Ezekiel 12:11
Ezekiel 12:11 in Multiple Translations
You are to say, ‘I am a sign to you.’ Just as it happened here, so will it be done to them; they will go into exile as captives.
Say, I am your sign: like as I have done, so shall it be done unto them: they shall remove and go into captivity.
Say, I am your sign: like as I have done, so shall it be done unto them; they shall go into exile, into captivity.
Say, I am your sign: as I have done, so will it be done to them: they will go away as prisoners.
You are to say to them, ‘I'm a sign to you.’ Just as it was demonstrated here, so it will happen to them—they will go into exile as prisoners.
Say, I am your signe: like as I haue done, so shall it be done vnto them: they shall goe into bondage and captiuitie.
Say: I [am] your type; as I have done so it is done to them, into a removal, into a captivity, they do go.
“Say, ‘I am your sign. As I have done, so will it be done to them. They will go into exile, into captivity.
Say, I am your sign: as I have done, so shall it be done to them: they shall remove and go into captivity.
Say: I am a sign of things to come to you: as I have done, so shall it be done to them: they shall be removed from their dwellings, and go into captivity.
Tell them, ‘What I did is a warning to you.’ What has happened to you will happen to them. They will be captured and forced to go to another country.
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 12:11
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Ezekiel 12:11 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אֱמֹ֖ר
אֲנִ֣י
מֽוֹפֶתְ/כֶ֑ם
כַּ/אֲשֶׁ֣ר
עָשִׂ֗יתִי
כֵּ֚ן
יֵעָשֶׂ֣ה
לָ/הֶ֔ם
בַּ/גּוֹלָ֥ה
בַ/שְּׁבִ֖י
יֵלֵֽכוּ
אֱמֹ֖ר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
V-Qal-Impv-2ms
אֲנִ֣י
ʼănîy
H589
I
Pron
מֽוֹפֶתְ/כֶ֑ם
môwphêth
H4159
wonder
N-ms | Suff
כַּ/אֲשֶׁ֣ר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Prep | Rel
עָשִׂ֗יתִי
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Qal-Perf-1cs
כֵּ֚ן
kên
H3651
right
Part
יֵעָשֶׂ֣ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms
לָ/הֶ֔ם
Prep | Suff
בַּ/גּוֹלָ֥ה
gôwlâh
H1473
captivity
Prep | N-fs
בַ/שְּׁבִ֖י
shᵉbîy
H7628
captivity
Prep | N-cs
יֵלֵֽכוּ
yâlak
H3212
to walk
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 12:11
אֱמֹ֖ר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
V-Qal-Impv-2ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
אֲנִ֣י
ʼănîy
H589
"I"
Pron
This Hebrew word is a simple way of saying 'I' or 'me', often used for emphasis. It is used by people like David in the Psalms to express their thoughts and feelings. The word is a basic part of the Hebrew language.
Definition: I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis)
Usage: Occurs in 803 OT verses. KJV: I, (as for) me, mine, myself, we, [idiom] which, [idiom] who. See also: Genesis 6:17; Leviticus 19:36; 1 Samuel 25:24.
מֽוֹפֶתְ/כֶ֑ם
môwphêth
H4159
"wonder"
N-ms | Suff
This word means wonder or miracle, a special display of God's power. It describes a sign or token, like the miracles performed by prophets. The Bible uses it to convey a sense of awe.
Definition: 1) wonder, sign, miracle, portent 1a) wonder (as a special display of God's power) 1b) sign, token (of future event)
Usage: Occurs in 35 OT verses. KJV: miracle, sign, wonder(-ed at). See also: Exodus 4:21; 2 Chronicles 32:24; Psalms 71:7.
כַּ/אֲשֶׁ֣ר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Prep | Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
עָשִׂ֗יתִי
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
V-Qal-Perf-1cs
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
כֵּ֚ן
kên
H3651
"right"
Part
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means 'so' or 'thus', often used to show agreement or confirmation, like in the book of Genesis. It can also mean 'rightly' or 'justly', as in doing something the correct way. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: adv adj 1) right, just, honest, true, veritable 1a) right, just, honest 1b) correct 1c) true, veritable
Usage: Occurs in 737 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] after that (this, -ward, -wards), as... as, [phrase] (for-) asmuch as yet, [phrase] be (for which) cause, [phrase] following, howbeit, in (the) like (manner, -wise), [idiom] the more, right, (even) so, state, straightway, such (thing), surely, [phrase] there (where) -fore, this, thus, true, well, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:7; Exodus 37:19; Judges 7:17.
