Ezra 2:59

Authorized King James Version

And these were they which went up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsa, Cherub, Addan, and Immer: but they could not shew their father's house, and their seed, whether they were of Israel:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְאֵ֗לֶּה
these or those
#2
הָֽעֹלִים֙
And these were they which went up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#3
מִתֵּ֥ל
H0
#4
מֶ֙לַח֙
from Telmelah
tel-melach, a place in babylonia
#5
תֵּ֣ל
H0
#6
חַרְשָׁ֔א
Telharsa
tel-charsha, a place in babylonia
#7
כְּר֥וּב
Cherub
kerub, a place in babylon
#8
אַדָּ֖ן
Addan
addan, an israelite
#9
אִמֵּ֑ר
and Immer
immer, the name of five israelites
#10
וְלֹ֣א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#11
יָֽכְל֗וּ
but they could
to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
#12
לְהַגִּ֤יד
not shew
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
#13
בֵּית
house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#14
אֲבוֹתָם֙
H1
their father's
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#15
וְזַרְעָ֔ם
and their seed
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
#16
אִ֥ם
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#17
מִיִּשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
whether they were of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#18
הֵֽם׃
they (only used when emphatic)

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Ezra. 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 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 revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection