Ezekiel 48:11

Authorized King James Version

It shall be for the priests that are sanctified of the sons of Zadok; which have kept my charge, which went not astray when the children of Israel went astray, as the Levites went astray.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
לַכֹּהֲנִ֤ים
It shall be for the priests
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
#2
הַֽמְקֻדָּשׁ֙
that are sanctified
to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)
#3
בְּנֵ֣י
of the sons
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#4
צָד֔וֹק
of Zadok
tsadok, the name of eight or nine israelites
#5
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#6
שָׁמְר֖וּ
which have kept
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
#7
מִשְׁמַרְתִּ֑י
my charge
watch, i.e., the act (custody), or (concretely) the sentry, the post; objectively preservation, or (concretely) safe; figuratively observance, i.e., (
#8
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#9
לֹֽא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#10
תָּע֖וּ
went astray
to vacillate, i.e., reel or stray (literally or figuratively); also causative of both
#11
תָּע֖וּ
went astray
to vacillate, i.e., reel or stray (literally or figuratively); also causative of both
#12
בְּנֵ֣י
of the sons
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#13
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#14
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#15
תָּע֖וּ
went astray
to vacillate, i.e., reel or stray (literally or figuratively); also causative of both
#16
הַלְוִיִּֽם׃
as the Levites
a levite or descendant of levi

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

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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