כִּֽי־קָרֹ֣וב יֹ֔ום וְקָרֹ֥וב יֹ֖ום לַֽיהוָ֑ה יֹ֣ום עָנָ֔ן עֵ֥ת גֹּויִ֖ם יִֽהְיֶֽה׃
Contextual Introduction
Ezekiel 30:3 comes within a prophetic oracle against Mitsrayim (Egypt), where YHWH speaks of an impending judgment not only upon Egypt but on all surrounding nations. This verse forms the crescendo of the opening movement of Ezekiel 30 and functions as a theologically charged proclamation of the Day of YHWH. The phraseology is dense, poetic, and structured to evoke awe and dread. From a linguistic perspective, the verse is a treasure trove of temporal markers, ellipsis, repetition, and eschatological syntax.
Grammatical Focus: Temporal Proximity, Nominal Syntax, and Elliptical Constructions
Ezekiel 30:3 includes the following notable grammatical features:
1. כִּֽי־קָרֹ֣וב יֹ֔ום – Temporal Clarity with Nominal Clauses
The clause כִּֽי־קָרֹ֣וב יֹ֔ום (“For near is the day”) is a verbless nominal clause that relies on word order and context for interpretation. כִּֽי introduces causation or emphasis. The adjective קָרֹ֣וב (“near”) precedes the noun יֹ֔ום (“day”), making proximity the thematic fronting. This construction emphasizes the nearness of a significant time, often used in apocalyptic or judgment contexts (cf. Joel 1:15, Obad 1:15).
2. וְקָרֹ֥וב יֹ֖ום לַֽיהוָ֑ה – Repetition and Expansion
The second clause repeats the structure of the first with two additions:
– The coordinating וְ (and) links it to the previous clause.
– The prepositional phrase לַֽיהוָ֑ה (“to YHWH”) clarifies ownership or source of the day.
This repetition reinforces the urgency and the eschatological ownership—this is YHWH’s Day, not merely a generic day of disaster.
3. יֹ֣ום עָנָ֔ן – Poetic Compression
This phrase translates literally as “a day of cloud.” It is a tightly compressed construct chain (noun + noun), with יֹ֣ום in construct and עָנָ֔ן as the genitive. This evokes imagery of darkness, obscurity, and divine presence or judgment (cf. Joel 2:2, Zeph 1:15). The noun-noun structure without an explicit verb contributes to the verse’s rapid, solemn rhythm.
4. עֵ֥ת גֹּויִ֖ם יִֽהְיֶֽה – Temporal Predicate and Qal Imperfect
The final clause introduces a time expression: עֵ֥ת גֹּויִ֖ם (“a time of nations”). עֵת is a noun for “time,” followed by a construct genitive גֹּויִ֖ם (“nations”). The verb יִֽהְיֶֽה (Qal imperfect 3ms of הָיָה, “to be”) serves as the predicate: “it will be a time of nations.” This may indicate either judgment upon the nations or a time belonging to the nations, depending on context and interpretation.
Exegetical and Theological Implications
The verse’s structure mirrors its message: compressed, urgent, and ominous. The repetition of קָרֹ֣וב underscores the imminence of divine action. The phrase יֹ֣ום לַֽיהוָ֑ה connects Ezekiel to a broader prophetic tradition—the Day of YHWH, understood as a day of reckoning (see Amos 5:18–20; Isaiah 13:6–9).
יֹ֣ום עָנָ֔ן invokes Exodus imagery (Exod 19:9), where cloud signified divine presence, but here it connotes dread. Theologically, the “cloud” becomes an eschatological veil: judgment is imminent but its details are obscured.
עֵ֥ת גֹּויִ֖ם suggests a reversal of roles: nations that once dominated Israel now face their appointed time. The use of the imperfect יִֽהְיֶֽה allows for eschatological openness—it shall be, but how and when is left to divine prerogative.
Ancient Versions and Linguistic Parallels
The Septuagint renders: “ὅτι ἐγγὺς ἡμέρα κυρίου· ἡμέρα νεφέλης, καιρὸς ἐθνῶν ἔσται.” This aligns well with the Hebrew:
– ἐγγὺς = קָרֹ֣וב
– ἡμέρα νεφέλης = יֹ֣ום עָנָ֔ן
– καιρὸς ἐθνῶν = עֵ֥ת גֹּויִ֖ם
The Vulgate similarly maintains the structure: “quia iuxta est dies Domini dies nubis tempus gentium erit.” The rendering tempus gentium erit reflects the Hebrew imperfect יִֽהְיֶֽה, preserving both the future sense and the gentilic reference.
Comparatively, later Rabbinic Hebrew tends to use more explicit temporal markers and less elliptical clause structure, which suggests the stylized nature of this prophetic register in classical Biblical Hebrew.
Clouds over the Nations: Syntax at the Edge of Apocalypse
Ezekiel 30:3 is syntactically terse yet theologically vast. With verbless clauses, emphatic adjectives, poetic constructs, and a carefully placed imperfect, the verse conveys the dramatic imminence of divine intervention. The grammatical forms embody the prophetic tone—unsettled, forward-looking, and reverberating with judgment. In this way, grammar becomes eschatology’s herald: every phrase is a thunderclap announcing the coming storm.
