Ezekiel 12 10

Ezekiel 12:10 kjv

Say thou unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; This burden concerneth the prince in Jerusalem, and all the house of Israel that are among them.

Ezekiel 12:10 nkjv

Say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "This burden concerns the prince in Jerusalem and all the house of Israel who are among them." '

Ezekiel 12:10 niv

"Say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: This prophecy concerns the prince in Jerusalem and all the Israelites who are there.'

Ezekiel 12:10 esv

Say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: This oracle concerns the prince in Jerusalem and all the house of Israel who are in it.'

Ezekiel 12:10 nlt

Say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: These actions contain a message for King Zedekiah in Jerusalem and for all the people of Israel.'

Ezekiel 12 verses

Ezekiel 12 10 Meaning

This verse clarifies the specific target of Ezekiel's preceding symbolic actions (Ezek 12:3-9), which depicted an individual preparing for exile, digging through a wall, and being led away with covered face. It reveals that the divinely declared "burden" or solemn oracle of judgment is precisely aimed at the prince, specifically King Zedekiah, who ruled in Jerusalem, and indeed, all the remaining people of the house of Israel residing within the city. It underscores the imminent and inescapable judgment awaiting Jerusalem's leadership and inhabitants, debunking any false hope of security.

Ezekiel 12 10 Context

Ezekiel 12 opens with God commissioning Ezekiel to perform an act-prophecy (Ezek 12:1-2), a common ancient Near Eastern method of communication, for a "rebellious house"—the exiles in Babylon who struggled to believe God's message. Verses 3-9 describe Ezekiel symbolically preparing for exile by packing a bag, digging through his wall at twilight, and being led away with his face covered, as if blindfolded. This dramatic street theatre was meant to illustrate the precise events that would soon befall King Zedekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Verse 10 serves as the divine interpretation, explicitly revealing that the 'prince' refers to Zedekiah, and the acts describe the impending fall of Jerusalem and the king's futile attempt to escape, ultimately leading to his capture and exile. The historical backdrop is the time between the first Babylonian siege (597 BC) and the final fall of Jerusalem (586 BC), a period when those remaining in Jerusalem held a false hope of immunity, relying on human alliances rather than God.

Ezekiel 12 10 Word analysis

• Say to them: ʼE-mor ʼal-e-hem. A direct divine command to Ezekiel to verbalize the interpretation of his prophetic action. It emphasizes that this is not merely an object lesson, but an articulated message for the audience, ensuring no ambiguity.
• 'Thus says the Lord GOD: Koh 'amar 'Adonai YHWH. A quintessential prophetic formula, attesting to the divine authority and origin of the message. Adonai (My Lord) and YHWH (the covenant name, often rendered LORD) together emphasize both God's supreme authority and His covenant faithfulness, highlighting that this judgment comes from the sovereign God who keeps His promises (even of judgment). This declaration makes the message indisputable.
• This burden: Hamassaʼ haz-zot. The Hebrew massaʼ refers to a weighty oracle or pronouncement, often (though not exclusively) one concerning judgment or doom. It implies something heavy to bear or a prophetic pronouncement "lifted up." In this context, it is a serious and severe divine word regarding future calamity.
• concerns: ʼel. This preposition signifies direction "to" or "concerning," clearly marking the specific recipient and subject of the oracle. It establishes the direct applicability of the prophecy.
• the prince: Hannasiʼ. This is significant. Instead of melek (king), Ezekiel consistently uses nasiʼ for the rulers of Judah in this period. It potentially indicates a diminished royal status under Babylonian vassalage, anticipating the end of the Davidic monarchy (as traditionally understood). Later in Ezekiel, nasiʼ refers to an idealized, righteous future ruler (often interpreted Messianically), making its use here a poignant contrast to the wicked nasiʼ Zedekiah.
• in Jerusalem: Bi-Yeru-sha-layim. Precisely identifies the location and the current seat of Zedekiah's rule. It underscores the localized, specific nature of the impending judgment.
• and all the house of Israel: Ve-chol bet Yisraʼel. Expands the scope of the prophecy beyond just the king to include everyone who identifies as the people of God, remaining in Jerusalem. "House of Israel" often encompasses all Judah here in the post-Northern Kingdom context, referring to the entire remnant.
• who are among them: ʼasher be-to-cham. This phrase clarifies that the prophecy is for those currently residing with the prince in Jerusalem, the ones who had not yet been taken into exile and might feel safe. It specifically includes all residents who were clinging to the illusion of security.

Ezekiel 12 10 Bonus section

The detailed description of the prince's flight and capture in this chapter (Ezek 12:12-13) explicitly connects to this verse, prophesying his ultimate blindness and transportation to Babylon, a direct fulfillment recorded in 2 Kings 25 and Jeremiah 52. The specific choice of nasiʼ over melek is not merely a linguistic quirk but a theological statement by Ezekiel. It reflects the post-monarchic perspective and subtly reorients the reader toward a different form of divinely appointed leadership in the future, contrasting Zedekiah's failure with the righteous nasiʼ described in later chapters, who will truly shepherd God's people. The term massaʼ here connects this prophecy to a broader prophetic tradition, where God's pronouncements are not light advice but weighty, unavoidable divine decrees. The prophecy not only concerned Jerusalem but also its satellite villages or other cities in Judah which also fell.

Ezekiel 12 10 Commentary

Ezekiel 12:10 delivers the essential interpretation of the preceding, vivid act-prophecy, stripping away any potential misunderstanding for the exiled audience. It firmly establishes that the dramatic demonstration of preparing for escape and exile is a specific, imminent divine judgment aimed at Zedekiah, the last king of Judah (whom God pointedly calls "the prince," signaling a shift in divine recognition of his royal authority), and every person still living in Jerusalem. This revelation was crucial for the exiles in Babylon, confirming the inevitable downfall of those left behind and refuting any false hope of a swift return to Jerusalem. The clear "Thus says the Lord GOD" authenticates the grim reality, demonstrating God's sovereign control over historical events and His righteous judgment against national sin and rebellious leadership. It reminds us that God's prophetic word is always precise, targeting specific individuals and situations with clear consequences, especially for those in positions of leadership.