Ezekiel 8:12

Authorized King James Version

Then said he unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery? for they say, The LORD seeth us not; the LORD hath forsaken the earth.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אֹמְרִ֗ים
H559
Then said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
אֵלַי֮
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#3
רֹאֶ֣ה
H7200
hast thou seen
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#4
בֶן
H1121
he unto me Son
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
אָדָם֒
H120
of man
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
#6
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#7
זִקְנֵ֤י
H2205
what the ancients
old
#8
בֵֽית
H1004
of the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#9
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
H3478
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#10
עֹשִׂ֣ים
H6213
do
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#11
בַּחֹ֔שֶׁךְ
H2822
in the dark
the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness
#12
אִ֖ישׁ
H376
every man
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#13
בְּחַדְרֵ֣י
H2315
in the chambers
an apartment (usually literal)
#14
מַשְׂכִּית֑וֹ
H4906
of his imagery
a figure (carved on stone, the wall, or any object); figuratively, imagination
#15
כִּ֣י
H3588
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#16
אֹמְרִ֗ים
H559
Then said
to say (used with great latitude)
#17
אֵ֤ין
H369
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
#18
יְהוָ֖ה
H3068
The LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#19
רֹאֶ֣ה
H7200
hast thou seen
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#20
אֹתָ֔נוּ
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#21
עָזַ֥ב
H5800
hath forsaken
to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc
#22
יְהוָ֖ה
H3068
The LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#23
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#24
הָאָֽרֶץ׃
H776
the earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

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 sovereignty 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 sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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