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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ezekiel 4:4 Then lie down on your left side and place the iniquity of the house of Israel upon yourself. You are to bear their iniquity for the number of days you lie on your side.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ezekiel/4-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/26_Ezk_04_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ezekiel 4:4 - A Sign of Jerusalem's Siege" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then lie down on your left side and place the iniquity of the house of Israel upon yourself. You are to bear their iniquity for the number of days you lie on your side." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/ezekiel/4-4.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/ezekiel/4-4.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/ezekiel/">Ezekiel</a> > <a href="/ezekiel/4.htm">Chapter 4</a> > Verse 4</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad4.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/ezekiel/4-3.htm" title="Ezekiel 4:3">◄</a> Ezekiel 4:4 <a href="/ezekiel/4-5.htm" title="Ezekiel 4:5">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/ezekiel/4.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220Then lie on your left side and put the sin of the people of Israel upon yourself. You are to bear their sin for the number of days you lie on your side.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ezekiel/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Now lie on your left side and place the sins of Israel on yourself. You are to bear their sins for the number of days you lie there on your side.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ezekiel/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“Then lie on your left side, and place the punishment of the house of Israel upon it. For the number of the days that you lie on it, you shall bear their punishment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then lie down on your left side and place the iniquity of the house of Israel upon yourself. You are to bear their iniquity for the number of days you lie on your side.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Lie thou also upon thy left side, and lay the iniquity of the house of Israel upon it: <i>according</i> to the number of the days that thou shalt lie upon it thou shalt bear their iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ezekiel/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“Lie also on your left side, and lay the iniquity of the house of Israel upon it. <i>According</i> to the number of the days that you lie on it, you shall bear their iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ezekiel/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Then you are to lie down on your left side and put the wrongdoing of the house of Israel on it; you shall bear their wrongdoing for the number of days that you lie on it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220As for you, lie down on your left side and lay the iniquity of the house of Israel on it; you shall bear their iniquity for the number of days that you lie on it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ezekiel/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“As for you, lie down on your left side, and lay the iniquity of the house of Israel on it; you shall bear their iniquity for the number of days that you lie on it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ezekiel/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“Now as for you, lie down on your left side and lay the iniquity of the house of Israel on it; you shall bear their iniquity for the number of days that you lie on it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ezekiel/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Then lie down on your left side (toward the north) to bear [symbolically] the wickedness <i>and</i> punishment of the house of Israel. You shall bear their wickedness <i>and</i> punishment for the number of days that you lie on your side.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ezekiel/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Then lie down on your left side and place the iniquity of the house of Israel on it. You will bear their iniquity for the number of days you lie on your side.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ezekiel/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then lie down on your left side and place the iniquity of the house of Israel on it. You will bear their iniquity for the number of days you lie on your side.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ezekiel/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Moreover lie thou 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ezekiel/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Moreover lie thou 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ezekiel/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Then lie on your left side and take the punishment of the nation of Israel yourself. You will bear its punishment as many days as you lie on that side.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ezekiel/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Now as for you, you are to sleep on your left side, symbolically bearing the punishment of the house of Israel while you're counting the days you'll be sleeping on your left side to bear symbolically the punishment for their sin. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ezekiel/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then lie down on your left side and place the iniquity of the house of Israel upon yourself. You are to bear their iniquity for the number of days you lie on your side.