Ezekiel 4:15

← Ezekiel 4:14 Ezekiel 4:16 →

Ezekiel 4:15 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

“Look,” He replied, “I will let you use cow dung instead of human excrement, and you may bake your bread over that.”

King James Version KJV

Then he said unto me, Lo, I have given thee cow’s dung for man’s dung, and thou shalt prepare thy bread therewith.

American Standard Version ASV

Then he said unto me, See, I have given thee cow’s dung for man’s dung, and thou shalt prepare thy bread thereon.

Bible in Basic English BBE

Then he said to me, See, I have given you cow's waste in place of man's waste, and you will make your bread ready on it.

Free Bible Version FBV

“All right,” he said. “I'll let you use cow manure instead of human excrement You can bake your bread over a fire using that.”

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Then he said vnto me, Loe, I haue giuen thee bullockes dongue for mans dongue, and thou shalt prepare thy bread therewith.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And He saith unto me, 'See, I have given to thee bullock's dung instead of man's dung, and thou hast made thy bread by it.'

World English Bible WEB

Then he said to me, “Behold, I have given you cow’s dung for man’s dung, and you shall prepare your bread on it.”

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Then he said to me, Lo, I have given thee cow's dung for man's dung, and thou shalt prepare thy bread with them.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And he said to me: Behold I have given thee neat’s dung for man’s dung, and thou shalt make thy bread therewith.

Translation for Translators T4T

Yahweh replied, “Okay, I will allow you to bake your bread using dried cow manure instead of human dungfor fuel.”

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

Enable Study Highlights

God & Jesus

Holy Spirit

Divine Actions

Repeated Words

Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 4:15

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 4:15 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וַ/יֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלַ֔/י רְאֵ֗ה נָתַ֤תִּֽי לְ/ךָ֙ אֶת צפועי צְפִיעֵ֣י הַ/בָּקָ֔ר תַּ֖חַת גֶּלְלֵ֣י הָֽ/אָדָ֑ם וְ/עָשִׂ֥יתָ אֶֽת לַחְמְ/ךָ֖ עֲלֵי/הֶֽם

וַ/יֹּ֣אמֶר ʼâmar H559 to say Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

אֵלַ֔/י ʼêl H413 to(wards) Prep | Suff

רְאֵ֗ה râʼâh H7200 Provider V-Qal-Impv-2ms

נָתַ֤תִּֽי nâthan H5414 to give V-Qal-Perf-1cs

לְ/ךָ֙ Prep | Suff

אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM

צפועי tsᵉphûwaʻ H6832 dung N-mp

צְפִיעֵ֣י tsᵉphûwaʻ H6832 dung N-mp

הַ/בָּקָ֔ר bâqâr H1241 cattle Art | N-cs

תַּ֖חַת tachath H8478 underneath Prep

גֶּלְלֵ֣י gêlel H1561 dung N-mp

הָֽ/אָדָ֑ם ʼâdâm H120 the man (Adam) Art | N-ms

וְ/עָשִׂ֥יתָ ʻâsâh H6213 to make Conj | V-Qal-2ms

אֶֽת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM

לַחְמְ/ךָ֖ lechem H3899 food N-cs | Suff

עֲלֵי/הֶֽם ʻal H5921 upon Prep | Suff

Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.

Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 4:15

וַ/יֹּ֣אמֶר ʼâmar H559 "to say" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

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.

אֵלַ֔/י ʼêl H413 "to(wards)" Prep | Suff

This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.

Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)

Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.

רְאֵ֗ה râʼâh H7200 "Provider" V-Qal-Impv-2ms

The Hebrew word for provider means to see or look after, and is used to describe God's care for his people. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Genesis and other books.

Definition: (Lord will) Provide, cause to be seen. This name means to see, look at, inspect, look after

Usage: Occurs in 1206 OT verses. KJV: advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 41:41; Exodus 33:13.

נָתַ֤תִּֽי nâthan H5414 "to give" V-Qal-Perf-1cs

This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.

Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon

Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.

לְ/ךָ֙ "" Prep | Suff

אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM

In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

צפועי tsᵉphûwaʻ H6832 "dung" N-mp

Tsphuwa means dung or excrement, referring to the waste of cattle or other animals. In the Bible, it is used to describe something worthless or unclean.

Definition: dung (of cattle), manure, cattle dung

Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: dung. See also: Ezekiel 4:15.

צְפִיעֵ֣י tsᵉphûwaʻ H6832 "dung" N-mp

Tsphuwa means dung or excrement, referring to the waste of cattle or other animals. In the Bible, it is used to describe something worthless or unclean.

