailed)

בָשָׂ֔ר

H1320

in flesh

flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man

לִהְי֥וֹת

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בְּמִקְדָּשִׁ֖י

H4720

to be in my sanctuary

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

#10

לְחַלְּל֣וֹ

H2490

to pollute

properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin

#11

אֶת

H853

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

#12

בֵּיתִ֑י

H1004

it even my house

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

#13

בְּהַקְרִֽיבְכֶ֤ם

H7126

when ye offer

to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose

#14

אֶת

H853

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

#15

לַחְמִי֙

H3899

my bread

food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

#16

חֵ֣לֶב

H2459

the fat

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

#17

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

#18

וַיָּפֵ֙רוּ֙

H6565

and they have broken

to break up (usually figuratively), i.e., to violate, frustrate

#19

אֶת

H853

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

#20

בְּרִיתִ֔י

H1285

my covenant

a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)

#21

אֶ֖ל

H413

because

near, with or among; often in general, to

#22

כָּל

H3605

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

#23

תּוֹעֲבוֹתֵיכֶֽם׃

H8441

of all your abominations

properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e., (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol

Analysis

The covenant theme here intersects with God's relationship with His people from Abraham through the new covenant. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of evolution from creation covenant through Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, to new covenant. The phrase emphasizing covenant contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's relational commitment from Noah to the new covenant.

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 covenant particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show treaty language and adoption practices from the ancient world, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

How does this passage contribute to our understanding of the progressive revelation of God's purposes throughout Scripture, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
How does the covenant theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of covenant, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of theology of covenant and God's relational commitment?

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