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ezekiel/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"Also for your part lie on your left side and place the iniquity of the house of Israel on it. For the number of days you lie on your side you will bear their iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ezekiel/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"Moreover lie on your left side, and lay the iniquity of the house of Israel on it; according to the number of the days that you shall lie on it, you shall bear their iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ezekiel/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ezekiel/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“Moreover lie on your left side, and lay the iniquity of the house of Israel on it. According to the number of the days that you shall lie on it, you shall bear their iniquity. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ezekiel/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And you, lie on your left side, and you have placed the iniquity of the house of Israel on it; the number of the days that you lie on it, you bear their iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ezekiel/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'And thou, lie on thy left side, and thou hast placed the iniquity of the house of Israel on it; the number of the days that thou liest on it, thou bearest their iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ezekiel/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And lie thou upon thy left side, and put the iniquity of the house of Israel upon it: the number of days which thou shalt lie upon it thou shalt lift up their iniquity.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ezekiel/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And thou shalt sleep upon thy left side, and shalt lay the iniquities of the house of Israel upon it, according to the number of the days that thou shalt sleep upon it, and thou shalt take upon thee their iniquity. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ezekiel/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And you shall sleep on your left side. And you shall place the iniquities of the house of Israel on it by the number of days that you will sleep on it. And you shall take upon yourself their iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ezekiel/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Then lie down on your left side, while I place the guilt of the house of Israel upon you. As many days as you lie like this, you shall bear their guilt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ezekiel/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then lie on your left side, and place the punishment of the house of Israel upon it; you shall bear their punishment for the number of the days that you lie there.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ezekiel/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Then lie upon your left side, and lay the iniquity of the house of Israel upon that side; according to the number of days that you shall lie upon it, you shall bear their iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ezekiel/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And you lie on your left side, and set the evil of the household of Israel against it for the number of the days that you lie against it. You shall bear their evil<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ezekiel/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Moreover lie thou 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ezekiel/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And thou shalt lie upon thy left side, and lay the iniquities of the house of Israel upon it, according to the number of the hundred and fifty days <i>during</i> which thou shalt lie upon it: and thou shalt bear their iniquities.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ezekiel/4-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vET3Gmwku4s?start=729" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/4.htm">A Sign of Jerusalem's Siege</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>Then take an iron plate and set it up as an iron wall between yourself and the city. Turn your face toward it so that it is under siege, and besiege it. This will be a sign to the house of Israel. <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: wə·’at·tāh (Conj-w:: Pro-2ms) -- You (masc. sing.). ">Then</a> <a href="/hebrew/7901.htm" title="7901: šə·ḵaḇ (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To lie down. A primitive root; to lie down.">lie down</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">on</a> <a href="/hebrew/8042.htm" title="8042: haś·śə·mā·lî (Art:: Adj-ms) -- Left, on the left. From smo'wl; situated on the left side.">your left</a> <a href="/hebrew/6654.htm" title="6654: ṣid·də·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- A side. Contr. From an unused root meaning to sidle off; a side; figuratively, an adversary.">side</a> <a href="/hebrew/7760.htm" title="7760: wə·śam·tā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-2ms) -- To put, place, set. Or siym; a primitive root; to put.">and place</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5771.htm" title="5771: ‘ă·wōn (N-csc) -- Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity. Or oavown; from avah; perversity, i.e. evil.">the iniquity</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: bêṯ- (N-msc) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">of the house</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">of Israel</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ā·lāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">upon yourself.