יֵעָשֶׂ֣ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
לָ/הֶ֔ם
""
Prep | Suff
בַּ/גּוֹלָ֥ה
gôwlâh
H1473
"captivity"
Prep | N-fs
This word means being taken captive or exile, like when Israel was carried away to Babylon. It refers to a group of people forced to leave their homes. In the Bible, it appears in 2 Kings 25:21.
Definition: 1) exiles, exile, captivity 1a) exiles (coll) 1b) exile, captivity (abstract)
Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: (carried away), captive(-ity), removing. See also: 2 Kings 24:14; Jeremiah 29:16; Jeremiah 28:6.
בַ/שְּׁבִ֖י
shᵉbîy
H7628
"captivity"
Prep | N-cs
This word describes someone who has been captured or taken away, like the Israelites who were exiled to Babylon. It can also refer to the act of taking someone or something away, or to the state of being a captive.
Definition: 1) captivity, captives 1a) (state of) captivity 1b) (act of) capture 1c) captives
Usage: Occurs in 46 OT verses. KJV: captive(-ity), prisoners, [idiom] take away, that was taken. See also: Exodus 12:29; Isaiah 49:24; Psalms 68:19.
יֵלֵֽכוּ
yâlak
H3212
"to walk"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
To walk or go, this verb means to move from one place to another, used literally or figuratively, as in to live or die, or to lead someone.
Definition: 1) to go, walk, come 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away 1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.) 1b) (Hiphil) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. See also: Genesis 3:14; Exodus 5:8; Deuteronomy 28:14.
Study Notes — Ezekiel 12:11
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Ezekiel 12:11 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 12:11
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 12:11
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 12:11
- Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 12:11
- Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 12:11
- Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 12:11
- Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 12:11
- Sermons on Ezekiel 12:11
Context — Signs of the Coming Captivity
9“Son of man, hasn’t the rebellious house of Israel asked you, ‘What are you doing?’
10Tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘This burden concerns the prince in Jerusalem and all the house of Israel who are there.’
11You are to say, ‘I am a sign to you.’ Just as it happened here, so will it be done to them; they will go into exile as captives.
12And 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. 13But I will spread My net over him, and he will be caught in My snare. I will bring him to Babylon, the land of the Chaldeans; yet he will not see it, and there he will die.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah 52:15 | Then Nebuzaradan captain of the guard carried into exile some of the poorest people and those who remained in the city, along with the deserters who had defected to the king of Babylon and the rest of the craftsmen. |
| 2 | Jeremiah 15:2 | If they ask you, ‘Where shall we go?’ you are to tell them that this is what the LORD says: ‘Those destined for death, to death; those destined for the sword, to the sword; those destined for famine, to famine; and those destined for captivity, to captivity.’ |
| 3 | Jeremiah 52:28–30 | These are the people Nebuchadnezzar carried away: in the seventh year, 3,023 Jews; in Nebuchadnezzar’s eighteenth year, 832 people from Jerusalem; in Nebuchadnezzar’s twenty-third year, Nebuzaradan captain of the guard carried away 745 Jews. So in all, 4,600 people were taken away. |
| 4 | Ezekiel 12:6 | And as they watch, lift your bags to your shoulder and take them out at dusk; cover your face so that you cannot see the land. For I have made you a sign to the house of Israel.” |
Ezekiel 12:11 Summary
Ezekiel 12:11 means that Ezekiel is being used by God as a symbol or sign to the people of Israel, to show them what will happen to them if they don't turn back to God. Just like Ezekiel is acting out a scene, the people of Israel will also experience exile and captivity, as seen in Deuteronomy 28:63-64. This verse is a warning to the people to repent and turn to God, and it reminds us that our actions have consequences, as seen in Galatians 6:7-8. By looking at Ezekiel's example, we can learn to trust in God's sovereignty and provision, even in difficult times.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for Ezekiel to be a sign to the people?
