Ezekiel 12:5
Dig thou through the wall in their sight, and carry out thereby.
Original Language Analysis
לְעֵינֵיהֶ֖ם
in their sight
H5869
לְעֵינֵיהֶ֖ם
in their sight
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
1 of 6
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
חֲתָר
Dig
H2864
חֲתָר
Dig
Strong's:
H2864
Word #:
2 of 6
to force a passage, as by burglary; figuratively, with oars
Historical Context
During Babylon's siege, Jerusalem's desperate population attempted escape through various means. King Zedekiah and his army tried escaping through a breach in the wall by night (2 Kings 25:4). Ezekiel's wall-digging prophecy specifically foreshadowed this futile escape attempt. The prophecy's literal fulfillment proved God knew future events precisely and revealed them through His prophet.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the wall-digging symbolize human attempts to escape divine judgment?
- What does the futility of escape teach about judgment's inevitability?
- In what ways do people today try to 'dig through walls' to avoid facing God?
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Analysis & Commentary
"Dig thou through the wall in their sight, and carry out thereby." Ezekiel must dig through his house wall and exit through the hole—symbolizing escape attempts during siege. This dramatic action would be shocking and memorable. The wall-digging represents desperate measures during Jerusalem's siege when trapped residents tried breaching walls to escape. The public performance ("in their sight") ensures the message isn't missed.