</a> <a href="/hebrew/5375.htm" title="5375: tiś·śā (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- Or nacah ('abad); a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absol. And rel.">You are to bear</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5771.htm" title="5771: ‘ă·wō·nām (N-csc:: 3mp) -- Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity. Or oavown; from avah; perversity, i.e. evil.">their iniquity</a> <a href="/hebrew/4557.htm" title="4557: mis·par (N-msc) -- Number, tally. From caphar; a number, definite or indefinite; also narration.">for the number</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: hay·yā·mîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">of days</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7901.htm" title="7901: tiš·kaḇ (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To lie down. A primitive root; to lie down.">you lie on your side.</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ā·lāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications."></a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>For I have assigned to you 390 days, according to the number of years of their iniquity. So you shall bear the iniquity of the house of Israel.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/14-34.htm">Numbers 14:34</a></span><br />In keeping with the forty days you spied out the land, you shall bear your guilt forty years—a year for each day—and you will experience My alienation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/26-18.htm">Leviticus 26:18</a></span><br />And if after all this you will not obey Me, I will proceed to punish you sevenfold for your sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/26-21.htm">Leviticus 26:21</a></span><br />If you walk in hostility toward Me and refuse to obey Me, I will multiply your plagues seven times, according to your sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/26-24.htm">Leviticus 26:24</a></span><br />then I will act with hostility toward you, and I will strike you sevenfold for your sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/26-28.htm">Leviticus 26:28</a></span><br />then I will walk in fury against you, and I, even I, will punish you sevenfold for your sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/53-4.htm">Isaiah 53:4-6</a></span><br />Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. / But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. / We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/3-12.htm">Jeremiah 3:12-13</a></span><br />Go, proclaim this message toward the north: ‘Return, O faithless Israel,’ declares the LORD. ‘I will no longer look on you with anger, for I am merciful,’ declares the LORD. ‘I will not be angry forever. / Only acknowledge your guilt, that you have rebelled against the LORD your God. You have scattered your favors to foreign gods under every green tree and have not obeyed My voice,’” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/14-10.htm">Jeremiah 14:10</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says about this people: “Truly they love to wander; they have not restrained their feet. So the LORD does not accept them; He will now remember their iniquity and punish them for their sins.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/3-39.htm">Lamentations 3:39-42</a></span><br />Why should any mortal man complain, in view of his sins? / Let us examine and test our ways, and turn back to the LORD. / Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God in heaven: ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/9-11.htm">Daniel 9:11-14</a></span><br />All Israel has transgressed Your law and turned away, refusing to obey Your voice; so the oath and the curse written in the Law of Moses the servant of God has been poured out on us, because we have sinned against You. / You have carried out the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing upon us a great disaster. For under all of heaven, nothing has ever been done like what has been done to Jerusalem. / Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us, yet we have not sought the favor of the LORD our God by turning from our iniquities and giving attention to Your truth. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/5-15.htm">Hosea 5:15</a></span><br />Then I will return to My place until they admit their guilt and seek My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/11-28.htm">Matthew 11:28-30</a></span><br />Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. / Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. / For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-37.htm">Matthew 23:37</a></span><br />O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/19-41.htm">Luke 19:41-44</a></span><br />As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it / and said, “If only you had known on this day what would bring you peace! But now it is hidden from your eyes. / For the days will come upon you when your enemies will barricade you and surround you and hem you in on every side. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-29.htm">John 1:29</a></span><br />The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Lie you also on your left side, and lay the iniquity of the house of Israel on it: according to the number of the days that you shall lie on it you shall bear their iniquity.