CINXE.COM

<!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 4:1 "Now you, son of man, take a brick, place it before you, and draw on it the city of Jerusalem.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ezekiel/4-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/26_Ezk_04_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ezekiel 4:1 - A Sign of Jerusalem's Siege" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Now you, son of man, take a brick, place it before you, and draw on it the city of Jerusalem." /><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/4-1.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/4-1.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 1</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="/ad1.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/3-27.htm" title="Ezekiel 3:27">◄</a> Ezekiel 4:1 <a href="/ezekiel/4-2.htm" title="Ezekiel 4:2">►</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 />&#8220Now, son of man, take a block of clay, put it in front of you and draw the city of Jerusalem on it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ezekiel/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“And now, son of man, take a large clay brick and set it down in front of you. Then draw a map of the city of Jerusalem on it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ezekiel/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“And you, son of man, take a brick and lay it before you, and engrave on it a city, even Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Now you, son of man, take a brick, place it before you, and draw on it the city of Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Thou also, son of man, take thee a tile, and lay it before thee, and pourtray upon it the city, <i>even</i> Jerusalem:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ezekiel/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“You also, son of man, take a clay tablet and lay it before you, and portray on it a city, Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ezekiel/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Now you, son of man, get yourself a brick, place it before you, and inscribe a city on it—Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Now you son of man, get yourself a brick, place it before you and inscribe a city on it, Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ezekiel/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Now you son of man, get yourself a brick, place it before you, and inscribe a city on it, Jerusalem.<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, son of man, get yourself a brick, set it before you, and inscribe a city on it, Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ezekiel/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Now you, son of man, take a brick, place it before you and inscribe on it [a diagram of] the city of Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ezekiel/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Now you, son of man, take a brick, set it in front of you, and draw the city of Jerusalem on it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ezekiel/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now you, son of man, take a brick, set it in front of you, and draw the city of Jerusalem on it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ezekiel/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Thou also, son of man, take thee a tile, and lay it before thee, and portray upon it a city, even Jerusalem:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ezekiel/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Ezekiel, son of man, find a brick and sketch a picture of Jerusalem on it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ezekiel/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Thou also, son of man, take thee a tile, and lay it before thee, and pourtray upon it a city, even Jerusalem:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ezekiel/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />[The LORD said,] "Son of man, take clay, put it in front of you, and draw a map of Jerusalem on it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ezekiel/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />God said, "Mortal man, get a brick, put it in front of you, and scratch lines on it to represent the city of Jerusalem. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ezekiel/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"And now Son of Man, you are to take a brick, set it in front of you, and inscribe on it the outline of the city—that is, Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ezekiel/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?Now you, son of man, take a brick, place it before you, and draw on it the city of Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ezekiel/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"And you, son of man, take a brick and set it in front of you. Inscribe a city on it--Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ezekiel/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"You also, son of man, take a tile, and lay it before yourself, and portray on it a city, even Jerusalem:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ezekiel/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Thou also, son of man, take thee a tile, and lay it before thee, and pourtray upon it the city, even Jerusalem;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ezekiel/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“You also, son of man, take a tile, and lay it before yourself, and portray on it a city, even Jerusalem. <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, son of man, take a brick for yourself, and you have put it before you, and have carved a city on it—Jerusalem,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ezekiel/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'And thou, son of man, take to thee a brick, and thou hast put it before thee, and hast graven on it a city -- Jerusalem,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ezekiel/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And thou son of man take to thee a brick, and give thou it before thee, and delineate upon it the city Jerusalem;<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, O son of man, take thee a tile, and lay it before thee: and draw upon it the plan of the city of Jerusalem. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ezekiel/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />“And as for you, son of man, take up for yourself a tablet, and you shall set it before you. And you shall draw upon it the city of Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ezekiel/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />You, son of man, take a clay tablet; place it in front of you, and draw on it a city, Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ezekiel/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />And you, O mortal, take a brick and set it before you. On it portray a city, Jerusalem;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ezekiel/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />YOU also, O Son of man, take a brick and lay it before you, and draw upon it the outline of the city of Jerusalem;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ezekiel/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />“But you, son of man, take for yourself a brick and set it in front of you and trace on it the city Jerusalem<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ezekiel/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Thou also, son of man, take thee a tile, and lay it before thee, and trace upon it a city, even Jerusalem;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ezekiel/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And thou, son of man, take thee a brick, and thou shalt set it before thy face, and shalt portray on it the city, <i>even</i> Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ezekiel/4-1.