Chapter 12: Signs of Exile and Certainty of Prophecy
1. The Symbolic Act of Exile (Verses 1–7)
G‑d tells Yechezkel:
- You dwell among a rebellious house—they have eyes but do not see, ears but do not hear.
- Prepare implements for exile and act out going into exile before their eyes, perhaps they will understand.
- Bring out your belongings by day, dig through the wall in the evening, and carry them out on your shoulder in darkness, covering your face.
Yechezkel obeys and performs the sign.
- Explanation of the Sign (Verses 8–16)
G‑d explains:
- This sign concerns the prince in Jerusalem and all Israel.
- They will go into exile; the prince will escape at night, digging through the wall, covering his face.
- But G‑d will spread His net, capture him, and bring him to Babylon—where he will die without seeing it.
- His officers will be scattered, pursued by the sword.
- A few will survive to tell of their abominations among the nations, so all will know that G‑d is the Lord.
- Eating with Fear (Verses 17–20)
Yechezkel is commanded to eat bread with trembling and drink water with anxiety, as a sign:
- The dwellers of Jerusalem will eat in fear because the land will become desolate due to violence.
- Cities will be ruined, and the land will be laid waste.
- The End of False Confidence (Verses 21–28)
G‑d rebukes the proverb:
“The days are long, and every vision fails.”
- He declares: No more delay—every prophecy will be fulfilled.
- False visions and flattering divinations will cease.
- The rebellious house says: “He prophesies for distant times.”
- G‑d responds: None of My words will be delayed; what I speak will happen.
