Ezekiel 20:47
Ezekiel 20:47 in Multiple Translations
Say to the forest of the Negev: Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Lord GOD says: I am about to ignite in you a fire, and it will devour all your trees, both green and dry. The blazing flame will not be quenched, and by it every face from south to north will be scorched.
And say to the forest of the south, Hear the word of the LORD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burned therein.
and say to the forest of the South, Hear the word of Jehovah: Thus saith the Lord Jehovah, Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burnt thereby.
And say to the woodland of the South, Give ear to the words of the Lord: this is what the Lord has said: See, I will have a fire lighted in you, for the destruction of every green tree in you and every dry tree: the flaming flame will not be put out, and all faces from the south to the north will be burned by it.
Tell the forest of the Negev: Listen to the word of the Lord! This is what the Lord God says: I am going to set you on fire, and it will burn up all your trees, both those that are living and those that are dead. The blaze won't be put out, and everything from the north to the south will be burned.
And say to the forest of the South, Heare the worde of the Lord: thus saith the Lord God, Beholde, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall deuoure all the greene wood in thee, and all the drie wood: the continuall flame shall not bee quenched, and euery face from the South to the North shall be burnt therein.
and thou hast said to the forest of the south: Hear a word of Jehovah: Thus said the Lord Jehovah: Lo, I am kindling in thee a fire, And it hath devoured in thee every moist tree, and every dry tree, Not quenched is the glowing flames, And burnt by it have been all faces from south to north.
Tell the forest of the south, ‘Hear the LORD’s word: The Lord GOD says, “Behold, I will kindle a fire in you, and it will devour every green tree in you, and every dry tree. The burning flame will not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north will be burned by it.
And say to the forest of the south, Hear the word of the LORD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burned therein.
And any to the south forest: Hear the word of the Lord: Thus saith the Lord God: Behold I will kindle a fire in thee, and will burn in thee every green tree, and every dry tree: the dame of the fire shall not be quenched: and every face shall be burned in it, from the south even to the north.
Say to the forest in the southpart of Israel: 'Listen to this message that Yahweh the Lord is saying about you: “I am about to start a fire in your midst, and it will burn up all your trees, both the green trees and the withered/dry trees. Nothing will extinguish the blazing flames. And the fire will scorch the faces of everyone who lives in that area, from the south to the north.
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 20:47
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Study Notes — Ezekiel 20:47
- Context
- Cross References
- Ezekiel 20:47 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 20:47
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 20:47
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 20:47
- Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 20:47
- Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 20:47
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 20:47
- Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 20:47
- Sermons on Ezekiel 20:47
Context — A Prophecy against the South
47Say to the forest of the Negev: Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Lord GOD says: I am about to ignite in you a fire, and it will devour all your trees, both green and dry. The blazing flame will not be quenched, and by it every face from south to north will be scorched.
48Then all people will see that I, the LORD, have kindled it; it will not be quenched.” 49Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD, they are saying of me, ‘Is he not just telling parables?’”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah 21:14 | I will punish you as your deeds deserve, declares the LORD. I will kindle a fire in your forest that will consume everything around you.’” |
| 2 | Isaiah 24:1–6 | Behold, the LORD lays waste the earth and leaves it in ruins. He will twist its surface and scatter its inhabitants— people and priest alike, servant and master, maid and mistress, buyer and seller, lender and borrower, creditor and debtor. The earth will be utterly laid waste and thoroughly plundered. For the LORD has spoken this word. The earth mourns and withers; the world languishes and fades; the exalted of the earth waste away. The earth is defiled by its people; they have transgressed the laws; they have overstepped the decrees and broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore a curse has consumed the earth, and its inhabitants must bear the guilt; the earth’s dwellers have been burned, and only a few survive. |
| 3 | Ezekiel 17:24 | Then all the trees of the field will know that I am the LORD. I bring the tall tree down and make the low tree tall. I dry up the green tree and make the withered tree flourish. I, the LORD, have spoken, and I have done it.’” |
| 4 | Luke 23:31 | For if men do these things while the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?” |
| 5 | Isaiah 9:18–19 | For wickedness burns like a fire that consumes the thorns and briers and kindles the forest thickets which roll upward in billows of smoke. By the wrath of the LORD of Hosts the land is scorched, and the people are fuel for the fire. No man even spares his brother. |
| 6 | Isaiah 30:33 | For Topheth has long been prepared; it has been made ready for the king. Its funeral pyre is deep and wide, with plenty of fire and wood. The breath of the LORD, like a torrent of burning sulfur, sets it ablaze. |
