Ezekiel 12:5
Ezekiel 12:5 in Multiple Translations
As they watch, dig through the wall and carry your belongings out through it.
Dig thou through the wall in their sight, and carry out thereby.
Dig thou through the wall in their sight, and carry out thereby.
Make a hole in the wall, before their eyes, and go out through it.
While they go on watching, knock down part of the wall of your house and take your belongings out through the hole.
Dig thou through the wall in their sight, and cary out thereby.
Before their eyes dig for thee through the wall, and thou hast brought forth by it.
Dig through the wall in their sight, and carry your baggage out that way.
Dig thou through the wall in their sight, and carry out thereby.
Dig thee a way through the wall before their eyes: and thou shalt go forth through it.
Dig through thecity wall and take your things through the hole.
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 12:5
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 12:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
לְ/עֵינֵי/הֶ֖ם
חֲתָר
לְ/ךָ֣
בַ/קִּ֑יר
וְ/הוֹצֵאתָ֖
בּֽ/וֹ
לְ/עֵינֵי/הֶ֖ם
ʻayin
H5869
eye
Prep | N-cd | Suff
חֲתָר
châthar
H2864
to dig
V-Qal-Impv-2ms
לְ/ךָ֣
Prep | Suff
בַ/קִּ֑יר
qîyr
H7023
wall
Prep | N-ms
וְ/הוֹצֵאתָ֖
yâtsâʼ
H3318
to come out
Conj | V-Hiphil-2ms
בּֽ/וֹ
Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 12:5
לְ/עֵינֵי/הֶ֖ם
ʻayin
H5869
"eye"
Prep | N-cd | Suff
This word can mean a spring or fountain, but also refers to the eye or a source of something. It is often translated as affliction, outward appearance, or countenance, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : eye 1) eye 1a) eye 1a1) of physical eye 1a2) as showing mental qualities 1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 828 OT verses. KJV: affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves). See also: Genesis 3:5; Exodus 34:9; Deuteronomy 28:67.
חֲתָר
châthar
H2864
"to dig"
V-Qal-Impv-2ms
To dig or force a passage, like a burglar breaking in, or to row a boat with oars, as seen in the KJV translation of Exodus.
Definition: 1) to dig, row 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to dig (into houses-of burglary) 1a2) to row (in water)
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: dig (through), row. See also: Job 24:16; Ezekiel 12:7; Jonah 1:13.
לְ/ךָ֣
""
Prep | Suff
בַ/קִּ֑יר
qîyr
H7023
"wall"
Prep | N-ms
In the Bible, this word means a wall, often referring to the walls of houses, chambers, or even the altar. It is used to describe structures built for protection or division. The KJV translates it as wall or side.
Definition: 1) wall, side 1a) wall (of house or chamber) 1b) the sides (of the altar)
Usage: Occurs in 64 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] mason, side, town, [idiom] very, wall. See also: Exodus 30:3; 2 Chronicles 3:11; Psalms 62:4.
וְ/הוֹצֵאתָ֖
yâtsâʼ
H3318
"to come out"
Conj | V-Hiphil-2ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to go out or come out, and it's used in many different ways, like leaving a place or starting a new journey, as seen in Genesis and Exodus.
Definition: : come/go_out/escape 1) to go out, come out, exit, go forth 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come out or forth, depart 1a2) to go forth (to a place) 1a3) to go forward, proceed to (to or toward something) 1a4) to come or go forth (with purpose or for result) 1a5) to come out of 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out 1b2) to bring out of 1b3) to lead out 1b4) to deliver 1c) (Hophal) to be brought out or forth
Usage: Occurs in 991 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter. See also: Genesis 1:12; Exodus 9:33; Leviticus 26:45.
בּֽ/וֹ
""
Prep | Suff
Study Notes — Ezekiel 12:5
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Ezekiel 12:5 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 12:5
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 12:5
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 12:5
- Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 12:5
- Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 12:5
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 12:5
- Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 12:5
- Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 12:5
Context — Signs of the Coming Captivity
3Therefore, son of man, pack your bags for exile. In broad daylight, set out from your place and go to another as they watch. Perhaps they will understand, though they are a rebellious house.
4Bring out your baggage for exile by day, as they watch. Then in the evening, as they watch, go out like those who go into exile.
5As they watch, dig through the wall and carry your belongings out through it.
