Ezekiel 47:8

Authorized King James Version

Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
Then said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
אֵלַ֗י
near, with or among; often in general, to
#3
הַמָּֽיִם׃
he unto me These waters
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
#4
הָאֵ֙לֶּה֙
these or those
#5
הַמּֽוּצָאִ֖ים
issue out
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#6
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#7
הַגְּלִילָה֙
country
a circuit or region
#8
הַקַּדְמוֹנָ֔ה
toward the east
eastern
#9
וְיָרְד֖וּ
and go 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
#10
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#11
הָֽעֲרָבָ֑ה
into the desert
a desert; especially (with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the jordan and its continuation to the red sea
#12
וּבָ֣אוּ
and go
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#13
הַיָּ֥מָּה
into the sea
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
#14
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#15
הַיָּ֥מָּה
into the sea
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
#16
הַמּֽוּצָאִ֖ים
issue out
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#17
וְנִרְפּ֥אוּ
shall be healed
properly, to mend (by stitching), i.e., (figuratively) to cure
#18
הַמָּֽיִם׃
he unto me These waters
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

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

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