Ezekiel 4:15

Then he said unto me, Lo, I have given thee cow's dung for man's dung, and thou shalt prepare thy bread therewith.

Then he said ^{H559} unto me, Lo ^{H7200}, I have given ^{H5414} thee cow's ^{H1241} dung ^{H6832}^{H6832} for man's ^{H120} dung ^{H1561}, and thou shalt prepare ^{H6213} thy bread ^{H3899} therewith.

He answered, "All right, I will give you cow dung to use instead of human dung, and you can prepare your bread on it."

“Look,” He replied, “I will let you use cow dung instead of human excrement, and you may bake your bread over that.”

Then he said unto me, See, I have given thee cow’s dung for man’s dung, and thou shalt prepare thy bread thereon.

Ezekiel 4:15 is a pivotal moment in the prophet Ezekiel's series of symbolic acts, illustrating God's impending judgment and the severe conditions Jerusalem would endure during its siege. This verse marks a divine concession, revealing both the harshness of the coming judgment and God's underlying compassion.

Context

This verse follows a particularly harsh divine command given to Ezekiel in Ezekiel 4:12. Originally, God instructed the prophet to bake his bread over a fire fueled by human excrement. This was an act of extreme defilement and degradation, designed to vividly portray the uncleanness, famine, and desperate straits the inhabitants of Jerusalem would face. Such an act would have been profoundly offensive and ritually impure for an Israelite, especially a priest like Ezekiel (see Leviticus 5:3 on uncleanness). Ezekiel's protest in Ezekiel 4:14, citing his lifelong adherence to purity laws, prompts the Lord's merciful adjustment in verse 15.

Key Themes

Divine Mercy Amidst Judgment: Despite the severity of the impending judgment on Jerusalem, God shows compassion by allowing a less defiling, though still humble, fuel source. This demonstrates that even in wrath, God remembers mercy (Habakkuk 3:2).
Prophetic Symbolism of Hardship: While less extreme than human dung, using cow's dung as fuel for baking still conveyed the scarcity of resources and the humble, even defiling, conditions of the siege. In ancient Near Eastern societies, animal dung was a common fuel source where wood was scarce, but its use for baking bread emphasized the extreme poverty and desperation that would come upon the city.
Ezekiel's Obedience and Intercession: The prophet's willingness to perform such a demeaning act, even after the slight modification, underscores his profound obedience to God's difficult commands. His protest, though brief, highlights his commitment to purity and perhaps serves as a form of intercession for his own well-being during this demanding prophetic ministry.
The Reality of Judgment: The graphic nature of these symbolic acts was intended to shock the exiled Israelites into recognizing the severity of their impending doom and the true nature of their rebellion against God.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "dung" (gelelim, גללים) is used here. While "man's dung" (gelelim adam) in verse 12 emphasizes extreme defilement, the substitution to "cow's dung" (pelelet bakar) in verse 15, though still humble, signifies a degree of relief. Cow dung was a common, dried fuel source, especially in areas with limited wood, and was not ritually as offensive as human waste, which was strictly forbidden for use in food preparation according to Israelite purity laws.

Practical Application and Reflection

Ezekiel 4:15 reminds us of several enduring truths. Firstly, it illustrates God's sovereignty over all circumstances, even the most abject. Secondly, it highlights God's compassion; while judgment is certain when sin persists, He often provides a way for endurance or a slight alleviation of suffering for His faithful servants. For believers today, this verse can be a reminder that even in seemingly unbearable trials or difficult callings, God is aware of our limits and may provide unexpected grace or a way of escape. It also underscores the importance of obedience to God's commands, even when they are challenging or counter-cultural, trusting that His ultimate purpose is good and just.

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.

No cross-references found for this verse.