Ezekiel 12:3

3 Thou, therefore, O son of man, prepare thee all necessaries for removing, and remove by day into their sight: and thou shalt remove out of thy place to another place in their sight, if so be they will regard it: for they are a provoking house.

Ezekiel 12:3 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 12:3

Therefore, thou son of man, prepare thee stuff for removing,
&c.] Or, "vessels of captivity" ^F19, such as persons take along with them when they go a journey, or into a far country; such as a staff, scrip, purse, shoes or household goods; such as tables, chairs, and the like, which are removed when a person goes from one house to another; by which sign they of the captivity were to be taught that Zedekiah and the people of the Jews should in like manner be carried captive into Babylon; which they were not willing to believe, and the false prophets had told them the contrary: and remove by day in their sight;
be carrying the stuff out, day by day, several days running, as Jarchi from Menachem interprets it; that they may see and take notice of it, and ask the reason of it; which, when known, they might send to their correspondents at Jerusalem, and acquaint them with it: and thou shall remove from thy place to another place in their sight;
from the house in which he dwelt, to another house at some distance; yet so as to be seen by them, both from whence and whither he moved: it may be they will consider;
or "see" ^F20; make use of their eyes, and of their understandings, and think better of things. The Targum is,

``perhaps they will fear;''

the Lord, and regard his prophets, and be afraid of his judgments: though they [be] a rebellious house;
such who are the most obstinate may be reclaimed.

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FOOTNOTES:

F19 (hlwg ylk) "vasa transmigrationis", Pagninus, Montanus, Starckius; "instrumenta migrationis", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Polanus.
F20 (wary ylwa) "fortasse visuri sunt", Junius & Tremellius, Polanus; "fortasse videbunt", Piscator, Starckius.

Ezekiel 12:3 In-Context

1 And the word of the Lord came to me, saying:

2 Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a provoking house: who have eyes to see, and see not: and ears to hear, and hear not: for they are a provoking house.

3 Thou, therefore, O son of man, prepare thee all necessaries for removing, and remove by day into their sight: and thou shalt remove out of thy place to another place in their sight, if so be they will regard it: for they are a provoking house.

4 And thou shalt bring forth thy furniture as the furniture of one that is removing by day in their sight: and thou shalt go forth in the evening in their presence, as one goeth forth that removeth his dwelling.

5 Dig thee a way through the wall before their eyes: and thou shalt go forth through it.