Ezekiel 9:4

Authorized King James Version

And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
יְהוָה֙
And the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#3
אֵלָ֔ו
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
עֲבֹר֙
unto him Go through
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
#5
בְּתוֹכָֽהּ׃
in the midst
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
#6
הָעִ֔יר
of the city
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#7
בְּתוֹכָֽהּ׃
in the midst
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
#8
יְרֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם
of Jerusalem
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
#9
וְהִתְוִ֨יתָ
and set
to mark out, i.e., (primitive) scratch or (definite) imprint
#10
תָּ֜ו
a mark
a mark; by implication, a signature
#11
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#12
מִצְח֣וֹת
upon the foreheads
the forehead (as open and prominent)
#13
הָאֲנָשִׁ֗ים
of the men
properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
#14
הַנֶּֽאֱנָחִים֙
that sigh
to sigh
#15
וְהַנֶּ֣אֱנָקִ֔ים
and that cry
to shriek
#16
עַ֚ל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#17
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#18
הַתּ֣וֹעֵב֔וֹת
for all the abominations
properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e., (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol
#19
הַֽנַּעֲשׂ֖וֹת
that be done
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#20
בְּתוֹכָֽהּ׃
in the midst
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

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 historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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