Ezekiel 17:12

KJV

Say now to the rebellious house, Know ye not what these [things mean]? tell [them], Behold, the king of Babylon is come to Jerusalem, and hath taken the king thereof, and the princes thereof, and led them with him to Babylon;

KJV (with Strong's)

Say {H559} now to the rebellious {H4805} house {H1004}, Know {H3045} ye not what these things mean? tell {H559} them, Behold, the king {H4428} of Babylon {H894} is come {H935} to Jerusalem {H3389}, and hath taken {H3947} the king {H4428} thereof, and the princes {H8269} thereof, and led {H935} them with him to Babylon {H894};

Complete Jewish Bible

"Say to the rebellious house: 'Don't you know what these things mean?' Tell them: 'Here, the king of Bavel came to Yerushalayim, took its king and princes and brought them to himself in Bavel.

Berean Standard Bible

“Now say to this rebellious house: ‘Do you not know what these things mean?’ Tell them, ‘Behold, the king of Babylon came to Jerusalem, carried off its king and officials, and brought them back with him to Babylon.

American Standard Version

Say now to the rebellious house, Know ye not what these things mean? tell them, Behold, the king of Babylon came to Jerusalem, and took the king thereof, and the princes thereof, and brought them to him to Babylon.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 17:12 serves as God’s direct, authoritative interpretation of the intricate parable of the two eagles and the vine presented in the preceding verses. Addressing the persistently disobedient "rebellious house" of Israel, this verse unequivocally unveils the historical reality behind the symbolism, identifying the "king of Babylon" as the agent of divine judgment. It explicitly details Nebuchadnezzar's siege of Jerusalem, his capture of King Jehoiachin and the city's leading officials, and their subsequent forced deportation to Babylon, thereby clarifying the immediate and severe consequences of Judah's chronic unfaithfulness and political maneuvering.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 17:12 functions as the crucial interpretive key to the elaborate and symbolic parable found in [Ezekiel 17:1-10](/ezekiel/17-1-10 "Ezekiel 17:1-10 - The Parable of the Eagles and the Vine"). The parable itself describes a great eagle (representing Babylon) coming to Lebanon (symbolizing Jerusalem), taking a prominent cedar branch (King Jehoiachin), and planting it in a land of merchants (Babylon). It then introduces another great eagle (representing Egypt), to which a vine (symbolizing King Zedekiah and the remaining inhabitants of Judah) turns for help, contrary to its original oath of loyalty. The parable concludes with a pronouncement of divine judgment upon the unfaithful vine. Verse 12 directly removes any ambiguity, providing a straightforward, divine explanation of each symbolic element. This explicit interpretation is characteristic of Ezekiel's prophetic style, where complex visions or parables are frequently followed by clear divine explanations, ensuring the audience, especially the exiles who might have been confused or in denial, fully grasped the gravity and divine origin of their predicament. This interpretive pattern is also evident in other significant visions, such as the valley of dry bones in [Ezekiel 37](/ezekiel/37 "Ezekiel 37 - The Valley of Dry Bones").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This verse directly addresses the tumultuous historical period of Judah's subjugation to the burgeoning Neo-Babylonian Empire. The "king of Babylon" is unequivocally Nebuchadnezzar II, who had already established his dominance over Judah. The specific event referenced is the first major deportation of Jerusalem's elite, which occurred in 597 BC. Following a siege, Nebuchadnezzar captured King Jehoiachin (the "king thereof"), along with his family, court officials, skilled craftsmen, and a significant portion of the city's prominent citizens, including the prophet Ezekiel himself. These individuals were forcibly relocated to Babylon, marking a profound and traumatic shift in the political and religious landscape of Judah. This act was not merely a military conquest but was understood by the prophets as a divinely ordained judgment, fulfilling earlier prophetic warnings against Judah's idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness, as articulated by figures like Jeremiah (e.g., [Jeremiah 25:8-11](/jeremiah/25-8-11 "Jeremiah 25:8-11 - Seventy Years of Babylonian Captivity")). The cultural context highlights the common practice of ancient Near Eastern empires, particularly the Neo-Babylonians, to deport conquered populations to prevent rebellion, dismantle local power structures, and integrate skilled labor into their own territories, a strategy Nebuchadnezzar effectively employed to consolidate his empire.

* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 17:12 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Ezekiel and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Clarity and Unveiling Truth**. God, through Ezekiel, leaves no room for misunderstanding or denial regarding the meaning of the parable and the reasons for Judah's suffering. This direct interpretation emphasizes God's desire for His people to recognize His sovereign hand in their history and the direct consequences of their actions. Secondly, the repeated designation of Israel as the "**rebellious house**" (Hebrew: *bet hammeri*) highlights the pervasive theme of the **Consequences of Rebellion**. This phrase, a hallmark of Ezekiel's prophecy (e.g., [Ezekiel 2:3-8](/ezekiel/2-3-8 "Ezekiel 2:3-8 - Ezekiel's Commission to a Rebellious House")), indicts Judah's persistent and stubborn disobedience against God's covenant commands, directly linking their unfaithfulness to the severe judgment of exile. Thirdly, the verse reinforces **God's Sovereignty in Judgment**. While Nebuchadnezzar is the human agent, the divine command "Say now" and the explicit interpretation confirm that God is the ultimate orchestrator of these events, demonstrating His absolute control over nations and history, even in bringing about judgment upon His own people. Finally, it vividly portrays the **Reality of Exile**, not as a random misfortune but as a direct, divinely permitted punishment that profoundly reshaped the future of the Jewish nation and served as a stark reminder of the broken covenant.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **rebellious (Hebrew, _mᵉrîy'_):** Derived from a root meaning "bitter," this term figuratively denotes "rebellion" or "bitterness" in the sense of stubborn defiance. When applied to the "house" of Israel (H1004), it characterizes their consistent and deep-seated refusal to obey God's commands and heed His prophetic warnings, highlighting a deliberate and persistent opposition to divine will, leading to bitter consequences.
* **house (Hebrew, _bayith'_):** While literally meaning a physical dwelling, in this context, "house" signifies the "house of Israel" or "house of Judah," representing the entire nation, its people, and its lineage. Coupled with "rebellious" (H4805), it emphasizes that the rebellion was not isolated to a few individuals but was a pervasive characteristic of the collective national identity, indicating a corporate failure.
* **Know (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** This primitive root means "to know" in a comprehensive sense, encompassing intellectual understanding, experiential knowledge, recognition, and even intimate acquaintance. The rhetorical question "Know ye not?" implies not merely a lack of information but a willful ignorance or a deliberate refusal to acknowledge obvious truths and the divine hand at work, despite clear signs and prophetic warnings. It suggests a culpable failure to discern and accept reality.
* **taken (Hebrew, _lâqach'_):** A versatile root meaning "to take" in a wide variety of applications, including seizing, receiving, or carrying away. Here, it vividly describes Nebuchadnezzar's forceful act of capturing King Jehoiachin and the princes, underscoring the powerlessness of Judah in the face of divine judgment and Babylonian might. It signifies a complete removal and appropriation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Say now to the rebellious house, Know ye not what these [things mean]?"**: This opening command from God to Ezekiel establishes a direct, confrontational tone. The "rebellious house" is a recurring epithet for Israel, emphasizing their stubborn and consistent disobedience against God's covenant. The rhetorical question is not asked out of genuine ignorance on God's part, but to highlight their willful blindness and culpability, challenging them to acknowledge the obvious meaning of the preceding parable and the historical events it represents. It implies that the truth was evident, yet they chose to ignore it.
* **"tell [them], Behold, the king of Babylon is come to Jerusalem,"**: Ezekiel is commanded to explicitly declare the identity of the first eagle and its action. "Behold" (or "Look!") signals a dramatic and undeniable truth, drawing immediate attention to the unfolding reality. The arrival of the "king of Babylon" (Nebuchadnezzar) in Jerusalem is presented as a concrete, historical fact, directly linking the symbolic narrative to the grim, real-world events that had already transpired or were imminent. This declaration removes all pretense of misunderstanding.
* **"and hath taken the king thereof, and the princes thereof,"**: This clause reveals the specific outcome of Babylon's invasion and siege. The "king thereof" refers to King Jehoiachin, and "the princes thereof" denote the leading officials, nobility, and skilled craftsmen of Judah. The act of "taking" them signifies their capture, removal from power, and the dismantling of Judah's leadership, fulfilling the parable's imagery of the eagle carrying away the top of the cedar. This was a strategic move by Babylon to neutralize potential rebellion.
* **"and led them with him to Babylon;"**: The final clause details the destination and the profound consequence: forced exile. This clarifies the "land of merchants" from the parable, confirming that the captured elite were deported to Babylon. This act was a strategic move by Nebuchadnezzar to neutralize potential rebellion and integrate the conquered population into his empire, but from God's perspective, it was the execution of divine judgment for Judah's persistent rebellion and a significant step in the fulfillment of prophetic warnings.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 17:12 primarily functions as **Interpretation**, serving as an explicit divine key to unlock the preceding **Allegory** (the parable of the two eagles and the vine). This direct explanation removes all ambiguity, ensuring the audience grasps the precise prophetic message without misinterpretation or denial. The phrase "Know ye not what these [things mean]?" functions as a powerful **Rhetorical Question**, not genuinely seeking information but challenging the audience's willful ignorance, self-deception, and culpable failure to acknowledge the obvious consequences of their actions and God's hand in them. The verse also employs **Direct Address** ("Say now to the rebellious house"), creating a sense of immediacy and confrontation, emphasizing God's personal engagement with His disobedient people and the direct nature of His message. Furthermore, the stark declaration, "Behold, the king of Babylon is come to Jerusalem," acts as a **Dramatic Announcement**, highlighting the undeniable reality and severity of the judgment that has unfolded or is unfolding, demanding attention and recognition of divine sovereignty.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 17:12 profoundly illustrates the principle of divine accountability and the inevitable consequences of covenant unfaithfulness. God, as the sovereign Lord of history, uses earthly powers to execute His righteous judgments, even upon His chosen people when they persist in rebellion. This verse underscores that God's warnings are not empty threats but come with real, tangible repercussions. The exile was not a random misfortune but a direct, divinely orchestrated consequence of Judah's idolatry, political maneuvering, and refusal to heed prophetic counsel. It reveals God's commitment to His covenant, which includes both blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, demonstrating His justice and His unwavering purpose to purify His people, even through severe discipline. The clarity of this interpretation leaves no room for excuses, emphasizing God's desire for His people to understand His ways and repent.

