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Ezekiel 4

BSB·17 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Now youוְאַתָּ֤הwə·’at·tāh — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study →, sonבֶן־ḇen- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → of manאָדָם֙’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study →, takeקַח־qaḥ- — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → a brickלְבֵנָ֔הlə·ḇê·nāh — brick or tile used in constructionH3843 — Full Word Study →, placeוְנָתַתָּ֥הwə·nā·ṯat·tāh — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → itאוֹתָ֖הּ’ō·w·ṯāh — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → before youלְפָנֶ֑יךָlə·p̄ā·ne·ḵā — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study →, and drawוְחַקּוֹתָ֥wə·ḥaq·qō·w·ṯā — to decree, engrave, or establish by authorityH2710 — Full Word Study → on itעָלֶ֛יהָ‘ā·le·hā — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the cityעִ֖יר‘îr — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → of Jerusalemיְרוּשָׁלִָֽם׃yə·rū·šā·lim — City of peaceH3389 — Full Word Study →. 2Then layוְנָתַתָּ֨הwə·nā·ṯat·tāh — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → siegeמָצ֗וֹרmā·ṣō·wr — Siege, fortress, stronghold, defensive fortificationH4692 — Full Word Study → against itעָלֶ֜יהָ‘ā·le·hā — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →: Constructוּבָנִ֤יתָū·ḇā·nî·ṯā — to build, construct, establishH1129 — Full Word Study → a siege wallדָּיֵ֔קdā·yêq — siege ramp, siege works, fortificationH1785 — Full Word Study →, buildוְשָׁפַכְתָּ֥wə·šā·p̄aḵ·tā — to pour out, shed, spillH8210 — Full Word Study → a rampסֹֽלְלָ֑הsō·lə·lāh — Siege mound; raised embankment or rampartH5550 — Full Word Study → to itעָלֶ֖יהָ‘ā·le·hā — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →, set upוְנָתַתָּ֨הwə·nā·ṯat·tāh — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → campsמַחֲנ֛וֹתma·ḥă·nō·wṯ — Military encampment; organized settlement or gatheringH4264 — Full Word Study → against itעָלֶ֧יהָ‘ā·le·hā — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →, and placeוְשִׂים־wə·śîm- — to put, place, set, appointH7760 — Full Word Study → battering ramsכָּרִ֖יםkā·rîm — Ram; battering-ram; meadow; saddle padH3733 — Full Word Study → around itעָלֶ֥יהָ‘ā·le·hā — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → on all sidesסָבִֽיב׃sā·ḇîḇ — around, on all sides, encirclingH5439 — Full Word Study →. 3Thenוְאַתָּ֤הwə·’at·tāh — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study → takeקַח־qaḥ- — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → an ironבַּרְזֶ֔לbar·zel — Iron; a metal used for tools and weaponsH1270 — Full Word Study → plateמַחֲבַ֣תma·ḥă·ḇaṯ — baking griddle or panH4227 — Full Word Study → and set it upוְנָתַתָּ֤הwə·nā·ṯat·tāh — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → as an ironבַּרְזֶ֔לbar·zel — Iron; a metal used for tools and weaponsH1270 — Full Word Study → wallקִ֣ירqîr — A wall; a barrier or fortificationH7023 — Full Word Study → between yourselfבֵּינְךָ֖bê·nə·ḵā — between, among, in the midst ofH996 — Full Word Study → and the cityהָעִ֑ירhā·‘îr — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study →. Turnוַהֲכִינֹתָה֩wa·hă·ḵî·nō·ṯāh — to establish, prepare, or make firmH3559 — Full Word Study → your faceפָּנֶ֨יךָpā·ne·ḵā — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → toward itאֵלֶ֜יהָ’ê·le·hā — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → so that it isוְהָיְתָ֤הwə·hā·yə·ṯāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → under siegeבַמָּצוֹר֙ḇam·mā·ṣō·wr — Siege, fortress, stronghold, defensive fortificationH4692 — Full Word Study →, and besiege itוְצַרְתָּ֣wə·ṣar·tā — to besiege, confine, or press inH6696 — Full Word Study →. Thisהִ֖יאhî — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → will be a signא֥וֹת’ō·wṯ — A sign or miraculous wonder that authenticates God's powerH226 — Full Word Study → to the houseלְבֵ֥יתlə·ḇêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃סyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study →. 