Ezekiel 20:47

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And say to the forest of the south, Hear the word of the LORD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burned therein.

Complete Jewish Bible:

say to the Negev forest: 'Hear the word of ADONAI. Adonai ELOHIM says, "I will light a fire in you; it will devour every tree in you, green and dry alike; a blazing, unquenchable flame that will scorch every face from the Negev to the north.

Berean Standard Bible:

Say to the forest of the Negev: Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Lord GOD says: I am about to ignite in you a fire, and it will devour all your trees, both green and dry. The blazing flame will not be quenched, and by it every face from south to north will be scorched.

American Standard Version:

and say to the forest of the South, Hear the word of Jehovah: Thus saith the Lord Jehovah, Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burnt thereby.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And say^{H559} to the forest^{H3293} of the south^{H5045}, Hear^{H8085} the word^{H1697} of the LORD^{H3068}; Thus saith^{H559} the Lord^{H136} GOD^{H3069}; Behold, I will kindle^{H3341} a fire^{H784} in thee, and it shall devour^{H398} every green^{H3892} tree^{H6086} in thee, and every dry^{H3002} tree^{H6086}: the flaming^{H3852} flame^{H7957} shall not be quenched^{H3518}, and all faces^{H6440} from the south^{H5045} to the north^{H6828} shall be burned^{H6866} therein.

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for Ezekiel 20:47

Ezekiel 20:47 is a part of the prophetic book of Ezekiel, which is set during the Babylonian exile of the Jews in the 6th century BCE. Ezekiel, a prophet and priest, delivers messages from God to the exiled Israelites, often using vivid imagery to convey the severity of God's judgment and the necessity of repentance.

In this particular verse, God commands Ezekiel to speak to "the forest of the south," a metaphor for the people of Judah, the southern kingdom of Israel. The "forest" represents the dense population of people, much like a dense collection of trees. The message is one of impending judgment: God declares that He will kindle a fire within this forest, symbolizing a consuming destruction that will not discriminate between the righteous ("every green tree") and the wicked ("every dry tree"). The fire is described as a "flaming flame" that will be unquenchable, indicating that the coming judgment will be relentless and inescapable. Furthermore, the scope of this judgment is emphasized as encompassing "all faces from the south to the north," suggesting a comprehensive devastation that will affect everyone, regardless of their geographical location or social standing.

The themes present in this verse include divine judgment, the inevitability of consequences for sin, and the universal need for repentance. Historically, this prophecy points to the destruction that would come upon Judah as a result of their disobedience to God's laws and covenant. This was fulfilled in part by the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem in 586 BCE, which led to the destruction of the city, the temple, and the exile of many Jews. Ezekiel's message serves as a warning to the people that their actions have dire consequences, but it also carries a message of hope for restoration and renewal after judgment, which is a recurring theme throughout the book.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: H3293
   There are 58 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יַעַר
   Transliteration: yaʻar
   Pronunciation: yah'-ar
   Description: from an unused root probably meaning to thicken with verdure; a copse of bushes; hence, a forest; hence, honey in the comb (as hived in trees); (honey-) comb, forest, wood.
   
3. Strong's Number: H5045
   There are 98 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נֶגֶב
   Transliteration: negeb
   Pronunciation: neh'-gheb
   Description: from an unused root meaning to be parched; the south (from its drought); specifically, the Negeb or southern district of Judah, occasionally, Egypt (as south to Palestine); south (country, side, -ward).
   
4. Strong's Number: H8085
   There are 1072 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁמַע
   Transliteration: shâmaʻ
   Pronunciation: shaw-mah'
   Description: a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.); [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.
   
5. Strong's Number: H1697
   There are 1290 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָּבָר
   Transliteration: dâbâr
   Pronunciation: daw-baw'
   Description: from דָבַר; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause; act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work.
   
6. Strong's Number: H3068
   There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהֹוָה
   Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
   Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
   Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
   
7. Strong's Number: H136
   There are 910 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֲדֹנָי
   Transliteration: ʼĂdônây
   Pronunciation: ad-o-noy'
   Description: an emphatic form of אָדוֹן; the Lord (used as a proper name of God only); (my) Lord.
   
8. Strong's Number: H3069
   There are 295 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהֹוִה
   Transliteration: Yᵉhôvih
   Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vee'
   Description: a variation of יְהֹוָה (used after אֲדֹנָי, and pronounced by Jews as אֱלֹהִים, in order to prevent the repetition of the same sound, since they elsewhere pronounce יְהֹוָה as אֲדֹנָי); {YHWH}; God.
   
9. Strong's Number: H3341
   There are 28 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָצַת
   Transliteration: yâtsath
   Pronunciation: yaw-tsath'
   Description: a primitive root; to burn or set on fire; figuratively, to desolate; burn (up), be desolate, set (on) fire (fire), kindle.
   
10. Strong's Number: H784
    There are 549 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אֵשׁ
    Transliteration: ʼêsh
    Pronunciation: aysh
    Description: a primitive word; fire (literally or figuratively); burning, fiery, fire, flaming, hot.
    
11. Strong's Number: H398
    There are 825 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אָכַל
    Transliteration: ʼâkal
    Pronunciation: aw-kal'
    Description: a primitive root; to eat (literally or figuratively); [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite.
    
12. Strong's Number: H3892
    There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: לַח
    Transliteration: lach
    Pronunciation: lakh
    Description: from an unused root meaning to be new; fresh, i.e. unused or undried; green, moist.
    
13. Strong's Number: H6086
    There are 288 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עֵץ
    Transliteration: ʻêts
    Pronunciation: ates
    Description: from עָצָה; a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks); [phrase] carpenter, gallows, helve, [phrase] pine, plank, staff, stalk, stick, stock, timber, tree, wood.
    
14. Strong's Number: H3002
    There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יָבֵשׁ
    Transliteration: yâbêsh
    Pronunciation: yaw-bashe'
    Description: from יָבֵשׁ; dry; dried (away), dry.
    
15. Strong's Number: H3852
    There are 19 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: לֶהָבָה
    Transliteration: lehâbâh
    Pronunciation: leh-aw-baw'
    Description: or לַהֶבֶת; feminine of לַהַב, and meaning the same; {a flash; figuratively, a sharply polished blade or point of aweapon}; flame(-ming), head (of a spear).
    
16. Strong's Number: H7957
    There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שַׁלְהֶבֶת
    Transliteration: shalhebeth
    Pronunciation: shal-heh'-beth
    Description: from the same as לַהַב with sibilant prefix; a flare of fire; (flaming) flame.
    
17. Strong's Number: H3518
    There are 24 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: כָּבָה
    Transliteration: kâbâh
    Pronunciation: kaw-baw'
    Description: a primitive root; to expire or (causatively) to extinguish (fire, light, anger); go (put) out, quench.
    
18. Strong's Number: H6440
    There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: פָּנִים
    Transliteration: pânîym
    Pronunciation: paw-neem'
    Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you.
    
19. Strong's Number: H6828
    There are 141 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: צָפוֹן
    Transliteration: tsâphôwn
    Pronunciation: tsaw-fone'
    Description: or צָפֹן; from צָפַן; properly, hidden, i.e. dark; used only of the north as aquarter (gloomy and unknown); north(-ern, side, -ward, wind).
    
20. Strong's Number: H6866
    There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: צָרַב
    Transliteration: tsârab
    Pronunciation: tsaw-rab'
    Description: a primitive root; to burn; burn.