King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 4:5 Mean?

Ezekiel 4:5 in the King James Version says “For I have laid upon thee the years of their iniquity, according to the number of the days, three hundred and ninety day...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For I have laid upon thee the years of their iniquity, according to the number of the days, three hundred and ninety days: so shalt thou bear the iniquity of the house of Israel.”

Ezekiel 4:5 · KJV

Context

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. an: or, a flat plate, or, slice

4

Lie thou also upon thy left side, and lay the iniquity of the house of Israel upon it: according to the number of the days that thou shalt lie upon it thou shalt bear their iniquity.

5

For I have laid upon thee the years of their iniquity, according to the number of the days, three hundred and ninety days: so shalt thou bear the iniquity of the house of Israel.

6

And when thou hast accomplished them, lie again on thy right side, and thou shalt bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days: I have appointed thee each day for a year . each: Heb. a day for a year, a day for a year

7

Therefore thou shalt set thy face toward the siege of Jerusalem, and thine arm shall be uncovered, and thou shalt prophesy against it.

Read Ezekiel 4 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For I have laid upon thee the years of their iniquity, according to the number of the days, three hundred and ninety days: so shalt thou bear the iniquity of the house of Israel. God specifies the duration and meaning of Ezekiel's suffering—390 days representing years of Israel's accumulated guilt. The formula "each day for a year" (yom la-shanah, יוֹם לַשָּׁנָה) appears elsewhere in Scripture (Numbers 14:34), establishing prophetic time symbolism where literal days represent extended periods.

The 390 years likely span from the divided kingdom (931 BC when Jeroboam led Israel's rebellion) through the exile period, though exact calculation remains debated among scholars. The key theological point transcends precise chronology: Israel's sin wasn't momentary lapse but sustained, generational rebellion requiring proportionate judgment. The Hebrew avon (עָוֺן, "iniquity") denotes guilt and punishment together—sin carries intrinsic consequences.

This verse reveals divine bookkeeping—God counts every year of covenant unfaithfulness. Sin accumulates, and accumulated sin demands comprehensive judgment. Yet even here, grace appears: God limits the period of bearing iniquity rather than decreeing permanent judgment. This anticipates the gospel truth that Christ bore a definite, sufficient penalty for sin (Hebrews 10:12-14), not eternal, ongoing punishment. His finished work fully satisfied divine justice.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The northern kingdom of Israel persisted in idolatry throughout its existence (931-722 BC), with every king described as doing evil and perpetuating Jeroboam's sin of establishing golden calf worship at Dan and Bethel (1 Kings 12:25-33). Despite prophets like Elijah, Elisha, Amos, and Hosea, Israel refused to repent, leading to Assyrian conquest and exile.

Even after Israel's fall, their guilt remained unresolved. The ten northern tribes disappeared into Assyrian captivity, their destiny uncertain. Ezekiel, ministering 130+ years after Israel's exile, still addresses their accumulated iniquity, showing that sin's consequences persist across generations until properly addressed through repentance and divine forgiveness.

The exiles in Babylon needed to understand their current suffering within this broader historical context. Their captivity wasn't isolated event but culmination of centuries of covenant violations by both Israel and Judah. Only recognizing the depth and duration of their corporate sin could produce the thorough repentance necessary for restoration.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the accumulation of sin over generations teach us about corporate responsibility and consequences?
  2. What does God's precise accounting of Israel's years of iniquity reveal about His justice and memory?
  3. How does Christ bearing our sins 'once for all' (Hebrews 10:10) contrast with Ezekiel's temporary symbolic bearing?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַאֲנִ֗י1 of 16
H589

i

נָתַ֤תִּֽי2 of 16

“For I have laid”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לְךָ֙3 of 16
H0
אֶת4 of 16
H853

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

שְׁנֵ֣י5 of 16

“upon thee the years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

עֲוֹ֥ן6 of 16

“of their iniquity”

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

לְמִסְפַּ֣ר7 of 16

“according to the number”

H4557

a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration

י֑וֹם8 of 16

“days”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

שְׁלֹשׁ9 of 16

“three”

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

מֵא֥וֹת10 of 16

“hundred”

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

וְתִשְׁעִ֖ים11 of 16

“and ninety”

H8673

ninety

י֑וֹם12 of 16

“days”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

וְנָשָׂ֖אתָ13 of 16

“so shalt thou bear”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

עֲוֹ֥ן14 of 16

“of their iniquity”

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

בֵּֽית15 of 16

“of the house”

H1004

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

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃16 of 16

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

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 4:5 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 4:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 14:34Isaiah 53:6

Test Your Knowledge

Ezekiel 4 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterEzekiel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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