Ezekiel 12 Study Notes

’Adam, which never occurs in the plural, broadly signifies man (Gn 1:27), encompassing male and female as mankind (Gn 6:1), humanity (Is 5:15), or human being (Ps 39:5). It is a collective indicating individuals (Jb 34:29), mankind (Ps 22:6), or people (Jr 47:2), here translated as the noun humans (Ex 4:11). But it specifies the man (Gn 4:1), a single man in contrast to a woman (Ec 7:28). It denotes one, someone, anyone, or everyone (Pr 17:18; Neh 2:10,12; Zch 11:6) and means person (Lv 6:3). “Son of man” is synonymous with other words for “man” (’iysh, Nm 23:19; ’enosh, Is 51:12; geber, Jb 16:21). “Sons of man” appears as human race (Dt 32:8), men (Ps 45:2), people (Ps 36:7), and descendants of Adam (Ps 90:3). ’Adam often contrasts with animals (Nm 31:26) or God (Is 31:3). “Sons of ’adam” opposes “sons of ’iysh” as low versus high (Ps 49:2).

12:14-15 Some of the people would escape to other countries.

12:16 The statement I will spare a few of them refers to a remnant that will be preserved by the Lord. They will realize their guilt and turn to the Lord in heathen lands (6:8-10). God promised that there would always be a few people who remained loyal to him (Lv 26:42-45; cp. Ex 32:10; Dt 4:30-31).

12:17-20 The phrase because of the violence reflects the rationale for the judgment of the earth by the flood (Gn 6:11,13).

12:21-22 The expression the days keep passing by, and every vision fails reflects the test of true prophecy (Dt 18:20-22). If a prophecy did not come true, the person who made the prediction was a false prophet.

12:23-28 Even King Hezekiah succumbed to the influential reassurances of false prophets (2Kg 20:19). In Ezekiel’s day false prophets opposed the claims of God’s true messengers in Jerusalem (Jr 28:1-4) and Babylon (Jr 29:1,8-9).