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.
"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
How does the paradox (brought to Babylon yet not seeing it) demonstrate supernatural prophetic knowledge?
What does God's net and snare teach about the impossibility of escaping divine judgment?
In what ways does precise prophetic fulfillment strengthen faith in Scripture's divine origin?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
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.