* [Deuteronomy 28:49-50](/deuteronomy/28-49-50 "Deuteronomy 28:49-50 - Prophecy of Foreign Invasion and Devastation")
* [Isaiah 39:6-7](/isaiah/39-6-7 "Isaiah 39:6-7 - Prophecy of Babylonian Exile and Desolation")
* [Lamentations 1:3](/lamentations/1-3 "Lamentations 1:3 - Judah's Exile and Deep Suffering")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 17:12 serves as a stark reminder that God communicates His truth and warnings with profound clarity, leaving no room for genuine ignorance. The "rebellious house" of Israel was condemned not for a lack of information, but for a willful refusal to acknowledge and act upon the truth that was plainly before them. For us today, this verse challenges us to examine our own hearts: are we truly listening to God's Word, or are we, like ancient Judah, prone to spiritual deafness and self-deception, ignoring the clear implications of His commands and promises in our lives? God's justice is unwavering, and while we live under a new covenant of grace, the principles of sowing and reaping, and the consequences of persistent rebellion against divine truth, remain profoundly relevant. This passage calls for genuine introspection, urging us to respond to God's clear communication with humility, repentance, and obedience, rather than stubborn defiance. It compels us to ask if we are truly willing to "know" and act on what God has revealed, or if we prefer to remain in comfortable ignorance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be acting like the "rebellious house," ignoring clear warnings or truths from God's Word or the promptings of the Holy Spirit?**
* **How does understanding God's sovereignty over historical events, even those involving judgment and hardship, shape my view of current global or personal challenges?**
* **What specific actions can I take to cultivate a heart that is more receptive to God's communication and less prone to willful ignorance or self-deception?**

### FAQ
**What was the parable of the two eagles and the vine about, which Ezekiel 17:12 interprets?**

Answer: The parable in [Ezekiel 17:1-10](/ezekiel/17-1-10 "Ezekiel 17:1-10 - The Parable of the Eagles and the Vine") is a complex allegory illustrating Judah's precarious political situation and its relationship with the dominant empires of Babylon and Egypt. The "great eagle with great wings" (the first eagle) represents King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. The "highest branch of the cedar" that the eagle takes represents King Jehoiachin of Judah, who was deported to Babylon. The "seed of the land" that the eagle plants represents Zedekiah, whom Nebuchadnezzar made king in Jerusalem, establishing him as a vassal. The "other great eagle" represents Pharaoh Hophra of Egypt. The "vine" that turns its roots and branches towards the second eagle symbolizes King Zedekiah and Judah seeking military alliance with Egypt, thereby breaking their solemn oath of loyalty to Babylon. The parable foreshadows God's severe judgment on Judah for this rebellion and oath-breaking, which ultimately led to Jerusalem's final destruction.

