Ezekiel 12:7

And I did so as I was commanded: I brought forth my stuff by day, as stuff for captivity, and in the even I digged through the wall with mine hand; I brought [it] forth in the twilight, [and] I bare [it] upon [my] shoulder in their sight.

And I did {H6213} so as I was commanded {H6680}: I brought forth {H3318} my stuff {H3627} by day {H3119}, as stuff {H3627} for captivity {H1473}, and in the even {H6153} I digged {H2864} through the wall {H7023} with mine hand {H3027}; I brought it forth {H3318} in the twilight {H5939}, and I bare {H5375} it upon my shoulder {H3802} in their sight {H5869}.

So I did as I had been ordered - I brought out my belongings during the day as supplies for exile, and in the evening I dug a hole through the wall with my hand; then I carried my pack out on my shoulder in the dark as they watched.

So I did as I was commanded. I brought out my bags for exile by day, and in the evening I dug through the wall by hand. I took my belongings out at dusk, carrying them on my shoulder as they watched.

And I did so as I was commanded: I brought forth my stuff by day, as stuff for removing, and in the even I digged through the wall with my hand; I brought it forth in the dark, and bare it upon my shoulder in their sight.

Ezekiel 12:7 describes the prophet Ezekiel's obedient execution of a dramatic, symbolic act commanded by God. This specific verse details the performance of the sign, which visually communicated the impending exile of Judah and the specific fate of King Zedekiah.

Context

This verse is part of a larger prophetic sign-act initiated in Ezekiel 12:1-6. God commanded Ezekiel to prepare "stuff for captivity" (his exile baggage) during the day and, crucially, to dig through a wall at dusk to carry it out in the twilight, all in the sight of the people. This entire performance was a vivid, living parable for the "rebellious house" of Israel, demonstrating what was soon to befall Jerusalem and its king during the Babylonian invasion.

Key Themes

  • Prophetic Sign-Act: God often used His prophets not only to speak His word but also to physically embody it, making the message undeniable and impactful. Ezekiel's actions served as a powerful visual sermon to a hardened people.
  • Impending Judgment and Exile: The "stuff for captivity" clearly symbolized the forced displacement and suffering that the people of Judah would experience during the Babylonian invasion. It was a direct warning of the coming exile.
  • Foreshadowing King Zedekiah's Escape and Capture: The most striking element of this verse—digging through the wall and carrying possessions out in twilight—directly foreshadowed the desperate, clandestine attempt of King Zedekiah to escape Jerusalem through a breach in the wall at night, only to be captured in the plains of Jericho. This tragic historical event is recorded in Jeremiah 52:7-11 and 2 Kings 25:4-7.
  • God's Unveiling of His Plan: Despite the people's rebellion, God provided ample warning through His prophet, revealing His sovereign control over historical events, even those involving judgment.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "stuff for captivity" (Hebrew: כְּלֵי גוֹלָה, k’lei golah) literally means "vessels/articles of exile," emphasizing the meager belongings one would take when forcibly removed from their home. The term "twilight" (Hebrew: נֶשֶׁף, nesheph) refers to the dim light at dusk, the ideal time for a clandestine departure, highlighting the secrecy and desperation of the king's impending flight from Jerusalem.

Practical Application

Ezekiel's obedience in performing such a demanding and public sign-act reminds us of the importance of faithfulness in delivering God's message, even when it is unpopular or difficult. For us, this verse underscores that God communicates His warnings clearly, often through diverse means, to prompt repentance and preparedness. It serves as a powerful reminder that disobedience has consequences, and God's word, though sometimes delivered symbolically, is always true and will come to pass. We are called to heed God's warnings and discern His will, not just through words, but through the signs He provides in our lives and in the world.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Ezekiel 24:18

    So I spake unto the people in the morning: and at even my wife died; and I did in the morning as I was commanded.

  • Ezekiel 37:7

    So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone.

  • Ezekiel 37:10

    So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.

  • Ezekiel 12:3

    Therefore, thou son of man, prepare thee stuff for removing, and remove by day in their sight; and thou shalt remove from thy place to another place in their sight: it may be they will consider, though they [be] a rebellious house.

  • Jeremiah 32:8

    So Hanameel mine uncle's son came to me in the court of the prison according to the word of the LORD, and said unto me, Buy my field, I pray thee, that [is] in Anathoth, which [is] in the country of Benjamin: for the right of inheritance [is] thine, and the redemption [is] thine; buy [it] for thyself. Then I knew that this [was] the word of the LORD.

  • Jeremiah 32:12

    And I gave the evidence of the purchase unto Baruch the son of Neriah, the son of Maaseiah, in the sight of Hanameel mine uncle's [son], and in the presence of the witnesses that subscribed the book of the purchase, before all the Jews that sat in the court of the prison.

  • Matthew 21:6

    And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,

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