King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 12:13 Mean?

Ezekiel 12:13 in the King James Version says “My net also will I spread upon him, and he shall be taken in my snare: and I will bring him to Babylon to the land of th... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

My net also will I spread upon him, and he shall be taken in my snare: and I will bring him to Babylon to the land of the Chaldeans; yet shall he not see it, though he shall die there.

Ezekiel 12:13 · KJV


Context

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. they: Heb. by removing go into captivity

12

And the prince that is among them shall bear upon his shoulder in the twilight, and shall go forth: they shall dig through the wall to carry out thereby: he shall cover his face, that he see not the ground with his eyes.

13

My net also will I spread upon him, and he shall be taken in my snare: and I will bring him to Babylon to the land of the Chaldeans; yet shall he not see it, though he shall die there.

14

And I will scatter toward every wind all that are about him to help him, and all his bands; and I will draw out the sword after them.

15

And they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall scatter them among the nations, and disperse them in the countries.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
"My net also will I spread upon him, and he shall be taken in my snare: and I will bring him to Babylon to the land of the Chaldeans; yet shall he not see it, though he shall die there." This verse precisely predicts Zedekiah's fate—captured ("taken in my snare"), brought to Babylon, yet not seeing it. The paradox resolves in Zedekiah's blinding (2 Kings 25:7)—he went to Babylon but couldn't see it. God's "net" and "snare" (rishti, רִשְׁתִּי; metzudati, מְצוּדָתִי) depict divine hunting—no escape exists when God decrees capture. The specific detail about not seeing Babylon demonstrates supernatural foreknowledge.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This prophecy's literal fulfillment is stunning. Zedekiah attempted escape during Babylon's siege but was captured near Jericho (2 Kings 25:4-5). At Riblah, he witnessed his sons' execution before Nebuchadnezzar blinded him and brought him to Babylon where he died in prison (2 Kings 25:7; Jeremiah 52:11). He literally went to Babylon but didn't see it. This precise fulfillment of seemingly paradoxical prophecy authenticated Ezekiel's divine inspiration and demonstrated God's sovereign control over history's details.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the paradox (brought to Babylon yet not seeing it) demonstrate supernatural prophetic knowledge?
  2. What does God's net and snare teach about the impossibility of escaping divine judgment?
  3. In what ways does precise prophetic fulfillment strengthen faith in Scripture's divine origin?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וּפָרַשְׂתִּ֤י1 of 16

also will I spread

H6566

to break apart, disperse, etc

אֶת2 of 16
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

רִשְׁתִּי֙3 of 16

My net

H7568

a net (as catching animals)

עָלָ֔יו4 of 16
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

וְנִתְפַּ֖שׂ5 of 16

upon him and he shall be taken

H8610

to manipulate, i.e., seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably

בִּמְצֽוּדָתִ֑י6 of 16

in my snare

H4686

a fastness

וְהֵבֵאתִ֨י7 of 16

and I will bring

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֹת֤וֹ8 of 16
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בָבֶ֙לָה֙9 of 16

him to Babylon

H894

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

אֶ֣רֶץ10 of 16

to the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

כַּשְׂדִּ֔ים11 of 16

of the Chaldeans

H3778

a kasdite, or descendant of kesed; by implication, a chaldaean (as if so descended); also an astrologer (as if proverbial of that people

וְאוֹתָ֥הּ12 of 16
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

לֹֽא13 of 16
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִרְאֶ֖ה14 of 16

yet shall he not see

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

וְשָׁ֥ם15 of 16
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

יָמֽוּת׃16 of 16

it though he shall die

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezekiel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezekiel 12:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezekiel 12:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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