**Who was the "king thereof" and "princes thereof" mentioned in the verse?**

Answer: The "king thereof" refers specifically to King Jehoiachin of Judah. He reigned for only three months and ten days before Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem and took him captive. The "princes thereof" refers to the leading officials, nobility, skilled craftsmen, and other prominent citizens of Jerusalem who were also deported along with Jehoiachin during the first major Babylonian exile in 597 BC. This event is a significant historical marker in the Old Testament narrative, detailing the initial phase of Judah's subjugation, and is recounted in passages like [2 Kings 24:10-16](/2_kings/24-10-16 "2 Kings 24:10-16 - Jehoiachin's Capture and First Deportation").

**Why is Israel repeatedly called the "rebellious house" in Ezekiel?**

Answer: The term "rebellious house" (Hebrew: *bet hammeri*) is a recurring and defining motif throughout the book of Ezekiel, emphasizing the persistent and ingrained disobedience of the people of Israel and Judah. It signifies their stubborn refusal to obey God's covenant commands, their pervasive idolatry, their rejection of prophetic warnings, and their general defiance against divine authority. This designation highlights that their suffering and eventual exile were not arbitrary or random misfortunes but a direct, just consequence of their sustained unfaithfulness and spiritual rebellion against the Lord, as powerfully conveyed in Ezekiel's commission in [Ezekiel 2:3-8](/ezekiel/2-3-8 "Ezekiel 2:3-8 - Ezekiel's Commission to a Rebellious House").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 17:12, with its stark depiction of divine judgment upon a rebellious house and the exile of its earthly king and princes, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment. The "rebellious house" of Israel, representative of all humanity, ultimately demonstrated its rebellion most profoundly in rejecting the true King, Jesus Christ. While earthly kings like Jehoiachin were led into physical exile, humanity's rebellion led to a far deeper spiritual exile from God's presence, a state of spiritual death and alienation. Yet, in Christ, God provides the ultimate "return" from this exile. Jesus, the rightful King of Israel and the world, did not avoid capture and "exile" (His death on the cross) but willingly embraced it, not as a consequence of His own sin, but to bear the judgment for humanity's pervasive rebellion (cf. [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). He is the true "branch" (cf. [Isaiah 11:1](/isaiah/11-1 "Isaiah 11:1 - The Branch from Jesse's Roots") and [Jeremiah 23:5](/jeremiah/23-5 "Jeremiah 23:5 - The Righteous Branch")) who was "cut off from the land of the living" (cf. [Isaiah 53:8](/isaiah/53-8 "Isaiah 53:8 - Suffering Servant Led Away")), but His "exile" in death led to His glorious resurrection, establishing a new and superior covenant (cf. [Hebrews 8:6-13](/hebrews/8-6-13 "Hebrews 8:6-13 - A Superior Covenant Based on Better Promises")) and offering true freedom from the bondage of sin and spiritual death. Through His atoning sacrifice, the "rebellious house" of humanity can be reconciled to God, brought back from spiritual Babylon, and become part of God's new, obedient kingdom, where Christ reigns eternally as King of kings and Lord of lords (cf. [Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdom of the World Becomes the Kingdom of Our Lord")). He is the one who gathers the scattered exiles, not into an earthly city, but into His eternal, heavenly Jerusalem (cf. [Hebrews 12:22-24](/hebrews/12-22-24 "Hebrews 12:22-24 - The Heavenly Jerusalem")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ezekiel 24:19

And the people said unto me, Wilt thou not tell us what these [things are] to us, that thou doest [so]?

Ezekiel 17:3

And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; A great eagle with great wings, longwinged, full of feathers, which had divers colours, came unto Lebanon, and took the highest branch of the cedar:

Ezekiel 1:2

In the fifth [day] of the month, which [was] the fifth year of king Jehoiachin's captivity,

Matthew 15:16

And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?

Matthew 15:17

Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?

Matthew 13:51

Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.

Matthew 16:11

How is it that ye do not understand that I spake [it] not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?