King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 4:7 Mean?

Ezekiel 4:7 in the King James Version says “Therefore thou shalt set thy face toward the siege of Jerusalem, and thine arm shall be uncovered, and thou shalt prophe...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Ezekiel 4:7 · KJV

Context

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.

8

And, behold, I will lay bands upon thee, and thou shalt not turn thee from one side to another, till thou hast ended the days of thy siege. from one: Heb. from thy side to thy side

9

Take thou also unto thee wheat, and barley, and beans, and lentiles, and millet, and fitches, and put them in one vessel, and make thee bread thereof, according to the number of the days that thou shalt lie upon thy side, three hundred and ninety days shalt thou eat thereof. fitches: or, spelt

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Therefore thou shalt set thy face toward the siege of Jerusalem, and thine arm shall be uncovered, and thou shalt prophesy against it. This verse intensifies Ezekiel's prophetic drama by adding active prophesying to his passive lying. "Set thy face toward" (el-mitzur Yerushalayim takin panekha) repeats the hostile posture from verse 3, emphasizing God's determined opposition to the rebellious city. The uncovered arm (uzro'akha charutzah, וּזְרֹעֲךָ חֲשׂוּפָה) symbolizes readiness for action—warriors bared their arms for battle (Isaiah 52:10).

"Prophesy against it" (venibbeita aleha, וְנִבֵּאתָ עָלֶיהָ) means to proclaim judgment, not merely predict future events. Biblical prophecy primarily declares God's will and purposes, calling people to response. Ezekiel's prophesying against Jerusalem reverses the priestly role of blessing and intercession—instead of standing between God and people pleading for mercy, Ezekiel announces inescapable doom.

This combination of symbolic action and verbal proclamation creates comprehensive witness. The visual drama captures attention; the spoken word explains meaning. Together they leave the audience without excuse. Theologically, this demonstrates that God thoroughly communicates His intentions before executing judgment. He doesn't ambush His people but clearly warns through multiple means. Yet warning doesn't necessarily prevent judgment—persistent unbelief renders even the clearest revelation ineffective (Hebrews 3:7-4:2).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern siege imagery frequently depicted warriors with bared arms wielding weapons. Ezekiel's gesture would immediately communicate military aggression to his audience. Combined with his prone position bearing iniquity and his verbal prophesying, the complete sign-act created unforgettable multi-sensory proclamation of Jerusalem's doom.

The exiles in Babylon, approximately 500 miles from Jerusalem, couldn't directly witness the city's condition. Many clung to false hopes that Jerusalem would survive and they'd soon return. False prophets encouraged this delusion (Jeremiah 28-29). Ezekiel's sustained dramatization challenged these false hopes by making Jerusalem's fall viscerally real through prophetic theater.

When Jerusalem actually fell in 586 BC, those who witnessed Ezekiel's earlier performance would remember. The prophet's credibility would be established, and survivors would recognize that their suffering fulfilled precise prophetic warning. This recognition would prepare them for receiving Ezekiel's later messages of restoration (chapters 34-37), trusting that God's promises of return were equally certain as His threats of judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's clear communication of coming judgment before executing it demonstrate His justice and patience?
  2. What does Ezekiel's reversal from priestly intercessor to prophetic prosecutor teach about the limits of mediation apart from repentance?
  3. In what ways should prophetic warning of judgment shape our evangelism and preaching today?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 9 words
וְאֶל1 of 9
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מְצ֤וֹר2 of 9

“toward the siege”

H4692

something hemming in, i.e., (objectively) a mound (of besiegers), (abstractly) a siege, (figuratively) distress; or (subjectively) a fastness

יְרוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙3 of 9

“of Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

תָּכִ֣ין4 of 9

“Therefore thou shalt set”

H3559

properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,

פָּנֶ֔יךָ5 of 9

“thy face”

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

וּֽזְרֹעֲךָ֖6 of 9

“and thine arm”

H2220

the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force

חֲשׂוּפָ֑ה7 of 9

“shall be uncovered”

H2834

to strip off, i.e., generally to make naked (for exertion or in disgrace), to drain away or bail up (a liquid)

וְנִבֵּאתָ֖8 of 9

“and thou shalt prophesy”

H5012

to prophesy, i.e., speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse)

עָלֶֽיהָ׃9 of 9
H5921

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

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 4:7 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 4:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 52:10Ezekiel 21:2Ezekiel 6:2Ezekiel 4:3

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Ezekiel 4 →

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