4Thenוְאַתָּ֤הwə·’at·tāh — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study → lie downשְׁכַב֙šə·ḵaḇ — to lie down, recline, sleepH7901 — Full Word Study → onעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → your leftהַשְּׂמָאלִ֔יhaś·śə·mā·lî — left side or left handH8042 — Full Word Study → sideצִדְּךָ֣ṣid·də·ḵā — side, flank, edgeH6654 — Full Word Study → and placeוְשַׂמְתָּ֛wə·śam·tā — to put, place, set, appointH7760 — Full Word Study → the iniquityעֲוֺ֥ן‘ă·wōn — Iniquity, guilt, or moral wrongdoingH5771 — Full Word Study → of the houseבֵּֽית־bêṯ- — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֖לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study → upon yourselfעָלָ֑יו‘ā·lāw — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →. You are to bearתִּשָּׂ֖אtiś·śā — To lift up, raise, or bear; to carry or supportH5375 — Full Word Study → their iniquityעֲוֺנָֽם׃‘ă·wō·nām — Iniquity, guilt, or moral wrongdoingH5771 — Full Word Study → for the numberמִסְפַּ֤רmis·par — number, count, enumerationH4557 — Full Word Study → of daysהַיָּמִים֙hay·yā·mîm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → you lie on your sideתִּשְׁכַּ֣בtiš·kaḇ — to lie down, recline, sleepH7901 — Full Word Study →. 5For Iוַאֲנִ֗יwa·’ă·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → have assignedנָתַ֤תִּֽיnā·ṯat·tî — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → to you 390שְׁלֹשׁ־šə·lōš- — The number three; a group of three thingsH7969 — Full Word Study → daysי֑וֹםyō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study →, according to the numberלְמִסְפַּ֣רlə·mis·par — number, count, enumerationH4557 — Full Word Study → of yearsשְׁנֵ֣יšə·nê — Year; period of time or ageH8141 — Full Word Study → of their iniquityעֲוֺנָ֔ם‘ă·wō·nām — Iniquity, guilt, or moral wrongdoingH5771 — Full Word Study →. So you shall bearוְנָשָׂ֖אתָwə·nā·śā·ṯā — To lift up, raise, or bear; to carry or supportH5375 — Full Word Study → the iniquityעֲוֺ֥ן‘ă·wōn — Iniquity, guilt, or moral wrongdoingH5771 — Full Word Study → of the houseבֵּֽית־bêṯ- — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃yiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study →. 6When you have completedוְכִלִּיתָ֣wə·ḵil·lî·ṯā — to finish, complete, or bring to an endH3615 — Full Word Study → these daysאֵ֗לֶּה’êl·leh — These; those; the onesH428 — Full Word Study →, lie downוְשָׁ֨כַבְתָּ֜wə·šā·ḵaḇ·tā — to lie down, recline, sleepH7901 — Full Word Study → againשֵׁנִ֔יתšê·nîṯ — second; again; another; otherH8145 — Full Word Study →, but onעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → your rightהַיְמוֹנִיhay·mō·nī — right hand; right sideH3227 — Full Word Study → sideצִדְּךָ֤ṣid·də·ḵā — side, flank, edgeH6654 — Full Word Study →, and bearוְנָשָׂ֖אתָwə·nā·śā·ṯā — To lift up, raise, or bear; to carry or supportH5375 — Full Word Study → the iniquityעֲוֺ֣ן‘ă·wōn — Iniquity, guilt, or moral wrongdoingH5771 — Full Word Study → of the houseבֵּית־bêṯ- — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of Judahיְהוּדָ֑הyə·hū·ḏāh — The Lord is praisedH3063 — Full Word Study →. I have assignedנְתַתִּ֥יוnə·ṯat·tîw — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → to you 40אַרְבָּעִ֣ים’ar·bā·‘îm — the number forty; a period of testing or judgmentH705 — Full Word Study → daysי֔וֹםyō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study →, a dayי֧וֹםyō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → for each yearלַשָּׁנָ֛הlaš·šā·nāh — Year; period of time or ageH8141 — Full Word Study →. 