Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Put them on your shoulder as they are watching and carry them out at dusk. Cover your face so that you cannot see the land, for I have made you a sign to the Israelites.” New Living Translation As they watch, lift your pack to your shoulders and walk away into the night. Cover your face so you cannot see the land you are leaving. For I have made you a sign for the people of Israel.” English Standard Version In their sight you shall lift the baggage upon your shoulder and carry it out at dusk. You shall cover your face that you may not see the land, for I have made you a sign for the house of Israel.” Berean Standard Bible And as they watch, lift your bags to your shoulder and take them out at dusk; cover your face so that you cannot see the land. For I have made you a sign to the house of Israel.” Berean Literal Bible Before their eyes, you shall bear them on your shoulders in the darkness and carry them out; you shall cover your face so that you cannot see the land, for I have given you as a sign for the house of Israel.” King James Bible 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. New King James Version In their sight you shall bear them on your shoulders and carry them out at twilight; you shall cover your face, so that you cannot see the ground, for I have made you a sign to the house of Israel.” New American Standard Bible Load the baggage on your shoulder in their sight and carry it out in the dark. You shall cover your face so that you cannot see the land, for I have set you as a sign to the house of Israel.” NASB 1995 “Load the baggage on your shoulder in their sight and carry it out in the dark. You shall cover your face so that you cannot see the land, for I have set you as a sign to the house of Israel.” NASB 1977 “Load the baggage on your shoulder in their sight, and carry it out in the dark. You shall cover your face so that you can not see the land, for I have set you as a sign to the house of Israel.” Legacy Standard Bible In their sight, carry the baggage on your shoulder and bring it out in the dark. You shall cover your face so that you cannot see the land, for I have set you as a wondrous sign to the house of Israel.” Amplified Bible As they look on, load the provisions and supplies on your shoulder and carry it out in the dark. You shall cover your face so that you cannot see the land, for I have set you as a sign to the house of Israel.” Berean Annotated Bible And as they watch, lift your bags to your shoulder and take them out at dusk; cover your face so that you cannot see the land. For I have made you a sign to the house of Israel (he wrestles with God). Christian Standard Bible And while they look on, lift the bags to your shoulder and take them out in the dark; cover your face so that you cannot see the land. For I have made you a sign to the house of Israel.” Holman Christian Standard Bible And while they look on, lift the bags to your shoulder and take them out in the dark; cover your face so that you cannot see the land. For I have made you a sign to the house of Israel.” American Standard Version In their sight shalt thou bear it upon thy shoulder, and carry it forth in the dark; thou shalt cover thy face, that thou see not the land: for I have set thee for a sign unto the house of Israel. Contemporary English Version Lift the bag to your shoulders, and with your face covered, take it into the darkness, so that you cannot see the land you are leaving. All this will be a warning for the people of Israel. English Revised Version In their sight shalt thou bear it upon thy shoulder, and carry it forth in the dark; thou shalt cover thy face, that thou see not the ground: for I have set thee for a sign unto the house of Israel. GOD'S WORD® Translation Let them see you put your bags on your shoulders and carry them out in the dark. Cover your face so that you won't see the land. I've made you a sign to warn the nation of Israel." Good News Translation Let them watch you putting your pack on your shoulder and going out into the dark with your eyes covered, so that you can't see where you are going. What you do will be a warning to the Israelites." International Standard Version "While they're watching, carry your luggage on your shoulder and go out in total darkness. Cover your face so that you won't see the land, because I'm using you as a sign to Israel's house." NET Bible While they are watching, raise your baggage onto your shoulder and carry it out in the dark. You must cover your face so that you cannot see the ground because I have made you an object lesson to the house of Israel." New Heart English Bible In their sight you shall bear it on your shoulder, and carry it forth in the dark; you shall cover your face, so that you do not see the land: for I have set you for a sign to the house of Israel." Webster's Bible Translation In their sight shalt thou bear it upon thy shoulders, and carry it forth in the twilight: thou shalt cover thy face, that thou mayest not see the ground: for I have set thee for a sign to the house of Israel. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAnd as they watch, lift your bags to your shoulder and take them out at dusk; cover your face so that you cannot see the land. For I have made you a sign to the house of Israel.” World English Bible In their sight you shall bear it on your shoulder, and carry it out in the dark. You shall cover your face, so that you don’t see the land, for I have set you for a sign to the house of Israel.