Ezekiel 9:5

Authorized King James Version

And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וּלְאֵ֙לֶּה֙
And to the others
these or those
#2
אָמַ֣ר
he said
to say (used with great latitude)
#3
בְּאָזְנַ֔י
in mine hearing
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
#4
עִבְר֥וּ
Go
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
#5
בָעִ֛יר
him through the city
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#6
אַחֲרָ֖יו
ye after
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
#7
וְהַכּ֑וּ
and smite
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
#8
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#9
תָּחֹ֥ס
spare
properly, to cover, i.e., (figuratively) to compassionate
#10
עֵינְכֶ֖ם
let not your eye
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
#11
וְאַל
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
#12
תַּחְמֹֽלוּ׃
neither have ye pity
to commiserate; by implication, to spare

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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.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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