Ezekiel 12:6
In their sight shalt thou bear it upon thy shoulders, and carry it forth in the twilight: thou shalt cover thy face, that thou see not the ground: for I have set thee for a sign unto the house of Israel.
Original Language Analysis
לְעֵ֨ינֵיהֶ֜ם
In their sight
H5869
לְעֵ֨ינֵיהֶ֜ם
In their sight
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
1 of 17
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּתֵ֤ף
it upon thy shoulders
H3802
כָּתֵ֤ף
it upon thy shoulders
Strong's:
H3802
Word #:
3 of 17
the shoulder (proper, i.e., upper end of the arm; as being the spot where the garments hang); figuratively, side-piece or lateral projection of anythi
תִּשָּׂא֙
shalt thou bear
H5375
תִּשָּׂא֙
shalt thou bear
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
4 of 17
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
תוֹצִ֔יא
and carry it forth
H3318
תוֹצִ֔יא
and carry it forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
6 of 17
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
פָּנֶ֣יךָ
thy face
H6440
פָּנֶ֣יךָ
thy face
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
7 of 17
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
תְכַסֶּ֔ה
thou shalt cover
H3680
תְכַסֶּ֔ה
thou shalt cover
Strong's:
H3680
Word #:
8 of 17
properly, to plump, i.e., fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
9 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִרְאֶ֖ה
that thou see
H7200
תִרְאֶ֖ה
that thou see
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
10 of 17
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
13 of 17
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
נְתַתִּ֖יךָ
for I have set
H5414
נְתַתִּ֖יךָ
for I have set
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
15 of 17
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
Cross References
Ezekiel 4:3Moreover take thou unto thee an iron pan, and set it for a wall of iron between thee and the city: and set thy face against it, and it shall be besieged, and thou shalt lay siege against it. This shall be a sign to the house of Israel.Isaiah 8:18Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion.Ezekiel 24:24Thus Ezekiel is unto you a sign: according to all that he hath done shall ye do: and when this cometh, ye shall know that I am the Lord GOD.1 Samuel 28:8And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me him up, whom I shall name unto thee.
Historical Context
The covered face specifically foreshadowed Zedekiah's fate—captured during escape attempt, he witnessed his sons' execution before Babylonians blinded him (2 Kings 25:7; Ezekiel 12:13). He literally couldn't see the ground as led captive to Babylon. Ezekiel's prophecy predicted with uncanny precision the king's tragic end, demonstrating divine foreknowledge and prophetic accuracy.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the covered face symbolize the shame and blindness of judgment?
- What does being 'set as a sign' teach about prophetic ministry embodying God's message?
- In what ways should Christian living serve as living sign pointing others to gospel truth?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
"In their sight shalt thou bear it upon thy shoulders, and carry it forth in the twilight: thou shalt cover thy face, that thou see not the ground: for I have set thee for a sign unto the house of Israel." Ezekiel must carry baggage on shoulders with covered face "in twilight"—depicting shameful, furtive departure. Covering the face represents disgrace and inability to see where going—exile strips dignity and certainty. The final phrase "I have set thee for a sign" (mofet netatikha, מוֹפֵת נְתַתִּיךָ) designates Ezekiel's entire person as living prophetic symbol. His actions embody Israel's coming experience.