Ezekiel 5:10

Authorized King James Version

Therefore the fathers shall eat the sons in the midst of thee, and the sons shall eat their fathers; and I will execute judgments in thee, and the whole remnant of thee will I scatter into all the winds.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
לָכֵ֗ן
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
#2
אֲבוֹתָ֑ם
H1
Therefore the fathers
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#3
יֹאכְל֣וּ
shall eat
to eat (literally or figuratively)
#4
וּבָנִ֖ים
of thee and 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
#5
בְּתוֹכֵ֔ךְ
in the midst
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
#6
וּבָנִ֖ים
of thee and 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
#7
יֹאכְל֣וּ
shall eat
to eat (literally or figuratively)
#8
אֲבוֹתָ֑ם
H1
Therefore the fathers
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#9
וְעָשִׂ֤יתִי
and I will execute
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#10
בָךְ֙
H0
#11
שְׁפָטִ֔ים
judgments
a sentence, i.e., infliction
#12
וְזֵרִיתִ֥י
of thee will I scatter
to toss about; by implication, to diffuse, winnow
#13
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#14
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#15
שְׁאֵרִיתֵ֖ךְ
in thee and the whole remnant
a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion
#16
לְכָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#17
רֽוּחַ׃
into all the winds
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

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

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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