| 7 | Ezekiel 22:20–21 | Just as one gathers silver, copper, iron, lead, and tin into the furnace to melt with a fiery blast, so I will gather you in My anger and wrath, leave you there, and melt you. Yes, I will gather you together and blow on you with the fire of My wrath, and you will be melted within the city. |
| 8 | Ezekiel 15:6–7 | Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Like the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so I will give up the people of Jerusalem. And I will set My face against them. Though they may have escaped the fire, yet another fire will consume them. And when I set My face against them, you will know that I am the LORD. |
| 9 | Ezekiel 21:3–4 | and tell her that this is what the LORD says: ‘I am against you, and I will draw My sword from its sheath and cut off from you both the righteous and the wicked. Because I will cut off both the righteous and the wicked, My sword will be unsheathed against everyone from south to north. |
| 10 | Isaiah 66:24 | “As they go forth, they will see the corpses of the men who have rebelled against Me; for their worm will never die, their fire will never be quenched, and they will be a horror to all mankind.” |
Ezekiel 20:47 Summary
Ezekiel 20:47 is a warning from God to His people, telling them that He will send a fire of judgment upon them, consuming everything in its path. This fire represents God's wrath and judgment, similar to the refining fire mentioned in Malachi 3:2-3, where God purifies His people like silver. The fact that the fire will not be quenched and will scorch every face from south to north shows that God's judgment will be comprehensive and unstoppable, like the flood in Genesis 6-9, which destroyed the wicked and saved only the righteous. As we reflect on this verse, we are reminded to live righteous lives and seek God's mercy, lest we face His judgment (Psalm 103:13-14).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the forest of the Negev in Ezekiel 20:47?
The forest of the Negev is likely a reference to the nation of Israel, as seen in other prophetic passages such as Ezekiel 21:3, where God speaks of judging both the righteous and the wicked in Israel.
What does the fire in Ezekiel 20:47 represent?
The fire in Ezekiel 20:47 represents God's judgment and wrath upon His people, similar to the fire that consumes the chaff in Matthew 3:12, separating the righteous from the wicked.
Why does the fire in Ezekiel 20:47 not get quenched?
The fire in Ezekiel 20:47 does not get quenched because it is a symbol of God's unstoppable judgment, as seen in other passages such as Isaiah 1:31, where the fire of God's judgment burns until it has accomplished its purpose.
What is the significance of every face being scorched from south to north?
The scorching of every face from south to north in Ezekiel 20:47 signifies the comprehensive nature of God's judgment, affecting all people in the land, from one end to the other, much like the judgment described in Jeremiah 25:29.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which God's judgment can be seen in the world today, and how can we prepare ourselves for it?
- How does the image of fire in Ezekiel 20:47 make you think about the importance of living a righteous life, and what changes can you make to align yourself with God's will?
- In what ways can you apply the principle of God's unstoppable judgment to your own life, and what areas of your life need to be surrendered to Him?
- What does the comprehensive nature of God's judgment in Ezekiel 20:47 teach you about the importance of humility and seeking God's mercy?
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 20:47
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 20:47
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 20:47
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 20:47
Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 20:47
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 20:47
Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 20:47
Sermons on Ezekiel 20:47
| Sermon | Description | |
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In One Hour Everything Is Going to Change by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the speaker addresses the current state of faith among young people, particularly college students. He expresses concern that atheistic teachers and professors are |
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It's About Time by Vance Havner | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that it is about time for God to intervene and address the iniquities and inequities of society. He highlights the disrespect and disregard |
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Isaiah’s Apocalypse by Steve Gallagher | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the prophecy in Isaiah 24, which describes the destruction and chaos that will come upon the earth. The speaker emphasizes that everyone will |
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(Isaiah) Judgment and Praise in the Great Tribulation by David Guzik | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the scene of judgment and the distinction between the fate of the wicked and the righteous. The wicked will face destruction and desolation, |
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The Coming Storm by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes that God is shaking the world to awaken humanity from spiritual slumber, much like a parent gently shakes a sleeping child. He illustrates this divine sh |
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Coming Storm? by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson warns of an impending divine shaking that will affect the entire earth, as prophesied in Isaiah and echoed by other prophets like Ezekiel and Joel. He emphasizes th |
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Out of the Darkest Times by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes the prophetic warning of Isaiah regarding the impending upheaval of the world, where sudden judgment will lead to widespread destruction and transformati |