As a sign, Ezekiel's actions and experiences are meant to symbolize and foreshadow the events that will occur to the people of Israel, as seen in Ezekiel 12:11, much like the signs and wonders performed by Moses in Exodus 4:1-9.
Why is Ezekiel instructed to say 'I am a sign to you'?
Ezekiel is instructed to say this in order to emphasize the connection between his actions and the coming judgment on Israel, serving as a warning to the people, as also seen in Isaiah 20:2-6 where the prophet Isaiah walks naked and barefoot as a sign to Egypt and Ethiopia.
What is the significance of the phrase 'they will go into exile as captives'?
This phrase indicates that the people of Israel will be taken away from their homeland and forced to live in a foreign land, much like the Babylonian exile prophesied in 2 Kings 25:1-21, where the people of Judah were taken captive by the Babylonians.
How does this verse relate to the broader theme of God's judgment on Israel?
This verse is part of a larger narrative in which God is warning Israel of impending judgment and exile, as seen in Ezekiel 5:1-17, where Ezekiel is instructed to shave his head and beard to symbolize the judgment that will come upon Israel.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I can be a sign to others of God's love and redemption, as Ezekiel was a sign to the people of Israel?
- How can I apply the principle of Ezekiel 12:11 to my own life, recognizing that my actions and experiences may be used by God to teach and warn others?
- What are some areas in my life where I may be experiencing 'exile' or displacement, and how can I trust in God's sovereignty and provision during these times, as seen in Psalm 23:4?
- In what ways can I use my own experiences and struggles to point others to the hope and redemption found in Jesus Christ, as seen in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4?
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 12:11
Say, I [am] your sign,.... Which represents you, and shows what will befall you: like as I have done, so shall it be done unto them; as he had carried out his stuff, and had removed it from one place
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 12:11
Say, I am your sign: like as I have done, so shall it be done unto them: they shall remove and go into captivity. Sign - portent of evil to come (Ezekiel 24:27; Zechariah 3:8, margin, 'men of wonder,' or "sign").
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 12:11
My person is the emblem of yours, and my actions in these cases are signs of that you shall do; and where you do not actively the like, yet the like shall be done to you, O inhabitants of Jerusalem. Remove; change their habitations, and carry away their goods, such as the clemency of a conqueror will permit. Go into captivity; you to whom I tell these things shall see them come from Jerusalem unto Babylon, as dejected, spoiled, and naked captives.
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 12:11
Ezekiel 12:11 Say, I [am] your sign: like as I have done, so shall it be done unto them: they shall remove [and] go into captivity.Ver. 11. I am your sign.] And so it pleases you to make me your mocking stock. Sed risus hic est Sardonius. Of such mirth one may safely say, "It is mad; and of such laughter, What doeth it?" Like as I have done.] My removal is mira, nova inimica, et ludicra; a marvel, newly hostile, and a show; but upon you it will fall heavily and horridly. That which hath befallen me in type only, shall befall you in truth and reality.
Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 12:11
(11) Your sign.—The change of pronoun is intentional. The prophet’s action was to be a sign not only to Zedekiah and the people in Jerusalem, but also to those in captivity, since they rested their hope upon the safety of the holy city.
Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 12:11
11. I am your sign] i.e. a sign to you—the exiles, to whom he is speaking; while done “to them” refers to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Cf. Ezekiel 12:6.
Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 12:11
11. I am your sign — It is no light thing to be set as a sign by the Lord. It is only the brave and consecrated man that God can so use. Few men have been great enough to be honored thus.
Sermons on Ezekiel 12:11
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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The Horizon of Divine Purpose - Part 7 by T. Austin-Sparks | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the purpose and work of God in the lives of believers. He emphasizes that God is working to reproduce the image of Christ in every believer th |
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The Voice of Ezekiel (Continued) Ii by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks delves into the profound significance of God incarnating truth in His messengers, making them the message itself. He emphasizes the close identity between the pers |
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Set "For a Sign" by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes that true consecration to God involves becoming a sign of His wisdom and power to the world. He illustrates that just as Moses was a sign to the Israeli |
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The Divine Reaction by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the crisis faced by the early church as Paul prepares to depart, leaving Timothy and others to uphold the truth amidst moral laxity and spiritual declin |