</p><p class="hdg">upon</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/4-5.htm">Ezekiel 4:5,8</a></b></br> 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… </p><p class="hdg">and lay</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/17-21.htm">2 Kings 17:21-23</a></b></br> For he rent Israel from the house of David; and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king: and Jeroboam drave Israel from following the LORD, and made them sin a great sin… </p><p class="hdg">thou shalt bear</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/10-17.htm">Leviticus 10:17</a></b></br> Wherefore have ye not eaten the sin offering in the holy place, seeing it <i>is</i> most holy, and <i>God</i> hath given it you to bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the LORD?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/16-22.htm">Leviticus 16:22</a></b></br> And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/14-34.htm">Numbers 14:34</a></b></br> After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, <i>even</i> forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, <i>even</i> forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/lamentations/5-7.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-12.htm">Bearest</a> <a href="/ezekiel/3-17.htm">Children</a> <a href="/ezekiel/4-3.htm">House</a> <a href="/ezekiel/3-20.htm">Iniquity</a> <a href="/ezekiel/4-3.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-5.htm">Lie</a> <a href="/ezekiel/4-3.htm">Moreover</a> <a href="/ezekiel/3-25.htm">Placed</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-7.htm">Punishment</a> <a href="/ezekiel/4-2.htm">Side</a> <a href="/ezekiel/3-21.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/ezekiel/2-9.htm">Stretched</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-9.htm">Stretching</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezekiel/4-5.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/john/8-13.htm">Bearest</a> <a href="/ezekiel/4-6.htm">Children</a> <a href="/ezekiel/4-5.htm">House</a> <a href="/ezekiel/4-5.htm">Iniquity</a> <a href="/ezekiel/4-5.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/ezekiel/4-6.htm">Lie</a> <a href="/ezekiel/4-16.htm">Moreover</a> <a href="/ezekiel/6-4.htm">Placed</a> <a href="/ezekiel/4-5.htm">Punishment</a> <a href="/ezekiel/4-6.htm">Side</a> <a href="/ezekiel/4-5.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/ezekiel/4-8.htm">Stretched</a> <a href="/ezekiel/10-7.htm">Stretching</a><div class="vheading2">Ezekiel 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/4-1.htm">Under type of a siege is shown the time from the defection of Jeroboam to captivity</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/4-9.htm">By the provision of the siege, is shown the hardness of the famine</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ezekiel/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ezekiel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ezekiel/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Then lie down on your left side</b><br>This action is symbolic and prophetic, representing the burden of sin that Israel has accumulated. Lying on the left side signifies the northern kingdom of Israel, which had fallen into idolatry and was exiled by the Assyrians in 722 BC. The left side may also indicate the direction of the northern kingdom in relation to Jerusalem. Prophets often used symbolic acts to convey God's messages, as seen in <a href="/isaiah/20-2.htm">Isaiah 20:2-4</a> and <a href="/jeremiah/13.htm">Jeremiah 13:1-11</a>.<p><b>and place the iniquity of the house of Israel upon yourself.</b><br>Ezekiel's act of bearing the iniquity symbolizes the transference of Israel's sins onto himself, akin to a scapegoat. This foreshadows the ultimate bearing of sin by Jesus Christ, who took upon Himself the sins of humanity (<a href="/isaiah/53-4.htm">Isaiah 53:4-6</a>). The "house of Israel" refers to the collective tribes of the northern kingdom, emphasizing their collective guilt and need for repentance.<p><b>You are to bear their iniquity</b><br>The concept of bearing iniquity is deeply rooted in the sacrificial system of the Old Testament, where a substitute bore the sins of the people (<a href="/leviticus/16-22.htm">Leviticus 16:22</a>). Ezekiel's act is a prophetic demonstration of God's judgment and mercy, highlighting the seriousness of sin and the need for atonement. This act prefigures Christ's atoning sacrifice, where He bore the sins of the world (<a href="/1_peter/2-24.htm">1 Peter 2:24</a>).<p><b>for the number of days you lie on your side.</b><br>The specific number of days corresponds to the years of Israel's sin, with each day representing a year (<a href="/ezekiel/4-5.htm">Ezekiel 4:5</a>). This prophetic timeline underscores the prolonged period of rebellion and the consequent judgment. It serves as a reminder of God's patience and the eventual fulfillment of His promises, as seen in the seventy years of Babylonian captivity prophesied by Jeremiah (<a href="/jeremiah/25-11.htm">Jeremiah 25:11-12</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/e/ezekiel.htm">Ezekiel</a></b><br>A prophet called by God to deliver His messages to the Israelites during their Babylonian exile. Known for his symbolic and often dramatic prophetic acts.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/h/house_of_israel.htm">House of Israel</a></b><br>Refers to the northern kingdom of Israel, which had been taken into captivity by the Assyrians due to their persistent idolatry and disobedience to God.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/b/babylonian_exile.htm">Babylonian Exile</a></b><br>The period when the Israelites were taken captive by Babylon, serving as a backdrop for Ezekiel's prophecies and symbolic actions.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/s/symbolic_act.htm">Symbolic Act</a></b><br>Ezekiel's act of lying on his side represents the bearing of Israel's iniquity, a physical demonstration of the spiritual burden of their sins.