Ezekiel 8:5

Authorized King James Version

Then said he unto me, Son of man, lift up thine eyes now the way toward the north. So I lifted up mine eyes the way toward the north, and behold northward at the gate of the altar this image of jealousy in the entry.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
Then said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
אֵלַ֔י
near, with or among; often in general, to
#3
בֶּן
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
#4
אָדָ֕ם
of man
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
#5
וָאֶשָּׂ֤א
So I lifted up
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
#6
נָ֥א
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
#7
עֵינַי֙
mine eyes
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
#8
דֶּ֣רֶךְ
now the way
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
#9
מִצָּפוֹן֙
and behold northward
properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)
#10
וָאֶשָּׂ֤א
So I lifted up
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
#11
עֵינַי֙
mine eyes
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
#12
דֶּ֣רֶךְ
now the way
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
#13
מִצָּפוֹן֙
and behold northward
properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)
#14
וְהִנֵּ֤ה
lo!
#15
מִצָּפוֹן֙
and behold northward
properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)
#16
לְשַׁ֣עַר
at the gate
an opening, i.e., door or gate
#17
הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ
of the altar
an altar
#18
סֵ֛מֶל
this image
a likeness
#19
הַקִּנְאָ֥ה
of jealousy
jealousy or envy
#20
הַזֶּ֖ה
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#21
בַּבִּאָֽה׃
in the entry
an entrance to a building

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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