Ezekiel 9:6

Authorized King James Version

Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
הַזְּקֵנִ֔ים
at the ancient
old
#2
בָּח֣וּר
and young
properly, selected, i.e., a youth (often collective)
#3
וּבְתוּלָה֩
both maids
a virgin (from her privacy); sometimes (by continuation) a bride; also (figuratively) a city or state
#4
וְטַ֨ף
and little children
a family (mostly used collectively in the singular)
#5
וְנָשִׁ֜ים
and women
a woman
#6
תַּהַרְג֣וּ
Slay
to smite with deadly intent
#7
לְמַשְׁחִ֗ית
utterly
destructive, i.e., (as noun) destruction, literally (specifically a snare) or figuratively (corruption)
#8
וְעַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#9
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#10
בָּאֲנָשִׁ֣ים
any 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)
#11
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#12
עָלָ֤יו
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#13
הַתָּו֙
upon whom is the mark
a mark; by implication, a signature
#14
אַל
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
#15
תִּגַּ֔שׁוּ
but come not near
to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causati
#16
וּמִמִּקְדָּשִׁ֖י
at my sanctuary
a consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary (whether of jehovah or of idols) or asylum
#17
וַיָּחֵ֙לּוּ֙
Then they began
properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin
#18
וַיָּחֵ֙לּוּ֙
Then they began
properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin
#19
בָּאֲנָשִׁ֣ים
any 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)
#20
הַזְּקֵנִ֔ים
at the ancient
old
#21
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#22
לִפְנֵ֥י
which were before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#23
הַבָּֽיִת׃
the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

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

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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