Ezekiel 12:12

And the prince that [is] among them shall bear upon [his] shoulder in the twilight, and shall go forth: they shall dig through the wall to carry out thereby: he shall cover his face, that he see not the ground with [his] eyes.

And the prince {H5387} that is among {H8432} them shall bear {H5375} upon his shoulder {H3802} in the twilight {H5939}, and shall go forth {H3318}: they shall dig {H2864} through the wall {H7023} to carry out {H3318} thereby: he shall cover {H3680} his face {H6440}, that {H3282} he see {H7200} not the ground {H776} with his eyes {H5869}.

The prince who is with them will shoulder his pack and leave in the dark. They will dig holes through the wall to carry out their supplies. He will cover his face, so that he won't be able to see the ground with his eyes.

And at dusk the prince among them will lift his bags to his shoulder and go out. They will dig through the wall to bring him out. He will cover his face so he cannot see the land.

And the prince that is among them shall bear upon his shoulder in the dark, and shall go forth: they shall dig through the wall to carry out thereby: he shall cover his face, because he shall not see the land with his eyes.

Commentary

Ezekiel 12:12 is a vivid prophetic utterance detailing the ignominious flight and eventual capture of King Zedekiah of Judah during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem. This verse, part of a broader series of symbolic actions and prophecies by Ezekiel, underscores God's certain judgment upon a rebellious people and their leadership.

Context

The prophet Ezekiel was among the exiles already in Babylon (carried away in 597 BC with King Jehoiachin), while Jerusalem was still standing. God often gave Ezekiel prophecies concerning the impending, final destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, which would occur in 586 BC. Chapters 12-19 are largely dedicated to warnings of judgment. In Ezekiel 12:1-11, the prophet himself performs a dramatic pantomime: packing his bags like an exile, digging through a wall, and carrying his belongings out in the darkness, with his face covered. This public act was a living parable, directly illustrating the fate of the "prince" and the people of Jerusalem. Verse 12 specifically applies this prophecy to King Zedekiah, who was the last king of Judah before the city's fall and the Babylonian captivity.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Certainty of Prophecy: The passage powerfully illustrates God's unyielding judgment against Judah for its persistent idolatry and disobedience. The detailed nature of the prophecy, including the specific manner of Zedekiah's escape and capture, highlights the absolute certainty of God's word being fulfilled.
  • Ignominious Flight: The description of the prince bearing his belongings on his shoulder, fleeing in the "twilight," and digging through a wall, paints a picture of desperation and dishonor. This was not a king making a dignified exit, but a fugitive attempting to escape under cover of darkness, symbolizing the end of Judah's monarchy in shame.
  • Symbolic Blindness/Captivity: The phrase "he shall cover his face, that he see not the ground with his eyes" is particularly poignant. While it could symbolize shame or an attempt to avoid seeing the destruction, it finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jeremiah 52:11 and 2 Kings 25:7, which record that Zedekiah's eyes were put out by the Babylonians before he was taken to Babylon, thus he would literally "not see" the land he was taken to, nor would he see Jerusalem again.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "prince" here is nāśî’ (נָשִׂיא), which can refer to a chieftain, leader, or ruler. In this context, it unequivocally points to King Zedekiah. The phrase "dig through the wall" (חָתַר בַּקִּיר - ḥāṯar baqqîr) implies a desperate, clandestine escape, rather than using a gate, which further emphasizes the urgency and futility of his attempt. The detail of covering his face (יַעֲטֶה פָנָיו - ya‘ăṭeh fānāw) carries a double meaning, fulfilled both symbolically as a sign of mourning or shame, and literally in his future blinding.

Practical Application

Ezekiel's prophecy serves as a powerful reminder of several timeless truths:

  • Accountability of Leadership: Leaders, especially, are held to a high standard by God, and their choices have profound consequences for those they lead. Zedekiah's disobedience led to his personal downfall and the suffering of his people.
  • Futility of Resisting God's Will: Despite attempts to escape or defy God's declared judgment, His plans will always prevail. Zedekiah's desperate flight ultimately led to his capture and greater humiliation.
  • God's Word is True: The precise fulfillment of Ezekiel's prophecy, even down to the detail of Zedekiah's blindness, stands as a testament to the reliability and authority of God's Word. This should inspire confidence in all of God's promises and warnings, including those concerning future judgment and salvation.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 25:4 (5 votes)

    And the city was broken up, and all the men of war [fled] by night by the way of the gate between two walls, which [is] by the king's garden: (now the Chaldees [were] against the city round about:) and [the king] went the way toward the plain.

  • Jeremiah 39:4 (5 votes)

    And it came to pass, [that] when Zedekiah the king of Judah saw them, and all the men of war, then they fled, and went forth out of the city by night, by the way of the king's garden, by the gate betwixt the two walls: and he went out the way of the plain.

  • Ezekiel 12:6 (4 votes)

    In their sight shalt thou bear [it] upon [thy] shoulders, [and] carry [it] forth in the twilight: thou shalt cover thy face, that thou see not the ground: for I have set thee [for] a sign unto the house of Israel.

  • Jeremiah 42:7 (2 votes)

    ¶ And it came to pass after ten days, that the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah.

  • Jeremiah 52:7 (2 votes)

    Then the city was broken up, and all the men of war fled, and went forth out of the city by night by the way of the gate between the two walls, which [was] by the king's garden; (now the Chaldeans [were] by the city round about:) and they went by the way of the plain.