Definition: dung (of cattle), manure, cattle dung

Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: dung. See also: Ezekiel 4:15.

הַ/בָּקָ֔ר bâqâr H1241 "cattle" Art | N-cs

Domesticated cattle or oxen, used for work or sacrifice, like the animals used in the temple sacrifices in 1 Kings 8:63.

Definition: 1) cattle, herd, oxen, ox 1a) cattle (generic pl. but sing. in form-coll) 1b) herd (particular one) 1c) head of cattle (individually)

Usage: Occurs in 172 OT verses. KJV: beeve, bull ([phrase] -ock), [phrase] calf, [phrase] cow, great (cattle), [phrase] heifer, herd, kine, ox. See also: Genesis 12:16; Deuteronomy 8:13; Psalms 66:15.

תַּ֖חַת tachath H8478 "underneath" Prep

This Hebrew word means underneath or below, often used to describe physical locations or positions. It appears in various books, including Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to indicate something is under or beneath something else. The word has several related meanings.

Definition: : under/below 1) the under part, beneath, instead of, as, for, for the sake of, flat, unto, where, whereas n m 1a) the under part adv accus 1b) beneath prep 1c) under, beneath 1c1) at the foot of (idiom) 1c2) sweetness, subjection, woman, being burdened or oppressed (fig) 1c3) of subjection or conquest 1d) what is under one, the place in which one stands 1d1) in one's place, the place in which one stands (idiom with reflexive pronoun) 1d2) in place of, instead of (in transferred sense) 1d3) in place of, in exchange or return for (of things mutually interchanged) conj 1e) instead of, instead of that 1f) in return for that, because that in compounds 1g) in, under, into the place of (after verbs of motion) 1h) from under, from beneath, from under the hand of, from his place, under, beneath

Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: as, beneath, [idiom] flat, in(-stead), (same) place (where...is), room, for...sake, stead of, under, [idiom] unto, [idiom] when...was mine, whereas, (where-) fore, with. See also: Genesis 1:7; Deuteronomy 7:24; 1 Kings 20:42.

גֶּלְלֵ֣י gêlel H1561 "dung" N-mp

The Hebrew word refers to dung or a ball of dung, often used as fertilizer. It is mentioned in the Bible as something unclean and worthless, as seen in the book of Ezekiel.

Definition: dung, ball of dung

Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: dung. See also: Job 20:7; Ezekiel 4:15; Zephaniah 1:17.

הָֽ/אָדָ֑ם ʼâdâm H120 "the man (Adam)" Art | N-ms

Adam was the first human, created by God and mentioned in Genesis 2:19, who married Eve and had sons including Cain, Abel, and Seth.

Definition: The first named man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.2.19; married to Eve (H2332); father of: Cain (H7014B), Abel (H1893) and Seth (H8352); also translated "man" at Gen.2.19,21,23; 3.8,9,20; 5.2; "mankind" at Deu.32.8; "others" at Job.31.33; Another spelling of a.dam (אָדָם "Adam" H0121) man, human being

Usage: Occurs in 526 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low, man (mean, of low degree), person. See also: Genesis 1:26; Judges 18:7; Psalms 8:5.

וְ/עָשִׂ֥יתָ ʻâsâh H6213 "to make" Conj | V-Qal-2ms

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.

אֶֽת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

לַחְמְ/ךָ֖ lechem H3899 "food" N-cs | Suff

This Hebrew word refers to food, especially bread or grain. It's used throughout the Bible to describe meals, sacrifices, and daily life, highlighting the importance of food in ancient Israelite culture.

Definition: : food(eating) 1) bread, food, grain 1a) bread 1a1) bread 1a2) bread-corn 1b) food (in general)

Usage: Occurs in 277 OT verses. KJV: (shew-) bread, [idiom] eat, food, fruit, loaf, meat, victuals. See also: Genesis 3:19; 1 Samuel 20:34; Psalms 14:4.

עֲלֵי/הֶֽם ʻal H5921 "upon" Prep | Suff

This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.

Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)

Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.

Study Notes — Ezekiel 4:15

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Ezekiel 4:15 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 4:15
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 4:15
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 4:15
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 4:15
Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 4:15
Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 4:15
Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 4:15

Context — The Defiled Bread

13Then the LORD said, “This is how the Israelites will eat their defiled bread among the nations to which I will banish them.” 14“Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I have never defiled myself. From my youth until now I have not eaten anything found dead or mauled by wild beasts. No unclean meat has ever entered my mouth.”

15“Look,” He replied, “I will let you use cow dung instead of human excrement, and you may bake your bread over that.”