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/i/iniquity.htm">Iniquity</a></b><br>Refers to the sin and rebellion of the Israelites against God, which led to their judgment and exile.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/s/symbolism_in_prophecy.htm">Symbolism in Prophecy</a></b><br>Ezekiel's actions are a vivid reminder of how God uses symbols to communicate deeper spiritual truths. We should seek to understand the spiritual realities behind biblical symbols.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/b/bearing_burdens.htm">Bearing Burdens</a></b><br>Just as Ezekiel bore the iniquity of Israel, we are called to bear one another's burdens, fulfilling the law of Christ (<a href="/galatians/6-2.htm">Galatians 6:2</a>).<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_sin.htm">Consequences of Sin</a></b><br>The iniquity of Israel led to their exile, reminding us that sin has real consequences, both individually and corporately.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/intercessory_role.htm">Intercessory Role</a></b><br>Ezekiel's act can be seen as a form of intercession, pointing to the importance of standing in the gap for others in prayer and action.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_in_obedience.htm">Faithfulness in Obedience</a></b><br>Ezekiel's willingness to perform this difficult task demonstrates the importance of obedience to God's call, even when it is challenging or uncomfortable.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ezekiel_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 4</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/ezekiel_4_4-5__lie_390_days_safely.htm">Ezekiel 4:4–5: How could someone realistically lie on one side for 390 days without serious health complications or interruptions? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_about_mime.htm">What does the Bible say about mime?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_malachi_4_conflict_with_grace.htm">Why does Malachi 4's emphasis on judgment seem to conflict with other biblical passages that portray God's grace and mercy toward evildoers?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_elisha's_act_in_2_kings_13_14-19_consistent.htm">How consistent is Elisha's symbolic act in 2 Kings 13:14–19 with other biblical prophecies, and does it question divine sovereignty?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ezekiel/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) <span class= "bld">Lie thou also upon thy left side.</span>--Here a fresh feature of this symbolical prophecy begins, while the former siege is still continued (<a href="/ezekiel/4-7.htm" title="Therefore you shall set your face toward the siege of Jerusalem, and your arm shall be uncovered, and you shall prophesy against it.">Ezekiel 4:7</a>).<p><span class= "bld">Lay the iniquity of the house of Israel upon it.</span>--The expression, <span class= "ital">to bear the iniquity of any one, </span>is common in Scripture to denote the suffering of the punishment due to sin. (See, among many other passages, <a href="/context/ezekiel/18-19.htm" title="Yet say you, Why? does not the son bear the iniquity of the father? When the son has done that which is lawful and right, and has kept all my statutes, and has done them, he shall surely live.">Ezekiel 18:19-20</a>; <a href="/ezekiel/23-35.htm" title="Therefore thus said the Lord GOD; Because you have forgotten me, and cast me behind your back, therefore bear you also your lewdness and your prostitutions.">Ezekiel 23:35</a>; <a href="/leviticus/19-8.htm" title="Therefore every one that eats it shall bear his iniquity, because he has profaned the hallowed thing of the LORD: and that soul shall be cut off from among his people.">Leviticus 19:8</a>; <a href="/numbers/14-34.htm" title="After the number of the days in which you searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall you bear your iniquities, even forty years, and you shall know my breach of promise.">Numbers 14:34</a>; <a href="/isaiah/53-12.htm" title="Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he has poured out his soul to death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.">Isaiah 53:12</a>.) It is clear, therefore, that Ezekiel is here to represent the people as enduring the Divine judgment upon their sins. This may seem inconsistent with his representing at the same time the besiegers of Jerusalem, the instruments in the Divine hand for inflicting that punishment; but such inconsistencies are common enough in all symbolic representations, and neither offend nor in any way mar the effect of the representation. "The house of Israel" is here expressly distinguished from "the house of Judah," and means the ten tribes. They are symbolised by the prophet's lying on his <span class= "ital">left </span>side, because it was the Oriental habit to look to the east when describing the points of the compass, and the northern kingdom was therefore on the left. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ezekiel/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Lie thou also upon thy</span> <span class="cmt_word">left</span> <span class="cmt_word">side,</span> etc. We find the explanation of the attitude in <a href="/ezekiel/16-46.htm">Ezekiel 16:46</a>. Samaria was on the "left hand," <span class="accented">i.e.</span> to the north, as a man looked to the east. So the same word <span class="accented">yamin</span> is both "the south" (<a href="/1_samuel/23-19.htm">1 Samuel 23:19, 24</a>; <a href="/psalms/84-12.htm">Psalm 84:12</a>) and "the right hand." Here, accordingly, the "house of Israel" is taken in its specific sense, as the northern kingdom as distinguished from the "house of Judah" in ver. 6. <span class="cmt_word">Thou shalt bear their iniquity;</span> <span class="accented">ie.