Ezekiel 4:6

And when thou hast accomplished them, lie again on thy right side, and thou shalt bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days: I have appointed thee each day for a year.

And when thou hast accomplished {H3615} them {H428}, lie {H7901} again {H8145} on thy right {H3233}{H3227} side {H6654}, and thou shalt bear {H5375} the iniquity {H5771} of the house {H1004} of Judah {H3063} forty {H705} days {H3117}: I have appointed {H5414} thee each day {H3117}{H3117} for a year {H8141}{H8141}.

Then, when you have finished that, you are to lie on your right side and bear the guilt of the house of Y'hudah for forty days, each day corresponding to a year; this is what I am assigning you.

When you have completed these days, lie down again, but on your right side, and bear the iniquity of the house of Judah. I have assigned to you 40 days, a day for each year.

And again, when thou hast accomplished these, thou shalt lie on thy right side, and shalt bear the iniquity of the house of Judah: forty days, each day for a year, have I appointed it unto thee.

Commentary

Ezekiel 4:6 continues the dramatic prophetic actions commanded by God to the prophet Ezekiel. This verse specifically details a further period of symbolic suffering, shifting focus from the northern kingdom of Israel to the southern kingdom of Judah.

Context

In the preceding verses of Ezekiel chapter 4, God instructs Ezekiel to perform a series of vivid, symbolic actions to represent the impending siege and destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of its inhabitants. He was first commanded to lie on his left side for 390 days, symbolizing the years of Israel's iniquity (Ezekiel 4:5). After completing this period, verse 6 directs him to switch to his right side for a shorter, but equally significant, duration representing Judah.

Key Themes

  • Symbolic Prophecy and Divine Communication: God uses Ezekiel's body and actions as a living parable to convey profound truths about judgment and punishment to a rebellious people. This wasn't merely a vision but a physical performance for public witness.
  • Bearing Iniquity: When God tells Ezekiel to "bear the iniquity of the house of Judah," it means he is to publicly represent or endure the consequences of their sin. It's a symbolic identification with their guilt and impending punishment, not an atoning sacrifice. This highlights the severe moral corruption of Judah that necessitated divine intervention.
  • The "Day for a Year" Principle: The phrase "I have appointed thee each day for a year" is a crucial prophetic key. It establishes a divine principle where a period of days in prophecy can correspond to years in actual fulfillment. This specific application of the principle underscores the precision and predetermined nature of God's judgment, indicating that the 40 days of Ezekiel's symbolic suffering would represent 40 years of Judah's punishment or exile. A similar principle is seen in Numbers 14:34 concerning Israel's wilderness wandering.
  • Judah's Specific Judgment: While Israel's punishment was longer (390 years), Judah's 40-year period likely refers to the duration from the beginning of Nebuchadnezzar's incursions leading to the destruction of Jerusalem and the subsequent exile, or a significant period of desolation.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "iniquity" is 'avon (ืขึธื•ื•ึนืŸ), which refers not just to sin itself, but often includes the guilt, punishment, or consequence associated with that sin. Ezekiel's "bearing" (from the Hebrew verb nasa', ื ึธืฉึธื‚ื) of this iniquity signifies enduring the burden or penalty of it on behalf of the nation, making the prophetic act deeply impactful.

Practical Application and Reflection

Ezekiel 4:6 serves as a powerful reminder of God's unwavering justice and the serious consequences of prolonged disobedience. It illustrates that:

  • God's Warnings Are Real: The symbolic actions of Ezekiel were a final, desperate warning to a people who had ignored countless prophets. God does not execute judgment without ample warning and patience.
  • Sin Has Consequences: The "iniquity" of Judah led directly to their suffering and exile. This principle remains true for individuals and nations; rebellion against God's ways ultimately leads to negative outcomes.
  • Divine Timing and Sovereignty: The "day for a year" principle demonstrates God's precise control over historical events and His perfect timing in fulfilling prophecies. Even in judgment, there is a divine plan and purpose.
  • The Burden of Prophecy: Ezekiel's personal sacrifice and uncomfortable obedience in carrying out these symbolic acts highlight the demanding nature of God's call on His servants.

This verse encourages believers to heed God's warnings, live in obedience, and trust in His sovereign plan, even when it involves difficult periods of discipline or judgment.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Numbers 14:34

    After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, [even] forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, [even] forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise.

  • Daniel 12:11

    And from the time [that] the daily [sacrifice] shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, [there shall be] a thousand two hundred and ninety days.

  • Daniel 12:12

    Blessed [is] he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.

  • Daniel 9:24

    Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

  • Daniel 9:26

    And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof [shall be] with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

  • Revelation 11:2

    But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty [and] two months.

  • Revelation 11:3

    ยถ And I will give [power] unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred [and] threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
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