Ezekiel 4:4

Lie thou also upon thy left side, and lay the iniquity of the house of Israel upon it: [according] to the number of the days that thou shalt lie upon it thou shalt bear their iniquity.

Lie {H7901} thou also upon thy left {H8042} side {H6654}, and lay {H7760} the iniquity {H5771} of the house {H1004} of Israel {H3478} upon it: according to the number {H4557} of the days {H3117} that thou shalt lie {H7901} upon it thou shalt bear {H5375} their iniquity {H5771}.

"Next, you are to lie on your left side, and have it bear the guilt of the house of Isra'el - for as many days as you lie on your side, you will bear their guilt.

Then lie down on your left side and place the iniquity of the house of Israel upon yourself. You are to bear their iniquity for the number of days you lie on your side.

Moreover lie thou upon thy left side, and lay the iniquity of the house of Israel upon it; according to the number of the days that thou shalt lie upon it, thou shalt bear their iniquity.

Commentary

Ezekiel 4:4 is part of a dramatic and highly symbolic series of acts commanded by God to the prophet Ezekiel. These actions served as living parables, communicating God's severe judgment against the rebellious house of Israel and Judah during their Babylonian exile.

Context

Following his call to ministry, Ezekiel was instructed to perform a series of bizarre and physically demanding acts to illustrate the siege of Jerusalem and the coming judgment. In this particular verse, he is commanded to "lie upon thy left side" for a specific duration. This act symbolizes the punishment for the "iniquity of the house of Israel," referring primarily to the northern kingdom of Israel (the ten tribes) that had been carried into Assyrian captivity much earlier. The duration, which is specified in the following verse as 390 days, represented the years of their sin and rebellion leading to their downfall. This vivid portrayal underscored the gravity of their disobedience and the certainty of God's impending judgment on Jerusalem and Judah, who were now facing similar consequences.

Key Themes

  • Symbolic Prophecy: Ezekiel's actions were not merely personal suffering but a powerful, visual sermon. God used the prophet's body to convey profound spiritual truths about the nation's spiritual state and future judgment. This method ensured that the message was undeniable to the exiles.
  • Bearing Iniquity: The phrase "lay the iniquity...upon it" and "thou shalt bear their iniquity" signifies Ezekiel's identification with the nation's guilt and the heavy burden of their sin. While not an atoning sacrifice, it was a prophetic representation of the consequences of sin and the weight of God's righteous judgment. It highlights the principle that sin carries a heavy burden and has inevitable consequences.
  • Divine Justice and Patience: The lengthy duration of 390 days (and 40 for Judah) illustrates God's long-suffering patience with His people, giving them ample opportunity to repent, yet ultimately bringing judgment when their rebellion became entrenched. It demonstrates that God's justice is precise and measured according to the extent of their transgression.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "iniquity" here is โ€˜avon (ืขึธื•ึนืŸ), which carries a multifaceted meaning. It refers not only to the act of sin itself but also to the guilt incurred by sin and the punishment that results from it. Thus, Ezekiel was not just bearing the "sin" but the "guilt" and the "punishment" associated with Israel's long history of rebellion against God's covenant.

Reflection

Ezekiel's uncomfortable and prolonged posture serves as a stark reminder of the weight of sin and God's unwavering justice. For believers today, this passage underscores several truths:

  • The Gravity of Sin: Sin is not trivial; it incurs guilt and leads to consequences. God takes disobedience seriously, as evidenced by the severe judgment on Israel.
  • God's Communication: God uses various means to communicate His will and warnings. We should pay heed to His Word, which clearly outlines His expectations and the path to life.
  • The Burden of Others: While Ezekiel bore the symbolic iniquity, Christ bore the actual sin of humanity. This prophetic act foreshadows the ultimate burden-bearing of Jesus Christ, who truly bore our iniquities on the cross, offering forgiveness and reconciliation.

This verse challenges us to examine our own lives for areas of rebellion and to appreciate the immense sacrifice made to free us from the burden of our own iniquity.

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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

  • Leviticus 16:22 (4 votes)

    And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness.

  • Leviticus 10:17 (3 votes)

    Wherefore have ye not eaten the sin offering in the holy place, seeing it [is] most holy, and [God] hath given it you to bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the LORD?

  • Ezekiel 4:8 (3 votes)

    And, behold, I will lay bands upon thee, and thou shalt not turn thee from one side to another, till thou hast ended the days of thy siege.

  • Numbers 18:1 (3 votes)

    ยถ And the LORD said unto Aaron, Thou and thy sons and thy father's house with thee shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary: and thou and thy sons with thee shall bear the iniquity of your priesthood.

  • Isaiah 53:11 (3 votes)

    He shall see of the travail of his soul, [and] shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

  • Isaiah 53:12 (3 votes)

    Therefore will I divide him [a portion] with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

  • Hebrews 9:28 (2 votes)

    So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.