Ezekiel 12:15-25

15 et scient quia ego Dominus quando dispersero illos in gentibus et disseminavero eos in terris

16 et relinquam ex eis viros paucos a gladio et fame et pestilentia ut narrent omnia scelera eorum in gentibus ad quas ingredientur et scient quia ego Dominus

17 et factus est sermo Domini ad me dicens

18 fili hominis panem tuum in conturbatione comede sed et aquam tuam in festinatione et maerore bibe

19 et dices ad populum terrae haec dicit Dominus Deus ad eos qui habitant in Hierusalem in terra Israhel panem suum in sollicitudine comedent et aquam suam in desolatione bibent ut desoletur terra a multitudine sua propter iniquitatem omnium qui habitant in ea

20 et civitates quae nunc habitantur desolatae erunt terraque deserta et scietis quia ego Dominus

21 et factus est sermo Domini ad me dicens

22 fili hominis quod est proverbium istud vobis in terra Israhel dicentium in longum differentur dies et peribit omnis visio

23 ideo dic ad eos haec dicit Dominus Deus quiescere faciam proverbium istud neque vulgo dicetur ultra in Israhel et loquere ad eos quod adpropinquaverint dies et sermo omnis visionis

24 non enim erit ultra omnis visio cassa neque divinatio ambigua in medio filiorum Israhel

25 quia ego Dominus loquar quodcumque locutus fuero verbum et fiet non prolongabitur amplius sed in diebus vestris domus exasperans loquar verbum et faciam illud dicit Dominus Deus

Ezekiel 12:15-25 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EZEKIEL 12

In this chapter, under the sign of the prophet's removing household goods, is represented the removal of the king of Judah and his people from their own land into captivity; and under another sign, of the prophet's eating and drinking with quaking, and trembling, and carefulness, is set forth, either the famine that should be during the siege of Jerusalem, or the desolations following the taking of it; and the chapter is concluded with a reproof of the Jews flattering themselves that these prophecies respected times a great way off, and therefore hoped they would never be accomplished. The preface to the first sign is in Eze 12:1,2; which describes the people of the Jews as rebellious, and given up to judicial blindness and hardness; and suggests the cause of all their calamities: the order to prepare goods for removing, to show to the people; for digging a wall; carrying the stuff out in their sight, on his shoulders, at twilight; and covering his face when he did it, is in Eze 12:3-6; the execution of this order, which is declared in part for the whole, is in Eze 12:7; then follows the explication of this sign, Eze 12:8-11; and the application of it, first to King Zedekiah, in whom should be fulfilled several of the particulars mentioned, Eze 12:12,13; and to the people about him, and his army that should be scattered and fall by the sword, Eze 12:14; the end of which should be, that the Lord should be known, his power, truth, and righteousness, by a few that should escape the famine, pestilence, and sword, Eze 12:15,16. The second sign, with the explication and application of it, is in Eze 12:17-20; and the chapter is closed with a reproof of the Jews; the proverbial expression they used, and which the Lord resented, is cited Eze 12:21,22; and the prophet is bid to assure them that it should cease, or there should be no room for it; and also every vain vision and flattering divination, Eze 12:23,24; and that the word of the Lord should not be prolonged, but should quickly and certainly be accomplished; and that their hopes of the contrary were in vain, Eze 12:25-28.