</span>, as in all similar passages (<a href="/exodus/28-43.htm">Exodus 28:43</a>; <a href="/leviticus/5-17.htm">Leviticus 5:17</a>; <a href="/leviticus/7-18.htm">Leviticus 7:18</a>; <a href="/numbers/18-1.htm">Numbers 18:1</a>, <span class="accented">et al</span>.), the punishment of their iniquity. The words so taken will help us to understand the numerical symbolism of the words that followed. The prophet was by this act to identify himself with both divisions of the nation, by representing in this strange form at once the severity and the limits of their punishment. I adopt, without any hesitation, the view that we have here the record of a fact, and not of a vision narrated. The object of the act was to startle men and make them wonder. As week after week went on this, <span class="accented">exceptis excipiendis</span>, was to be Ezekiel's permanent attitude, as of one crushed to the very ground, prostrate under the burden thus laid upon him, as impersonating his people. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ezekiel/4-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Then lie down</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁכַב֙</span> <span class="translit">(šə·ḵaḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7901.htm">Strong's 7901: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lie down</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your left</span><br /><span class="heb">הַשְּׂמָאלִ֔י</span> <span class="translit">(haś·śə·mā·lî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8042.htm">Strong's 8042: </a> </span><span class="str2">Situated on the left side</span><br /><br /><span class="word">side</span><br /><span class="heb">צִדְּךָ֣</span> <span class="translit">(ṣid·də·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6654.htm">Strong's 6654: </a> </span><span class="str2">A side, an adversary</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and place</span><br /><span class="heb">וְשַׂמְתָּ֛</span> <span class="translit">(wə·śam·tā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7760.htm">Strong's 7760: </a> </span><span class="str2">Put -- to put, place, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the iniquity</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲוֺ֥ן</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·wōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5771.htm">Strong's 5771: </a> </span><span class="str2">Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the house</span><br /><span class="heb">בֵּֽית־</span> <span class="translit">(bêṯ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> </span><span class="str2">A house</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Israel</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·rā·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> </span><span class="str2">Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc</span><br /><br /><span class="word">upon yourself.</span><br /><span class="heb">עָלָ֑יו</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·lāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">You are to bear</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּשָּׂ֖א</span> <span class="translit">(tiś·śā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5375.htm">Strong's 5375: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lift, carry, take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their iniquity</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲוֺנָֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·wō·nām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5771.htm">Strong's 5771: </a> </span><span class="str2">Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for the number</span><br /><span class="heb">מִסְפַּ֤ר</span> <span class="translit">(mis·par)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4557.htm">Strong's 4557: </a> </span><span class="str2">A number, definite, indefinite, narration</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of days</span><br /><span class="heb">הַיָּמִים֙</span> <span class="translit">(hay·yā·mîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you lie on your side.</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּשְׁכַּ֣ב</span> <span class="translit">(tiš·kaḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7901.htm">Strong's 7901: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lie down</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ezekiel/4-4.htm">Ezekiel 4:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ezekiel/4-4.htm">Ezekiel 4:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ezekiel/4-4.htm">Ezekiel 4:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/4-4.htm">Ezekiel 4:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/4-4.htm">Ezekiel 4:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ezekiel/4-4.htm">Ezekiel 4:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ezekiel/4-4.htm">Ezekiel 4:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ezekiel/4-4.htm">Ezekiel 4:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ezekiel/4-4.htm">Ezekiel 4:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ezekiel/4-4.htm">Ezekiel 4:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ezekiel/4-4.htm">OT Prophets: Ezekiel 4:4 Moreover lie you on your left side (Ezek. Eze Ezk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ezekiel/4-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ezekiel 4:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 4:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ezekiel/4-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ezekiel 4:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 4:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>