Ezekiel 12:7
And I did so as I was commanded: I brought forth my stuff by day, as stuff for captivity, and in the even I digged through the wall with mine hand; I brought it forth in the twilight, and I bare it upon my shoulder in their sight.
Ezekiel 12:7 · King James Version
Meaning
This verse comes from the book of Ezekiel in the Old Testament of the Bible. In this passage, the prophet Ezekiel is speaking about a symbolic action that he was instructed to carry out by God. The verse describes how Ezekiel gathered his belongings during the day, as if preparing for captivity, and then dug through a wall in the evening, bringing his possessions out in the twilight and carrying them on his shoulder in full view of others.
Interpreting this verse requires understanding the context in which it was written. During this time, Ezekiel was living in a time of great turmoil and uncertainty for the people of Israel. The prophet's actions were meant to serve as a powerful visual metaphor for the impending destruction and exile that the Israelites would face. By carrying out this symbolic act, Ezekiel was demonstrating the suffering and hardship that the people would endure as a consequence of their disobedience to God.
Overall, this verse serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the importance of obedience and faithfulness. It is a warning to the Israelites - and to readers today - to heed God's commands and avoid the pitfalls of sin and disobedience. The verse serves as a powerful testament to the consequences of straying from God's path and the need for repentance and redemption.
Theological Overview
In this verse, the prophet Ezekiel is recounting a symbolic action that God commanded him to perform as a sign to the people of Israel. The act of bringing forth his belongings during the day, as if for captivity, and then digging through the wall at night, represents the impending capture and exile of the Israelites. The gradual transition from day to twilight to darkness symbolizes the gradual unfolding of the judgment and punishment that was to come upon the people. By bearing his belongings on his shoulder in the sight of the people, Ezekiel was acting out the burden that the Israelites would soon bear as they were taken into captivity. This visual demonstration served as a powerful message from God, warning the people of the consequences of their disobedience and calling them to repentance and obedience. Through this symbolic act, God was communicating a message of judgment, but also offering a path to redemption and restoration if the people turned back to Him.
Ezekiel 12:7 in other translations
American Standard Version
And I did so as I was commanded: I brought forth my stuff by day, as stuff for removing, and in the even I digged through the wall with my hand; I brought it forth in the dark, and bare it upon my shoulder in their sight.
World English Bible
I did so as I was commanded: I brought out my stuff by day, as stuff for removing, and in the even I dug through the wall with my hand; I brought it out in the dark, and bore it on my shoulder in their sight.
Douay-Rheims
I did therefore as he had commanded me: I brought forth my goods by day, as the goods of one that removeth: and in the evening I digged through the wall with my hand, and I went forth in the dark, and was carried on men's shoulders in their sight.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And as I was commanded, so I brought forth my stuffe by day, as ye stuffe of one that goeth into captiuitie: and by night I digged through the wall with mine hand, and brought it forth in ye darke, and I bare it vpon my shoulder in their sight.