Ezekiel 17:12

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;

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};

"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.

“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.

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.

Ezekiel 17:12 serves as a direct interpretation of the intricate parable of the two eagles and the vine presented earlier in the chapter (Ezekiel 17:1-10). The prophet Ezekiel is commanded by God to explain the meaning of this symbolic narrative to the "rebellious house" of Israel, specifically the inhabitants of Judah who were still in Jerusalem or those in exile who misunderstood the divine warnings.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse directly addresses the historical events unfolding in Judah during Ezekiel's time. The "king of Babylon" refers to Nebuchadnezzar, the powerful ruler of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. The passage vividly describes the first major deportation of the Jewish people from Jerusalem, which occurred in 597 BC. During this event, Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem, captured King Jehoiachin (referred to as "the king thereof") along with many of the city's princes, skilled craftsmen, and prominent citizens, and led them into exile in Babylon. Ezekiel himself was among these exiles, making his prophecy particularly poignant and immediate. This period marked a significant turning point in Israel's history, fulfilling many prophecies of judgment due to their persistent idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Clarity and Unveiling Truth: God, through Ezekiel, leaves no room for misunderstanding. The parable's symbols are explicitly identified, underscoring God's desire for His people to grasp the reality of their situation and the reasons behind it.
  • Consequences of Rebellion: The phrase "rebellious house" (Hebrew: bet hammeri) is a recurring indictment of Israel's consistent disobedience and defiance against God's commands and warnings. This verse highlights the direct consequence of their actions: subjugation and exile.
  • God's Sovereignty in Judgment: Even though a foreign power (Babylon) is the agent, God is ultimately orchestrating these events as a form of judgment. This demonstrates His control over nations and history, fulfilling His word concerning a disobedient people.
  • The Reality of Exile: The verse confirms the devastating impact of the Babylonian invasion, not as a random misfortune but as a divinely permitted punishment. This event reshaped the future of the Jewish nation. For further understanding of the exile's impact, see Jeremiah 29:10 regarding the seventy years of captivity.

Linguistic Insights

The term "rebellious house" (Hebrew: bet hammeri) is frequently used by Ezekiel to characterize the people of Israel and Judah. It emphasizes their stubbornness, obstinacy, and consistent refusal to obey God's voice, despite repeated warnings from prophets. This persistent rebellion is the underlying reason for the severe judgments described.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 17:12 reminds us of the importance of understanding God's warnings and the consequences of spiritual rebellion. Just as God plainly revealed the meaning of the parable to Judah, He continues to make His will and warnings clear through His Word. We are called to pay attention, learn from history, and respond with obedience rather than defiance. The clarity of God's communication here serves as a call to introspection for us today: are we truly hearing and understanding what God is communicating, or are we, like the "rebellious house," ignoring evident truths? This principle of divine judgment for disobedience is echoed throughout scripture, such as in Romans 1:18, where God's wrath is revealed against ungodliness.

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 24:19

    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?

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