Ezekiel 17:12
Say now to the rebellious house, Know ye not what these things mean? tell them, Behold, the king of Babylon is come to Jerusalem, and hath taken the king thereof, and the princes thereof, and led them with him to Babylon;
Original Language Analysis
נָא֙
H4994
נָא֙
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
2 of 23
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
לְבֵ֣ית
house
H1004
לְבֵ֣ית
house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
3 of 23
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
הַמֶּ֔רִי
now to the rebellious
H4805
הַמֶּ֔רִי
now to the rebellious
Strong's:
H4805
Word #:
4 of 23
bitterness, i.e., (figuratively) rebellion; concretely, bitter, or rebellious
הֲלֹ֥א
H3808
הֲלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 23
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יְדַעְתֶּ֖ם
Know
H3045
יְדַעְתֶּ֖ם
Know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
6 of 23
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
מָה
H4100
מָה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
7 of 23
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
בָּבֶֽלָה׃
of Babylon
H894
בָּבֶֽלָה׃
of Babylon
Strong's:
H894
Word #:
13 of 23
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙
to Jerusalem
H3389
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙
to Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
14 of 23
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
וַיִּקַּ֤ח
and hath taken
H3947
וַיִּקַּ֤ח
and hath taken
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
15 of 23
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
16 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
18 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
שָׂרֶ֔יהָ
thereof and the princes
H8269
שָׂרֶ֔יהָ
thereof and the princes
Strong's:
H8269
Word #:
19 of 23
a head person (of any rank or class)
Cross References
Ezekiel 24:19And the people said unto me, Wilt thou not tell us what these things are to us, that thou doest so?Ezekiel 1:2In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin's captivity,Ezekiel 17:3And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; A great eagle with great wings, longwinged, full of feathers, which had divers colours, came unto Lebanon, and took the highest branch of the cedar:
Historical Context
The 597 BC deportation is well-documented. Babylonian chronicles record Nebuchadnezzar's capture of Jerusalem (March 16, 597 BC). He took King Jehoiachin, officials, craftsmen, warriors—approximately 10,000 people including Ezekiel (2 Kings 24:10-17). Archaeological discoveries list rations for 'Jehoiachin, king of Judah.'
Questions for Reflection
- What spiritual dullness prevents us from recognizing God's clear messages?
- How can we move from 'rebellious house' to obedient household of faith?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
'Know ye not what these things mean?' implies they should have understood from the parable's symbolism. Their spiritual dullness reflects the hardening Isaiah prophesied (Matthew 13:13-15). 'Rebellious house' (Hebrew bayit meri) appears 15 times in Ezekiel, characterizing Israel's fundamental disposition. God's provision of interpretation demonstrates patience even with rebels.