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.
Original Language Analysis
מֽוֹפֶתְכֶ֑ם
I am your sign
H4159
מֽוֹפֶתְכֶ֑ם
I am your sign
Strong's:
H4159
Word #:
3 of 11
a miracle; by implication, a token or omen
כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 11
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יֵעָשֶׂ֣ה
like as I have done
H6213
יֵעָשֶׂ֣ה
like as I have done
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
5 of 11
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
כֵּ֚ן
H3651
כֵּ֚ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
6 of 11
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
יֵעָשֶׂ֣ה
like as I have done
H6213
יֵעָשֶׂ֣ה
like as I have done
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
7 of 11
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
בַּגּוֹלָ֥ה
unto them they shall remove
H1473
בַּגּוֹלָ֥ה
unto them they shall remove
Strong's:
H1473
Word #:
9 of 11
exile; concretely and collectively exiles
Cross References
Jeremiah 15:2And it shall come to pass, if they say unto thee, Whither shall we go forth? then thou shalt tell them, Thus saith the LORD; Such as are for death, to death; and such as are for the sword, to the sword; and such as are for the famine, to the famine; and such as are for the captivity, to the captivity.Jeremiah 52:15Then Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard carried away captive certain of the poor of the people, and the residue of the people that remained in the city, and those that fell away, that fell to the king of Babylon, and the rest of the multitude.
Historical Context
Prophetic signs weren't mere illustrations but enacted prophecies participating in bringing about what they depicted. Ezekiel's symbolic exile didn't just predict but began actualizing Jerusalem's coming captivity. When literal exile occurred (586 BC), those who witnessed Ezekiel's performance recognized the connection, validating both the prophet's credentials and God's control over history. The sign-act's fulfillment taught that God's word accomplishes its purpose (Isaiah 55:11).
Questions for Reflection
- How do prophetic signs differ from mere illustrations or object lessons?
- What does the direct correspondence (as I have done, so shall it be done) teach about God's word's certainty?
- In what ways do sacraments function as enacted signs that participate in spiritual realities?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
"Say, I am your sign: like as I have done, so shall it be done unto them: they shall remove and go into captivity." Ezekiel explicitly declares himself a prophetic sign—his enacted exile foreshadows Israel's actual exile. "Like as I have done, so shall it be done unto them" establishes direct correspondence between symbol and reality. The double description "remove and go into captivity" (ba-golah ba-shevi yelekhu) emphasizes exile's certainty using synonymous terms. This clear interpretation prevents ambiguity—the sign-act's meaning is unmistakable.