Ezekiel 12:4
Then shalt thou bring forth thy stuff by day in their sight, as stuff for removing: and thou shalt go forth at even in their sight, as they that go forth into captivity.
Original Language Analysis
תֵּצֵ֤א
Then shalt thou bring forth
H3318
תֵּצֵ֤א
Then shalt thou bring forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
1 of 12
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
כִּכְלֵ֥י
as stuff
H3627
כִּכְלֵ֥י
as stuff
Strong's:
H3627
Word #:
2 of 12
something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
כִּכְלֵ֥י
as stuff
H3627
כִּכְלֵ֥י
as stuff
Strong's:
H3627
Word #:
3 of 12
something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
לְעֵ֣ינֵיהֶ֔ם
in their sight
H5869
לְעֵ֣ינֵיהֶ֔ם
in their sight
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
6 of 12
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
תֵּצֵ֤א
Then shalt thou bring forth
H3318
תֵּצֵ֤א
Then shalt thou bring forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
8 of 12
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
לְעֵ֣ינֵיהֶ֔ם
in their sight
H5869
לְעֵ֣ינֵיהֶ֔ם
in their sight
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
10 of 12
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
Cross References
Jeremiah 39:4And it came to pass, that when Zedekiah the king of Judah saw them, and all the men of war, then they fled, and went forth out of the city by night, by the way of the king's garden, by the gate betwixt the two walls: and he went out the way of the plain.Ezekiel 12:12And the prince that is among them shall bear upon his shoulder in the twilight, and shall go forth: they shall dig through the wall to carry out thereby: he shall cover his face, that he see not the ground with his eyes.2 Kings 25:4And the city was broken up, and all the men of war fled by night by the way of the gate between two walls, which is by the king's garden: (now the Chaldees were against the city round about:) and the king went the way toward the plain.Jeremiah 52:7Then the city was broken up, and all the men of war fled, and went forth out of the city by night by the way of the gate between the two walls, which was by the king's garden; (now the Chaldeans were by the city round about:) and they went by the way of the plain.
Historical Context
When Jerusalem fell (586 BC), this exact scenario occurred—residents packed minimal belongings and departed into captivity. King Zedekiah attempted escape by night (2 Kings 25:4) but was captured, fulfilling Ezekiel's specific prophecy (12:12-13). The sign-act's literal fulfillment within years vindicated Ezekiel's prophetic credentials, teaching that God's word always proves true.
Questions for Reflection
- How does enacted prophecy make abstract truths concrete and unavoidable?
- What does the specific timing and actions reveal about prophecy's precision?
- In what ways should biblical warnings be made tangible in our ministry and witness?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
"Then shalt thou bring forth thy stuff by day in their sight, as stuff for removing: and thou shalt go forth at even in their sight, as they that go forth into captivity." Ezekiel must publicly pack and depart, mimicking exiles' actions. The timing ("by day...at even") suggests full-day performance creating maximum visibility. "As stuff for removing" and "as they that go forth into captivity" emphasize exile's reality—not hypothetical threat but certain future. The enacted prophecy makes abstract warnings concrete and unavoidable.