7You must turnתָּכִ֣יןtā·ḵîn — to establish, prepare, or make firmH3559 — Full Word Study → your faceפָּנֶ֔יךָpā·ne·ḵā — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → towardוְאֶל־wə·’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the siegeמְצ֤וֹרmə·ṣō·wr — Siege, fortress, stronghold, defensive fortificationH4692 — Full Word Study → of Jerusalemיְרוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙yə·rū·šā·lim — City of peaceH3389 — Full Word Study → with your armוּֽזְרֹעֲךָ֖ū·zə·rō·‘ă·ḵā — arm; power, strength, mightH2220 — Full Word Study → baredחֲשׂוּפָ֑הḥă·śū·p̄āh — to uncover, expose, lay bareH2834 — Full Word Study →, and prophesyוְנִבֵּאתָ֖wə·nib·bê·ṯā — To speak forth God's message; to prophesyH5012 — Full Word Study → against itעָלֶֽיהָ׃‘ā·le·hā — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →. 8Now beholdוְהִנֵּ֛הwə·hin·nêh — Look! Behold! Pay attention!H2009 — Full Word Study →, I will tie you upנָתַ֥תִּיnā·ṯat·tî — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → with ropesעֲבוֹתִ֑ים‘ă·ḇō·w·ṯîm — Cord, rope, or binding bandH5688 — Full Word Study → so you cannotוְלֹֽא־wə·lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → turnתֵהָפֵ֤ךְṯê·hā·p̄êḵ — to overturn, turn over, transformH2015 — Full Word Study → from sideמִֽצִּדְּךָ֙miṣ·ṣid·də·ḵā — side, flank, edgeH6654 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → sideצִדֶּ֔ךָṣid·de·ḵā — side, flank, edgeH6654 — Full Word Study → untilעַד־‘aḏ- — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study → you have finishedכַּלּוֹתְךָ֖kal·lō·wṯ·ḵā — to finish, complete, or bring to an endH3615 — Full Word Study → the daysיְמֵ֥יyə·mê — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → of your siegeמְצוּרֶֽךָ׃mə·ṣū·re·ḵā — Siege, fortress, stronghold, defensive fortificationH4692 — Full Word Study →. 9But takeקַח־qaḥ- — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → wheatחִטִּ֡יןḥiṭ·ṭîn — wheat grain or wheat cropH2406 — Full Word Study →, barleyוּ֠שְׂעֹרִיםū·śə·‘ō·rîm — barley; a cereal grainH8184 — Full Word Study →, beansוּפ֨וֹלū·p̄ō·wl — Bean or legume plantH6321 — Full Word Study →, lentilsוַעֲדָשִׁ֜יםwa·‘ă·ḏā·šîm — lentil, a legume seedH5742 — Full Word Study →, milletוְדֹ֣חַןwə·ḏō·ḥan — Millet, a small grain cerealH1764 — Full Word Study →, and speltוְכֻסְּמִ֗יםwə·ḵus·sə·mîm — rye or a type of grainH3698 — Full Word Study →; putוְנָתַתָּ֤הwə·nā·ṯat·tāh — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → themאוֹתָם֙’ō·w·ṯām — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → in a singleאֶחָ֔ד’e·ḥāḏ — One; unity; single; firstH259 — Full Word Study → containerבִּכְלִ֣יbiḵ·lî — vessel, instrument, or article of useH3627 — Full Word Study → and makeוְעָשִׂ֧יתָwə·‘ā·śî·ṯā — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → themאוֹתָ֛ם’ō·w·ṯām — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → into breadלְלָ֑חֶםlə·lā·ḥem — Bread; food; sustenanceH3899 — Full Word Study → for yourself. This is what you are to eat during theמִסְפַּ֨רmis·par — number, count, enumerationH4557 — Full Word Study → 390שְׁלֹשׁ־šə·lōš- — The number three; a group of three thingsH7969 — Full Word Study → daysי֖וֹםyō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → you lieשׁוֹכֵ֣בšō·w·ḵêḇ — to lie down, recline, sleepH7901 — Full Word Study → onעַֽל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → your sideצִדְּךָ֗ṣid·də·ḵā — side, flank, edgeH6654 — Full Word Study →. 