Ezekiel 12:7-17

7 feci ergo sicut praeceperat mihi vasa mea protuli quasi vasa transmigrantis per diem et vespere perfodi mihi parietem manu in caligine egressus sum et in umeris portatus in conspectu eorum

8 et factus est sermo Domini ad me mane dicens

9 fili hominis numquid non dixerunt ad te domus Israhel domus exasperans quid tu facis

10 dic ad eos haec dicit Dominus Deus super ducem onus istud qui est in Hierusalem et super omnem domum Israhel quae est in medio eorum

11 dic ego portentum vestrum quomodo feci sic fiet illis in transmigrationem et captivitatem ibunt

12 et dux qui est in medio eorum in umeris portabitur in caligine egredietur parietem perfodient ut educant eum facies eius operietur ut non videat oculo terram

13 et extendam rete meum super illum et capietur in sagena mea et adducam eum in Babylonem in terram Chaldeorum et ipsam non videbit ibique morietur

14 et omnes qui circa eum sunt praesidium eius et agmina eius dispergam in omnem ventum et gladium evaginabo post eos

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

Ezekiel 12:7-17 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.