Ezekiel Chapter 12 · Verse 13

Authorized King James Version

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My net also will I spread upon him, and he shall be taken in my snare: and I will bring him to Babylon to the land of the Chaldeans; yet shall he not see it, though he shall die there.

Original Language Analysis

וּפָרַשְׂתִּ֤י also will I spread H6566
וּפָרַשְׂתִּ֤י also will I spread
Strong's: H6566
Word #: 1 of 16
to break apart, disperse, etc
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 2 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
רִשְׁתִּי֙ My net H7568
רִשְׁתִּי֙ My net
Strong's: H7568
Word #: 3 of 16
a net (as catching animals)
עָלָ֔יו H5921
עָלָ֔יו
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 4 of 16
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְנִתְפַּ֖שׂ upon him and he shall be taken H8610
וְנִתְפַּ֖שׂ upon him and he shall be taken
Strong's: H8610
Word #: 5 of 16
to manipulate, i.e., seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably
בִּמְצֽוּדָתִ֑י in my snare H4686
בִּמְצֽוּדָתִ֑י in my snare
Strong's: H4686
Word #: 6 of 16
a fastness
וְהֵבֵאתִ֨י and I will bring H935
וְהֵבֵאתִ֨י and I will bring
Strong's: H935
Word #: 7 of 16
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
אֹת֤וֹ H853
אֹת֤וֹ
Strong's: H853
Word #: 8 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בָבֶ֙לָה֙ him to Babylon H894
בָבֶ֙לָה֙ him to Babylon
Strong's: H894
Word #: 9 of 16
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
אֶ֣רֶץ to the land H776
אֶ֣רֶץ to the land
Strong's: H776
Word #: 10 of 16
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
כַּשְׂדִּ֔ים of the Chaldeans H3778
כַּשְׂדִּ֔ים of the Chaldeans
Strong's: H3778
Word #: 11 of 16
a kasdite, or descendant of kesed; by implication, a chaldaean (as if so descended); also an astrologer (as if proverbial of that people
וְאוֹתָ֥הּ H853
וְאוֹתָ֥הּ
Strong's: H853
Word #: 12 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לֹֽא H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 13 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִרְאֶ֖ה yet shall he not see H7200
יִרְאֶ֖ה yet shall he not see
Strong's: H7200
Word #: 14 of 16
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
וְשָׁ֥ם H8033
וְשָׁ֥ם
Strong's: H8033
Word #: 15 of 16
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
יָמֽוּת׃ it though he shall die H4191
יָמֽוּת׃ it though he shall die
Strong's: H4191
Word #: 16 of 16
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

Analysis & Commentary

"My net also will I spread upon him, and he shall be taken in my snare: and I will bring him to Babylon to the land of the Chaldeans; yet shall he not see it, though he shall die there." This verse precisely predicts Zedekiah's fate—captured ("taken in my snare"), brought to Babylon, yet not seeing it. The paradox resolves in Zedekiah's blinding (2 Kings 25:7)—he went to Babylon but couldn't see it. God's "net" and "snare" (rishti, רִשְׁתִּי; metzudati, מְצוּדָתִי) depict divine hunting—no escape exists when God decrees capture. The specific detail about not seeing Babylon demonstrates supernatural foreknowledge.

Historical Context

This prophecy's literal fulfillment is stunning. Zedekiah attempted escape during Babylon's siege but was captured near Jericho (2 Kings 25:4-5). At Riblah, he witnessed his sons' execution before Nebuchadnezzar blinded him and brought him to Babylon where he died in prison (2 Kings 25:7; Jeremiah 52:11). He literally went to Babylon but didn't see it. This precise fulfillment of seemingly paradoxical prophecy authenticated Ezekiel's divine inspiration and demonstrated God's sovereign control over history's details.

Questions for Reflection