10You are to weigh outבְּמִשְׁק֕וֹלbə·miš·qō·wl — weight, heaviness, or burdenH4946 — Full Word Study → twentyעֶשְׂרִ֥ים‘eś·rîm — The number twenty; a complete group or scoreH6242 — Full Word Study → shekelsשֶׁ֖קֶלše·qel — Ancient unit of weight and currency; shekelH8255 — Full Word Study → of foodוּמַאֲכָֽלְךָ֙ū·ma·’ă·ḵā·lə·ḵā — Food, sustenance, or provisions for eatingH3978 — Full Word Study → to eatתֹּאכֲלֶ֔נּוּtō·ḵă·len·nū — to eat, consume, devourH398 — Full Word Study → each dayלַיּ֑וֹםlay·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study →, and you are to eat itתֹּאכֲלֶֽנּוּ׃tō·ḵă·len·nū — to eat, consume, devourH398 — Full Word Study → at set timesמֵעֵ֥תmê·‘êṯ — Time, season, or appointed momentH6256 — Full Word Study →. 11You are also to measure outבִּמְשׂוּרָ֥הbim·śū·rāh — Capacity, measure, or extent of containmentH4884 — Full Word Study → a sixthשִׁשִּׁ֣יתšiš·šîṯ — The sixth; one-sixth partH8345 — Full Word Study → of a hinהַהִ֑יןha·hîn — A liquid measure of capacity, approximately one gallonH1969 — Full Word Study → of waterוּמַ֛יִםū·ma·yim — Water; liquid; fluidsH4325 — Full Word Study → to drinkתִשְׁתֶּ֖הṯiš·teh — to drink; consume liquidH8354 — Full Word Study →, and you are to drink itתִּשְׁתֶּֽה׃tiš·teh — to drink; consume liquidH8354 — Full Word Study → at set timesמֵעֵ֥תmê·‘êṯ — Time, season, or appointed momentH6256 — Full Word Study →. 12And you shall eatתֹּֽאכֲלֶ֑נָּהtō·ḵă·len·nāh — to eat, consume, devourH398 — Full Word Study → the food as you would a barleyשְׂעֹרִ֖יםśə·‘ō·rîm — barley; a cereal grainH8184 — Full Word Study → cakeוְעֻגַ֥תwə·‘u·ḡaṯ — A cake or bun, typically baked on coals or a hearthH5692 — Full Word Study →, after you bakeתְּעֻגֶ֖נָהtə·‘u·ḡe·nāh — to bake, prepare baked goodsH5746 — Full Word Study → it over dried humanהָֽאָדָ֔םhā·’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study → excrementבְּגֶֽלְלֵי֙bə·ḡel·lê — Dung, excrement, filthH1561 — Full Word Study → in the sight of the people.” 13Then the LORDיְהוָ֔הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → saidוַיֹּ֣אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “This is howכָּ֣כָהkā·ḵāh — Thus; in this manner; soH3602 — Full Word Study → the Israelitesבְנֵֽי־ḇə·nê- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → will eatיֹאכְל֧וּyō·ḵə·lū — to eat, consume, devourH398 — Full Word Study → their defiledטָמֵ֑אṭā·mê — Unclean, defiled, impureH2931 — Full Word Study → breadלַחְמָ֖םlaḥ·mām — Bread; food; sustenanceH3899 — Full Word Study → among the nationsבַּגּוֹיִ֕םbag·gō·w·yim — Nation; a people or ethnic groupH1471 — Full Word Study → to whichאֲשֶׁ֥ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → I will banish themאַדִּיחֵ֖ם’ad·dî·ḥêm — to drive away, banish, or thrust outH5080 — Full Word Study →.” 14Ahאֲהָהּ֙’ă·hāh — An exclamation of lamentation, grief, or despairH162 — Full Word Study →, Lordאֲדֹנָ֣י’ă·ḏō·nāy — Master, LordH136 — Full Word Study → GODיְהוִ֔הYah·weh — The LORD, the covenant God of IsraelH3069 — Full Word Study →,” I saidוָאֹמַ֗רwā·’ō·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “Iנַפְשִׁ֖יnap̄·šî — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study → have neverלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → defiled myselfמְטֻמָּאָ֑הmə·ṭum·mā·’āh — to be unclean, to defile or contaminateH2930 — Full Word Study →. From my youthמִנְּעוּרַ֣יmin·nə·‘ū·ray — Youth, young people, the state of being youngH5271 — Full Word Study → untilוְעַד־wə·‘aḏ- — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study → nowעַ֔תָּה‘at·tāh — Now; at the present timeH6258 — Full Word Study → I have notלֹֽא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → eatenאָכַ֙לְתִּי֙’ā·ḵal·tî — to eat, consume, devourH398 — Full Word Study → anything found