16Then He told me, “Son of man, I am going to cut off the supply of food in Jerusalem. They will anxiously eat bread rationed by weight, and in despair they will drink water by measure. 17So they will lack food and water; they will be appalled at the sight of one another wasting away in their iniquity.

Ezekiel 4:15 Summary

In Ezekiel 4:15, God allows Ezekiel to use cow dung instead of human excrement to bake his bread, showing His mercy and understanding. This act symbolizes the shame and defilement the Israelites would experience in exile, as seen in Ezekiel 4:13. Just like Ezekiel, we may face difficult or unpleasant situations, but God is willing to listen and provide alternatives, as seen in (Exodus 3:11-12). By turning to God and trusting in His plan, we can find restoration and healing, as promised in (Psalm 23:3-4).

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did God allow Ezekiel to use cow dung instead of human excrement?

God allowed Ezekiel to use cow dung as a compromise, showing His mercy and understanding of Ezekiel's concerns, as seen in Ezekiel 4:14 where Ezekiel expressed his distaste for using human excrement, similar to the way God heard the concerns of the Israelites in Exodus 16:12.

What is the significance of baking bread over dung?

Baking bread over dung was a humiliating and unclean act, symbolizing the defilement and shame the Israelites would experience in exile, as mentioned in Ezekiel 4:13, and it serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin, as seen in Deuteronomy 28:15-68.

How does this verse relate to the overall message of Ezekiel?

This verse is part of a larger prophetic message warning the Israelites of the consequences of their sin and rebellion against God, as seen in Ezekiel 4:13, and it serves as a call to repentance and restoration, similar to the message in Isaiah 1:16-20.

What can we learn from Ezekiel's initial reluctance to use human excrement?

Ezekiel's reluctance shows that even in obedience to God, we may have concerns and questions, but God is willing to listen and provide alternatives, as seen in Ezekiel 4:14-15, and this is similar to the way God responded to Moses' concerns in Exodus 3:11-12.

Reflection Questions

How do I respond when God asks me to do something that seems difficult or unpleasant, and what can I learn from Ezekiel's example?
What are some ways that I may be experiencing 'defilement' or 'shame' in my own life, and how can I turn to God for restoration and healing, as seen in Psalm 51:1-19?
In what ways can I identify with the Israelites' experience of exile and separation from God, and how can I apply the lessons of Ezekiel 4:15 to my own life, as seen in 2 Corinthians 5:18-21?
How can I balance my own concerns and questions with a willingness to obey God, even when His commands seem challenging or unclear, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6?

Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 4:15

Then he said to me,.... The Lord hearkened to the prophet's prayer and argument, and makes some abatement and alteration in the charge he gave him: lo, I have given thee cow's dung for man's dung:

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 4:15

Then he said unto me, Lo, I have given thee cow's dung for man's dung, and thou shalt prepare thy bread therewith.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 4:15

So soon as he prayed God answered, and condescends to Ezekiel that he should use what was less abominable than man’ s dung; but it was not granted to the Jews, who in the siege at Jerusalem did much worse things, and more detestable, reduced to it by straits, as 2:11,12,20.

Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 4:15

Ezekiel 4:15 Then he said unto me, Lo, I have given thee cow’ s dung for man’ s dung, and thou shalt prepare thy bread therewith. Ver. 15. Lo, I have given thee cow’ s dung.] This was some mitigation. Something God will yield to his praying people when most bitterly bent against them.

Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 4:15

(15) Cow’s dung.—In the scarcity of fuel in the East, cow’s dung and especially camel’s dung, is dried, and becomes the common fuel.

Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 4:15

9–17. Symbol of scarcity during the siege and pollution in the dispersion from having to eat unclean things among the Gentiles The passage continues Ezekiel 4:8. The prophet is commanded (while lying immovably on his side in siege) to take of all kinds of grain, coarse as well as fine, of everything that will still hunger, and cast them into one vessel. These are to be baked into cakes and fired with hot ashes of men’s dung, though on the prophet’s entreaty a relaxation of this repulsive condition is granted and he is allowed to substitute the dung of cows. These cakes are to be eaten sparingly in small quantity from time to time, and water drunk with them sparingly. And this use of the cakes so prepared is to continue all the time that the prophet lies on his side. These actions symbolize first, great scarcity and straitness during the siege (Ezekiel 4:16-17); and secondly, pollution from eating unclean things in the exile among the nations (Ezekiel 4:13).

Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 4:15

14, 15. Ezekiel, a priest, was well acquainted with the Levitical legislation (Leviticus 17:15; Leviticus 22:8), and had been an ardent keeper of the law (Leviticus 7:18; Leviticus 7:24; Leviticus 11:39-40; Leviticus 19:7).