6And 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.” 7So I did as I was commanded. I brought out my bags for exile by day, and in the evening I dug through the wall by hand. I took my belongings out at dusk, carrying them on my shoulder as they watched.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Kings 25:4 | Then the city was breached; and though the Chaldeans had surrounded the city, all the men of war fled by night by way of the gate between the two walls near the king’s garden. They headed toward the Arabah, |
| 2 | Jeremiah 39:2–4 | And on the ninth day of the fourth month of Zedekiah’s eleventh year, the city was breached. Then all the officials of the king of Babylon entered and sat in the Middle Gate: Nergal-sharezer of Samgar, Nebo-sarsekim the Rabsaris, Nergal-sharezer the Rabmag, and all the rest of the officials of the king of Babylon. When Zedekiah king of Judah and all the soldiers saw them, they fled. They left the city at night by way of the king’s garden, through the gate between the two walls, and they went out along the route to the Arabah. |
Ezekiel 12:5 Summary
In Ezekiel 12:5, God instructs Ezekiel to dig through a wall and carry his belongings out as the people watch, which was a powerful symbol of the judgment and exile that God would bring upon the rebellious house of Israel. This act was meant to convey the seriousness of the situation and to encourage the Israelites to repent and turn back to God, as seen in Ezekiel 12:3-4. Just as Ezekiel had to trust God and follow His commands, even when they seemed unusual or difficult, we can learn to trust God and follow His will for our lives, as expressed in Romans 12:1-2. By doing so, we can be a witness to those around us and point them to God's love and redemption, just as Ezekiel was a sign to the house of Israel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Ezekiel have to dig through the wall to carry his belongings out?
Ezekiel had to dig through the wall to symbolize the secret escape of the Israelites from the siege of Jerusalem, as prophesied in Ezekiel 12:5, and to illustrate the desperate measures they would have to take to survive, much like the Israelites in the Exodus from Egypt, as seen in Exodus 12:31-33.
What is the significance of Ezekiel carrying his belongings out through the wall as the people watch?
The act of Ezekiel carrying his belongings out through the wall as the people watch serves as a visual representation of the judgment and exile that God would bring upon the rebellious house of Israel, as stated in Ezekiel 12:3-4, and it emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's commands, as seen in Deuteronomy 28:1-2.
How does this verse relate to the overall message of Ezekiel 12?
This verse is part of a larger object lesson in Ezekiel 12, where Ezekiel is instructed to act out the siege and exile of Jerusalem to convey God's message of judgment and restoration to the Israelites, as seen in Ezekiel 12:1-7, and it highlights the urgency and seriousness of the situation, as emphasized in Ezekiel 12:6.
What can we learn from Ezekiel's obedience to God's commands in this verse?
Ezekiel's obedience to God's commands, even when they seem unusual or difficult, demonstrates his trust and faith in God's sovereignty, as seen in Ezekiel 12:7, and it encourages us to follow God's will, as expressed in Romans 12:1-2, and to trust in His goodness and wisdom, as stated in Psalm 37:3-7.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can demonstrate my trust in God's sovereignty, even in difficult or uncertain circumstances?
- How can I use my daily life and actions to be a witness to others, just as Ezekiel used his actions to convey God's message to the Israelites?
- What are some 'walls' that I need to 'dig through' in my own life, and how can I trust God to guide me through those challenges?
- In what ways can I be a 'sign' to those around me, pointing them to God's love and redemption, as Ezekiel was a sign to the house of Israel?
- How can I balance the need to be obedient to God's commands with the need to be sensitive to the needs and perspectives of those around me?
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 12:5
Dig thou through the wall in their sight,.... The wall of the house where he was, as an emblem of the city of Jerusalem closely besieged, from whence there was no escape but by digging through the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 12:5
Dig thou through the wall in their sight, and carry out thereby. Dig thou through the wall in their sight. As Zedekiah was to escape like one digging through a wall, furtively to effect an escape (Ezekiel 12:12).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 12:5
Come not through the door, but, as one who knows there is a watch and guard upon the door, get to some back part of thy house, and dig there, , thyself, either to make the greater haste, or to keep all secret; for all will be little enough for them that must act what thou dost represent. Thereby; through the hole thou hast dug.
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 12:5
Ezekiel 12:5 Dig thou through the wall in their sight, and carry out thereby.Ver. 5. Dig through the wall.] Make any shift. Necessitas magnum telum. He that digged Mortimer’ s hole, as they call it, at Nottingham Castle, earned his liberty dearly. God might have said to the prophet at once, Get thee gone out of thy country - how sad a thing that is Ovid when banished setteth forth in many elegant elegies, sed cuncta per partes digerit - but he must do it piecemeal and by degrees, that it may the more affect them.
Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 12:5
(5) Dig thou through the wall.—This is a sub sequent action, as shown by Ezekiel 12:7. The wall was probably of adobe, sun-dried brick, the common building material of the country, and there was, therefore, no great difficulty in digging through it; but this way of entering the house indicates something of stealth and secrecy. He was to carry forth his goods openly through his door during the day, and then to re-enter at evening, and secretly to carry forth those things which he would not otherwise be allowed to take away.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 12:5
Verse 5. Dig thou through the wall] This refers to the manner in which Zedekiah and his family would escape from the city. They escaped by night through a breach in the wall. See Jeremiah 39:2-4; and 2Kg 25:4.
Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 12:5
5. Dig through the wall] Naturally the “wall” is not the wall of his house, but the city wall. He brought out his articles of flight by day, making them ready for the night-time when he was to escape through the wall. It is absurd to suppose, as is usually done, that he carried his things back into the house, and digged through the wall of his house in the evening. This would mar the action and be ridiculous. The “wall” is the city wall. The question whether Tel Abib was a walled place is of no importance, because the actions were probably not actually performed.
Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 12:5
5, 6. Dig thou through the wall… and carry it [LXX., go] forth in the twilight — Or, darkness (Genesis 15:17).