King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 20:47 Mean?

Ezekiel 20:47 in the King James Version says “And say to the forest of the south, Hear the word of the LORD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will kindle a fire in ... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And say to the forest of the south, Hear the word of the LORD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burned therein.

Ezekiel 20:47 · KJV


Context

45

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

46

Son of man, set thy face toward the south, and drop thy word toward the south, and prophesy against the forest of the south field;

47

And say to the forest of the south, Hear the word of the LORD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burned therein.

48

And all flesh shall see that I the LORD have kindled it: it shall not be quenched.

49

Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! they say of me, Doth he not speak parables?


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
I will kindle a fire in thee (הִצַּתִּי בְךָ אֵשׁ, hitsati vekha esh)—God Himself lights the judgment fire. The verb יָצַת (yatsat, to kindle) indicates deliberate ignition. Every green tree and every dry tree (כָּל־עֵץ לַח וְכָל־עֵץ יָבֵשׁ, kol-etz lakh v'khol-etz yavesh) means total destruction—both righteous (green) and wicked (dry) will be swept into exile.

The flaming flame shall not be quenched (לֹא תִכְבֶּה לַהֶבֶת שַׁלְהָבֶת, lo tikhbeh lahevet shalhevet) uses emphatic Hebrew repetition for an unstoppable conflagration. This fire is the Babylonian army (21:3-5), but ultimately represents God's wrath against covenant unfaithfulness. Jesus uses similar language for final judgment (Mark 9:43-48), where the fire is never quenched.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This prophecy was fulfilled in 586 BC when Nebuchadnezzar burned Jerusalem and the temple (2 Kings 25:8-9). The fire consumed everyone—even righteous people like Daniel's contemporaries went into exile. Ezekiel's audience initially mocked this as impossible (20:49).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's impartial judgment (consuming green and dry trees alike) challenge assumptions about earthly prosperity indicating divine favor?
  2. What does unquenchable fire symbolize regarding the seriousness of sin and rebellion?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 32 words
אָמַ֣ר1 of 32

And say

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לְיַ֣עַר2 of 32

to the forest

H3293

a copse of bushes; hence, a forest; hence, honey in the comb (as hived in trees)

מִנֶּ֥גֶב3 of 32

from the south

H5045

the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)

שְׁמַ֖ע4 of 32

Hear

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

דְּבַר5 of 32

the word

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

יְהוָ֑ה6 of 32

of the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

כֹּֽה7 of 32
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֣ר8 of 32

And say

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֣י9 of 32

the Lord

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יְהוִ֡ה10 of 32

GOD

H3069

god

הִנְנִ֣י11 of 32
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

מַֽצִּית12 of 32

Behold I will kindle

H3341

to burn or set on fire; figuratively, to desolate

בְּךָ֣׀13 of 32
H0
אֵ֡שׁ14 of 32

a fire

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

וְאָכְלָ֣ה15 of 32

in thee and it shall devour

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

בְךָ֣16 of 32
H0
כָל17 of 32
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

עֵ֨ץ18 of 32

tree

H6086

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

לַח֩19 of 32

every green

H3892

fresh, i.e., unused or undried

וְכָל20 of 32
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

עֵ֨ץ21 of 32

tree

H6086

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

יָבֵ֤שׁ22 of 32

in thee and every dry

H3002

dry

לֹֽא23 of 32
H3808

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

תִכְבֶּה֙24 of 32

shall not be quenched

H3518

to expire or (causatively) to extinguish (fire, light, anger)

לַהֶ֣בֶת25 of 32

the flaming

H3852

flame

שַׁלְהֶ֔בֶת26 of 32

flame

H7957

a flare of fire

וְנִצְרְבוּ27 of 32

shall be burned

H6866

to burn

בָ֥הּ28 of 32
H0
כָּל29 of 32
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

פָּנִ֖ים30 of 32

and all faces

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

מִנֶּ֥גֶב31 of 32

from the south

H5045

the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)

צָפֽוֹנָה׃32 of 32

to the north

H6828

properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)


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 20:47 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 20:47 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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