Ezekiel 47:1

Authorized King James Version

Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְשִׁבֵנִי֮
Afterward he brought me again
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#2
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#3
פֶּ֣תַח
unto the door
an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way
#4
הַבַּ֙יִת֙
of the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#5
וְהִנֵּה
lo!
#6
וְהַמַּ֣יִם
and behold waters
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
#7
יֹצְאִ֗ים
issued out
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#8
מִתַּ֨חַת
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
#9
מִפְתַּ֤ן
from under the threshold
a stretcher, i.e., a sill
#10
הַבַּ֙יִת֙
of the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#11
קָדִ֑ים
eastward
the fore or front part; hence (by orientation) the east (often adverbially, eastward, for brevity the east wind)
#12
כִּֽי
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#13
פְנֵ֥י
for the forefront
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#14
הַבַּ֙יִת֙
of the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#15
קָדִ֑ים
eastward
the fore or front part; hence (by orientation) the east (often adverbially, eastward, for brevity the east wind)
#16
וְהַמַּ֣יִם
and behold waters
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
#17
יֹרְדִ֗ים
came down
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
#18
מִתַּ֜חַת
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
#19
מִכֶּ֤תֶף
side
the shoulder (proper, i.e., upper end of the arm; as being the spot where the garments hang); figuratively, side-piece or lateral projection of anythi
#20
הַבַּ֙יִת֙
of the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#21
הַיְמָנִ֔ית
from under from the right
right (i.e., at the right hand)
#22
מִנֶּ֖גֶב
at the south
the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)
#23
לַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ׃
side of the altar
an altar

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Ezekiel. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Ezekiel Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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