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionCarry on the shoulder before their eyes, bring forth in the darkness, cover your face, and you do not see the earth, for I have given you [as] a sign to the house of Israel.” Berean Literal Bible Before their eyes, you shall bear them on your shoulders in the darkness and carry them out; you shall cover your face so that you cannot see the land, for I have given you as a sign for the house of Israel.” Young's Literal Translation Before their eyes on the shoulder thou dost bear, in the darkness thou dost bring forth, thy face thou dost cover, and thou dost not see the earth, for a type I have given thee to the house of Israel.' Smith's Literal Translation Before their eyes upon the shoulder thou shalt lift up, in thick darkness thou shalt bring forth: thou shalt cover thy face, and thou shalt not see the earth: for I gave thee a wonder to the house of Israel. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleIn their sight thou shalt be carried out upon men's shoulders, thou shalt be carried out in the dark: thou shalt cover thy face, and shalt not see the ground: for I have set thee for a sign of things to come to the house of Israel. Catholic Public Domain Version In their sight, you shall be carried on shoulders, you shall be carried in the dark. You shall cover your face, and you shall not see the ground. For I have appointed you as a portent for the house of Israel.” New American Bible While they watch, shoulder your load and go out in darkness. Cover your face so you cannot see the land, for I am making you a sign for the house of Israel! New Revised Standard Version In their sight you shall lift the baggage on your shoulder, and carry it out in the dark; you shall cover your face, so that you may not see the land; for I have made you a sign for the house of Israel. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleTake the luggage on your shoulder and go forth in the dark; you shall cover your face, that you may not see the ground; for I have set you as a sign to the house of Israel. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And pick up the baggage on your shoulders and come out in thick darkness, and cover your face that you will not see the land, because I have set you as a sign for the house of Israel OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917In their sight shalt thou bear it upon thy shoulder, and carry it forth in the darkness; thou shalt cover thy face, that thou see not the ground; for I have set thee for a sign unto the house of Israel.' Brenton Septuagint Translation thou shalt be lifted up on men's shoulders, and shalt go forth in secret: thou shalt cover thy face, and shalt not see the ground: because I have made thee a sign to the house of Israel. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Signs of the Coming Captivity…5As they watch, dig through the wall and carry your belongings out through it. 6And as they watch, lift your bags to your shoulder and take them out at dusk; cover your face so that you cannot see the land. For I have made you a sign to the house of Israel.” 7So I did as I was commanded. I brought out my bags for exile by day, and in the evening I dug through the wall by hand. I took my belongings out at dusk, carrying them on my shoulder as they watched.… Cross References And as they watch, Jeremiah 19:10 Then you are to shatter the jar in the presence of the men who accompany you, Jeremiah 27:2 This is what the LORD said to me: “Make for yourself a yoke out of leather straps and put it on your neck. Isaiah 20:3 Then the LORD said, “Just as My servant Isaiah has gone naked and barefoot for three years as a sign and omen against Egypt and Cush, lift your bags to your shoulder Jeremiah 46:19 Pack your bags for exile, O daughter dwelling in Egypt! For Memphis will be laid waste, destroyed and uninhabited. Jeremiah 10:17 Gather up your belongings from this land, you who live under siege. Isaiah 30:6 This is the burden against the beasts of the Negev: Through a land of hardship and distress, of lioness and lion, of viper and flying serpent, they carry their wealth on the backs of donkeys and their treasures on the humps of camels, to a people of no profit to them. and take them out at dusk; 2 Kings 25:4 Then the city was breached; and though the Chaldeans had surrounded the city, all the men of war fled by night by way of the gate between the two walls near the king’s garden. They headed toward the Arabah, Jeremiah 39:4 When Zedekiah king of Judah and all the soldiers saw them, they fled. They left the city at night by way of the king’s garden, through the gate between the two walls, and they went out along the route to the Arabah. Jeremiah 52:7 Then the city was breached; and though the Chaldeans had surrounded the city, all the men of war fled the city by night by way of the gate between the two walls near the king’s garden. They headed toward the Arabah, cover your face so that you cannot see the land. 2 Kings 25:7 And they slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes. Then they put out his eyes, bound him with bronze shackles, and took him to Babylon. Jeremiah 39:7 Then he put out Zedekiah’s eyes and bound him with bronze chains to take him to Babylon. Deuteronomy 28:29 and at noon you will grope about like a blind man in the darkness. You will not prosper in your ways. Day after day you will be oppressed and plundered, with no one to save you. For I have made you a sign to the house of Israel.” Ezekiel 4:3 Then take an iron plate and set it up as an iron wall between yourself and the city. Turn your face toward it so that it is under siege, and besiege it. This will be a sign to the house of Israel. Ezekiel 24:24 ‘Thus Ezekiel will be a sign for you; you will do everything that he has done. When this happens, you will know that I am the Lord GOD.’ Isaiah 8:18 Here am I, and the children the LORD has given me as signs and symbols in Israel from the LORD of Hosts, who dwells on Mount Zion. Jeremiah 13:19 The cities of the Negev have been shut tight, and no one can open them. All Judah has been carried into exile, wholly taken captive. Treasury of Scripture In their sight shall you bear it on your shoulders, and carry it forth in the twilight: you shall cover your face, that you see not the ground: for I have set you for a sign to the house of Israel. cover 1 Samuel 28:8 And 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. 2 Samuel 15:30 And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up. Job 24:17 For the morning is to them even as the shadow of death: if one know them, they are in the terrors of the shadow of death. for I Ezekiel 12:11 Say, I am your sign: like as I have done, so shall it be done unto them: they shall remove and go into captivity. Ezekiel 4:3 Moreover 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. Ezekiel 24:24 Thus 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. Jump to Previous Bear Carry Children Cover Covered Dark Darkness Earth Eyes Face Forth Goods Ground House Israel Load Mayest Shoulder Shoulders Sight Sign Twilight Type WatchingJump to Next Bear Carry Children Cover Covered Dark Darkness Earth Eyes Face Forth Goods Ground House Israel Load Mayest Shoulder Shoulders Sight Sign Twilight Type WatchingEzekiel 12 1. Under the type of Ezekiel's removing8. is shown the captivity of Zedekiah 17. Ezekiel's trembling shows the Jews' desolation 21. The Jews' presumptuous proverb is reproved 26. The speediness of the vision And as they watch Ezekiel is instructed to perform a symbolic act in front of the people, emphasizing the importance of prophetic actions in conveying God's message. This public demonstration serves as a visual prophecy, a common method used by prophets to capture attention and communicate divine truths. The act of watching signifies the people's awareness and the inevitability of the coming judgment. lift your bags to your shoulder and take them out at dusk cover your face so that you cannot see the land For I have made you a sign to the house of Israel. Persons / Places / Events 1. EzekielA prophet called by God to deliver His messages to the Israelites during their exile in Babylon. Known for his symbolic actions and visions. 2. House of Israel Refers to the people of Israel, particularly those in exile in Babylon, who are the primary audience of Ezekiel's prophetic actions and messages. 3. Babylon The place of exile for the Israelites during Ezekiel's time, representing a period of judgment and reflection for the nation of Israel. 4. Symbolic Action Ezekiel's act of carrying his bags in the dark and covering his face is a prophetic sign meant to convey a message from God to the Israelites. 5. Exile The historical context of the Israelites being taken captive and living in Babylon, which serves as a backdrop for Ezekiel's prophecies. Teaching Points Symbolism in ProphecyEzekiel's actions serve as a visual representation of God's message. Understanding the symbolism helps us grasp the seriousness of God's warnings and promises. Obedience to God's Commands Ezekiel's willingness to perform difficult and strange actions demonstrates obedience. We are called to obey God's instructions, even when they seem challenging or unclear. The Reality of Judgment The exile and Ezekiel's actions remind us of the reality of God's judgment. It is a call to repentance and a reminder of the consequences of disobedience. Hope in Exile Despite the grim circumstances, God's messages through Ezekiel also contain hope for restoration. We can find hope in God's promises, even in difficult times. Being a Sign to Others Just as Ezekiel was a sign to Israel, our lives can be a testimony to others. We should strive to live in a way that points others to God. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Ezekiel 12:6?2. How does Ezekiel 12:6 illustrate the importance of obedience to God's commands? 3. What does carrying belongings "on your shoulder" symbolize in Ezekiel 12:6? 4. How can Ezekiel's actions in 12:6 inspire our daily Christian walk? 5. In what ways does Ezekiel 12:6 connect to the theme of exile? 6. How can we apply the lessons from Ezekiel 12:6 in modern times? 7. What is the symbolic meaning of Ezekiel 12:6's "cover your face" command? 8. How does Ezekiel 12:6 relate to the theme of exile in the Bible? 9. Why does God instruct Ezekiel to act out a prophecy in Ezekiel 12:6? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 12? 11. If God intended Ezekiel’s symbolic actions in Ezekiel 12:6–7 to be a warning for all, why is there no extrabiblical evidence of widespread awareness or reaction? 12. What are the signs of the end times? 