King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 17:12 Mean?

Ezekiel 17:12 in the King James Version says “Say now to the rebellious house, Know ye not what these things mean? tell them, Behold, the king of Babylon is come to J... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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;

Ezekiel 17:12 · KJV


Context

10

Yea, behold, being planted, shall it prosper? shall it not utterly wither, when the east wind toucheth it? it shall wither in the furrows where it grew.

11

Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

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;

13

And hath taken of the king's seed, and made a covenant with him, and hath taken an oath of him: he hath also taken the mighty of the land: taken an: Heb. brought him to an oath

14

That the kingdom might be base, that it might not lift itself up, but that by keeping of his covenant it might stand. but: Heb. to keep his covenant, to stand to it


Commentary

KJV Study 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.'

Reflection Questions

  1. What spiritual dullness prevents us from recognizing God's clear messages?
  2. How can we move from 'rebellious house' to obedient household of faith?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
אֱמֹ֗ר1 of 23

Say

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

נָא֙2 of 23
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

לְבֵ֣ית3 of 23

house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

הַמֶּ֔רִי4 of 23

now to the rebellious

H4805

bitterness, i.e., (figuratively) rebellion; concretely, bitter, or rebellious

הֲלֹ֥א5 of 23
H3808

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

יְדַעְתֶּ֖ם6 of 23

Know

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

מָה7 of 23
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

אֵ֑לֶּה8 of 23
H428

these or those

אֱמֹ֗ר9 of 23

Say

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הִנֵּה10 of 23
H2009

lo!

וַיָּבֵ֥א11 of 23

is come

H935

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

מַלְכָּהּ֙12 of 23

the king

H4428

a king

בָּבֶֽלָה׃13 of 23

of Babylon

H894

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

יְרוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙14 of 23

to Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

וַיִּקַּ֤ח15 of 23

and hath taken

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶת16 of 23
H853

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

מַלְכָּהּ֙17 of 23

the king

H4428

a king

וְאֶת18 of 23
H853

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

שָׂרֶ֔יהָ19 of 23

thereof and the princes

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

וַיָּבֵ֥א20 of 23

is come

H935

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

אוֹתָ֛ם21 of 23
H853

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

אֵלָ֖יו22 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בָּבֶֽלָה׃23 of 23

of Babylon

H894

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


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 17:12 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 17:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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