deadוּנְבֵלָ֨הū·nə·ḇê·lāh — Carcass, dead body, carrionH5038 — Full Word Study → or mauled by wild beastsוּטְרֵפָ֤הū·ṭə·rê·p̄āh — Flesh torn by beasts; carrionH2966 — Full Word Study →. Noוְלֹא־wə·lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → uncleanפִּגּֽוּל׃סpig·gūl — Refuse, filth, abominationH6292 — Full Word Study → meatבְּשַׂ֥רbə·śar — Flesh; body; meat; human natureH1320 — Full Word Study → has ever enteredבָ֥אḇā — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → my mouthבְּפִ֖יbə·p̄î — Mouth; lips; edge; openingH6310 — Full Word Study →.” 15Lookרְאֵ֗הrə·’êh — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study →,” He repliedוַיֹּ֣אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “I will letנָתַ֤תִּֽיnā·ṯat·tî — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → you use cowהַבָּקָ֔רhab·bā·qār — cattle, herd, ox, bovine livestockH1241 — Full Word Study → dungצְפוּעֵיṣə·p̄ū·ʿē — animal excrement; dung; manureH6832 — Full Word Study → instead ofתַּ֖חַתta·ḥaṯ — Under, beneath, instead of, in place ofH8478 — Full Word Study → humanהָֽאָדָ֑םhā·’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study → excrementגֶּלְלֵ֣יgel·lê — Dung, excrement, filthH1561 — Full Word Study →, and you may bakeוְעָשִׂ֥יתָwə·‘ā·śî·ṯā — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → your breadלַחְמְךָ֖laḥ·mə·ḵā — Bread; food; sustenanceH3899 — Full Word Study → over thatעֲלֵיהֶֽם׃ס‘ă·lê·hem — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →.” 16Then He toldוַיֹּ֣אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → meאֵלַ֗י’ê·lay — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study →, “Sonבֶּן־ben- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → of manאָדָם֙’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study →, I am going to cut offשֹׁבֵ֤רšō·ḇêr — to break, shatter, crushH7665 — Full Word Study → the supplyמַטֵּה־maṭ·ṭêh- — Rod, staff, or tribeH4294 — Full Word Study → of foodלֶ֙חֶם֙le·ḥem — Bread; food; sustenanceH3899 — Full Word Study → in Jerusalemבִּיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔םbî·rū·šā·lim — City of peaceH3389 — Full Word Study →. They will anxiouslyוּבִדְאָגָ֑הū·ḇiḏ·’ā·ḡāh — Anxiety, worry, or troubled concernH1674 — Full Word Study → eatוְאָכְלוּ־wə·’ā·ḵə·lū- — to eat, consume, devourH398 — Full Word Study → breadלֶ֥חֶםle·ḥem — Bread; food; sustenanceH3899 — Full Word Study → rationed by weightבְּמִשְׁקָ֖לbə·miš·qāl — weight, heaviness, or burdenH4948 — Full Word Study →, and in despairוּבְשִׁמָּמ֖וֹןū·ḇə·šim·mā·mō·wn — Horror, desolation, or astonishmentH8078 — Full Word Study → they will drinkיִשְׁתּֽוּ׃yiš·tū — to drink; consume liquidH8354 — Full Word Study → waterוּמַ֕יִםū·ma·yim — Water; liquid; fluidsH4325 — Full Word Study → by measureבִּמְשׂוּרָ֥הbim·śū·rāh — Capacity, measure, or extent of containmentH4884 — Full Word Study →. 17Soלְמַ֥עַןlə·ma·‘an — because of, for the sake of, in order thatH4616 — Full Word Study → they will lackיַחְסְר֖וּyaḥ·sə·rū — to lack, be deficient, wantH2637 — Full Word Study → foodלֶ֣חֶםle·ḥem — Bread; food; sustenanceH3899 — Full Word Study → and waterוָמָ֑יִםwā·mā·yim — Water; liquid; fluidsH4325 — Full Word Study →; they will be appalledוְנָשַׁ֙מּוּ֙wə·nā·šam·mū — to be desolate; to be appalled; to lie wasteH8074 — Full Word Study → at the sight of one anotherוְאָחִ֔יוwə·’ā·ḥîw — Male sibling; brother; kinsmanH251 — Full Word Study → wasting awayוְנָמַ֖קּוּwə·nā·maq·qū — To rot, decay, or waste awayH4743 — Full Word Study → in their iniquityבַּעֲוֺנָֽם׃פba·‘ă·wō·nām — Iniquity, guilt, or moral wrongdoingH5771 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — Ezekiel 4
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