13. Why did the people remain complacent in Ezekiel 12:27-28, suggesting the prophecy had little impact if it was truly from God? 14. Exodus 12:29 - How can a just and loving God sanction the killing of innocent firstborn children? What Does Ezekiel 12:6 Mean And as they watch• The LORD insists that the prophet’s actions be carried out “as they watch,” making the entire community eyewitnesses. This public staging leaves Israel without excuse when judgment falls (Ezekiel 12:1–2). • God often requires visible demonstrations to underscore His word—think of Moses holding up the staff (Exodus 14:16) or Jeremiah shattering the clay jar (Jeremiah 19:10–11). • Prophetic object lessons function like living billboards: everyone sees, everyone is warned, and no one can say, “We didn’t know” (Amos 3:7). lift your bags to your shoulder • The phrase pictures a traveler hurriedly slinging a pack over his shoulder—symbolizing deportation. The “bags” are not vacation luggage; they are exile essentials, just as the survivors of Jerusalem would soon carry to Babylon (2 Kings 25:11). • God’s people had long been warned of this outcome (Deuteronomy 28:64–68), and Ezekiel’s literal act drives the point home: what the LORD says, He does. and take them out at dusk • Dusk speaks of secrecy and impending darkness. Jerusalem’s last king, Zedekiah, attempted a night escape exactly this way (2 Kings 25:4). • Nighttime also hints at the moral darkness that had settled over the nation (John 3:19). • The detail stresses urgency: judgment is close; daylight—opportunity to repent—is fading fast (Romans 13:11–12). cover your face so that you cannot see the land • Covering the face portrays grief and shame (2 Samuel 19:4). It also prefigures Zedekiah’s literal blindness after capture (2 Kings 25:7). • The gesture shows final separation: the exiles will not gaze again on their homeland until God’s appointed restoration (Ezekiel 11:17). • It reminds believers that sin always blinds us to the blessings we once enjoyed (Lamentations 1:9). For I have made you a sign to the house of Israel • Ezekiel’s life becomes the sermon; his actions validate the spoken prophecy (Ezekiel 24:24). • “A sign” means divinely authorized proof—just as Isaiah walked barefoot for three years as a sign against Egypt and Cush (Isaiah 20:3). • The LORD still uses faithful believers as living signs of truth and grace (Matthew 5:16; Philippians 2:15), calling the watching world to heed His word. summary Ezekiel’s night-time drama is God’s vivid, literal warning: judgment is imminent, exile unavoidable, and blindness—both physical and spiritual—will follow rebellion. Yet even in stern discipline, the LORD graciously provides a clear, public sign so His people may turn back before the darkness fully falls. (6) Bear it . . . carry it.--The pronouns are not in the original, and are better omitted. Otherwise, the "it" might seem to refer to the stuff already carried out during the day. Read, "Thou shalt bear upon thy shoulders, and carry forth in the dark." The word rendered "twilight" is used only here and in Ezekiel 12:12, and in Genesis 15:17, and means dark.That thou see not the ground.--This covering of the face might primarily be a token of grief; but as the whole action is distinctly prophetic (and is so interpreted; see Ezekiel 12:11-14), so especially was this sign. (See the account of the capture of Zedekiah in 2Kings 25:4-7; Jeremiah 39:4-7; Jeremiah 52:7-11.) The king, with his men of war, escaped from the city secretly by night, was pursued and captured, and carried to Riblah, where his eyes were put out, and he was then taken in chains to Babylon. . . . Hebrew And as they look on,לְעֵ֨ינֵיהֶ֜ם (lə·‘ê·nê·hem) Preposition-l | Noun - cdc | third person masculine plural Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain lift תִּשָּׂא֙ (tiś·śā) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take your bags to עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against your shoulder כָּתֵ֤ף (kā·ṯêp̄) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 3802: The shoulder, side-piece, lateral projection of anything and take them out תוֹצִ֔יא (ṯō·w·ṣî) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim at dusk; בָּעֲלָטָ֣ה (bā·‘ă·lā·ṭāh) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5939: Thick darkness cover תְכַסֶּ֔ה (ṯə·ḵas·seh) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 3680: To plump, fill up hollows, to cover your face פָּנֶ֣יךָ (pā·ne·ḵā) Noun - common plural construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 6440: The face so that you cannot וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no see תִרְאֶ֖ה (ṯir·’eh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 7200: To see the land. הָאָ֑רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 776: Earth, land For כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction I have made you נְתַתִּ֖יךָ (nə·ṯat·tî·ḵā) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular | second person masculine singular Strong's 5414: To give, put, set a sign מוֹפֵ֥ת (mō·w·p̄êṯ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4159: A miracle, a token, omen to the house לְבֵ֥ית (lə·ḇêṯ) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1004: A house of Israel.” יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc Links Ezekiel 12:6 NIVEzekiel 12:6 NLT Ezekiel 12:6 ESV Ezekiel 12:6 NASB Ezekiel 12:6 KJV Ezekiel 12:6 BibleApps.com Ezekiel 12:6 Biblia Paralela Ezekiel 12:6 Chinese Bible Ezekiel 12:6 French Bible Ezekiel 12:6 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Ezekiel 12:6 In their sight you shall bear it (Ezek. Eze Ezk) |
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