In Ezekiel 4, the Lord commands the prophet to perform a series of symbolic actions that visually communicate the coming siege and judgment upon Jerusalem. Through enacted prophecy—sketching the city under siege, lying on his side for extended periods, and eating rationed, defiled bread—Ezekiel becomes a living sign to the nation. These dramatic object lessons demonstrate the reality of God's judgment while simultaneously revealing His patience and the serious consequences of sustained rebellion against Him.

Verses 1–3: The Siege Portrayed

The Lord begins by instructing Ezekiel to take a clay tablet and draw Jerusalem under siege. He must sketch fortifications, siege camps, and battering rams surrounding the city, then place an iron pan between himself and the drawing—representing an unbreakable barrier between God and His people. This visual demonstration serves as a sign to the house of Israel (v. 3), making the abstract reality of coming judgment concrete and undeniable. Ezekiel's stern face directed toward the city reinforces the gravity of the message. These actions remind us that God often uses visual, tangible means to penetrate hardened hearts; sometimes a picture truly is worth a thousand words, especially when the word is divine warning.

Verses 4–8: The Iniquity Borne

The Lord commands Ezekiel to lie on his left side for 390 days, bearing the iniquity of Israel, then on his right side for 40 days, bearing the iniquity of Judah (vv. 4–6). Each day represents one year of punishment (v. 6). This physical endurance test—lying bound so he cannot turn freely—symbolizes both Israel's captivity and the prophet's intercession on their behalf. Ezekiel's immobility mirrors the nation's coming powerlessness in exile. While Ezekiel obviously cannot literally atone for sin (that belongs to Christ alone), his willingness to suffer publicly demonstrates the cost of sin and God's patience in warning before judgment falls. The numbers themselves—390 and 40—likely represent the duration of Israel's exile and judgment.

Verses 9–15: Rationed and Defiled Bread

During his extended vigil, Ezekiel must eat only meager rations: mixed grains made into bread, weighed at twenty shekels daily, with water limited to one-sixth of a hin (v. 9–11). Most strikingly, he must bake his bread using human dung as fuel (v. 12). When Ezekiel protests—he has maintained ceremonial cleanliness his entire life—the Lord mercifully permits cow dung instead (v. 15). This degradation symbolizes Israel's coming humiliation in exile, where they will eat defiled bread among the Gentiles (v. 13). God's concession to Ezekiel's conscience shows His character: He judges justly but not without mercy, and He honors sincere obedience. The defilement of the bread represents spiritual and cultural contamination Israel will experience through exile.

Verses 16–17: The Breaking of the Staff

The prophecy culminates in verse 16: I will break the staff of bread in Jerusalem. Bread, the staff of life, becomes a measured commodity—eaten with care and consumed with astonishment. Water too becomes scarce. This famine, whether literal or metaphorical, will bring Israel to utter dependency and force recognition of their sin. The goal is repentance: that they may want bread and water, and be astonied one with another, and consume away for their iniquity (v. 17). Even in judgment, God's purpose remains redemptive—to break the stubborn will and turn hearts homeward.

Application for Today

Ezekiel's willingness to endure public humiliation for God's message challenges us: Are we willing to look foolish for Christ's sake? More importantly, these chapters remind us that sin has real consequences, but God always provides warning before judgment. We serve a God who is both holy and patient, and who desires our repentance far more than our destruction.

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