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=691" 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">1</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: wə·’at·tāh (Conj-w:: Pro-2ms) -- You (masc. sing.). ">“Now you,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ḇen- (N-msc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">son</a> <a href="/hebrew/120.htm" title="120: ’ā·ḏām (N-ms) -- Man, mankind. From 'adam; ruddy i.e. A human being.">of man,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: qaḥ- (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">take</a> <a href="/hebrew/lə·ḵā (Prep:: 2ms) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3843.htm" title="3843: lə·ḇê·nāh (N-fs) -- Brick, tile. From laban; a brick.">a brick,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: wə·nā·ṯat·tāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-2ms) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">place</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·w·ṯāh (DirObjM:: 3fs) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">it</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lə·p̄ā·ne·ḵā (Prep-l:: N-cpc:: 2ms) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">before you,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2710.htm" title="2710: wə·ḥaq·qō·w·ṯā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-2ms) -- To cut in, inscribe, decree. A primitive root; properly, to hack, i.e. Engrave; by implication, to enact or Prescribe.">and draw</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ā·le·hā (Prep:: 3fs) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">on it</a> <a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: ‘îr (N-fs) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense.">the city</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/3389.htm" title="3389: yə·rū·šā·lim (N-proper-fs) -- Probably foundation of peace, capital city of all Isr. ">of Jerusalem.</a> </span><span class="reftext">2</span>Then lay siege against it: Construct a siege wall, build a ramp to it, set up camps against it, and place battering rams around it on all sides.…<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="/jeremiah/13-1.htm">Jeremiah 13:1-11</a></span><br />This is what the LORD said to me: “Go and buy yourself a linen loincloth and put it around your waist, but do not let it touch water.” / So I bought a loincloth in accordance with the word of the LORD, and I put it around my waist. / Then the word of the LORD came to me a second time: ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/20-2.htm">Isaiah 20:2-4</a></span><br />the LORD had already spoken through Isaiah son of Amoz, saying, “Go, remove the sackcloth from your waist and the sandals from your feet.” And Isaiah did so, walking around naked and barefoot. / Then the LORD said, “Just as My servant Isaiah has gone naked and barefoot for three years as a sign and omen against Egypt and Cush, / so the king of Assyria will lead away the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Cush, young and old alike, naked and barefoot, with bared buttocks—to Egypt’s shame.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/19-1.htm">Jeremiah 19:1-15</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: “Go and buy a clay jar from a potter. Take some of the elders of the people and leaders of the priests, / and go out to the Valley of Ben-hinnom near the entrance of the Potsherd Gate. Proclaim there the words I speak to you, / saying, ‘Hear the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah and residents of Jerusalem. This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: I am going to bring such disaster on this place that the ears of all who hear of it will ring, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/27-2.htm">Jeremiah 27:2-3</a></span><br />This is what the LORD said to me: “Make for yourself a yoke out of leather straps and put it on your neck. / Send word to the kings of Edom, Moab, Ammon, Tyre, and Sidon through the envoys who have come to Jerusalem to Zedekiah king of Judah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/18-1.htm">Jeremiah 18:1-6</a></span><br />This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: / “Go down at once to the potter’s house, and there I will give you My message.” / So I went down to the potter’s house and saw him working at the wheel. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/25-1.htm">2 Kings 25:1</a></span><br />So in the ninth year of Zedekiah’s reign, on the tenth day of the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his entire army. They encamped outside the city and built a siege wall all around it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/32-24.htm">Jeremiah 32:24</a></span><br />See how the siege ramps are mounted against the city to capture it. And by sword and famine and plague, the city has been given into the hands of the Chaldeans who are fighting against it. What You have spoken has happened, as You now see!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/52-4.htm">Jeremiah 52:4</a></span><br />So in the ninth year of Zedekiah’s reign, on the tenth day of the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his entire army. They encamped outside the city and built a siege wall all around it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/5-25.htm">Daniel 5:25-28</a></span><br />Now this is the inscription that was written: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN. / And this is the interpretation of the message: MENE means that God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end. / TEKEL means that you have been weighed on the scales and found deficient. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/11-1.htm">Revelation 11:1-2</a></span><br />Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff and was told, “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count the number of worshipers there. / But exclude the courtyard outside the temple. Do not measure it, because it has been given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for 42 months.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/21-10.htm">Revelation 21:10-12</a></span><br />And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the holy city of Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, / shining with the glory of God. Its radiance was like a most precious jewel, like a jasper, as clear as crystal. / The city had a great and high wall with twelve gates inscribed with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, and twelve angels at the gates.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-15.htm">Matthew 24:15-16</a></span><br />So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand), / then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/21-20.htm">Luke 21:20-22</a></span><br />But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you will know that her desolation is near. / Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country stay out of the city. / For these are the days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/21-11.htm">Acts 21:11</a></span><br />Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own feet and hands, and said, “The Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and hand him over to the Gentiles.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/18-21.htm">Revelation 18:21</a></span><br />Then a mighty angel picked up a stone the size of a great millstone and cast it into the sea, saying: “With such violence the great city of Babylon will be cast down, never to be seen again.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">You also, son of man, take you a tile, and lay it before you, and portray on it the city, even Jerusalem:</p><p class="hdg">take</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/5-1.htm">Ezekiel 5:1</a></b></br> And thou, son of man, take thee a sharp knife, take thee a barber's rasor, and cause <i>it</i> to pass upon thine head and upon thy beard: then take thee balances to weigh, and divide the <i>hair</i>.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/12-3.htm">Ezekiel 12:3</a></b></br> Therefore, thou son of man, prepare thee stuff for removing, and remove by day in their sight; and thou shalt remove from thy place to another place in their sight: it may be they will consider, though they <i>be</i> a rebellious house.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/15-27.htm">1 Samuel 15:27,28</a></b></br> And as Samuel turned about to go away, he laid hold upon the skirt of his mantle, and it rent… </p><p class="hdg">a tile.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jeremiah/43-9.htm">Brick</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-14.htm">City</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-2.htm">Clay</a> <a href="/ezekiel/2-10.htm">Front</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-52.htm">Graven</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-8.htm">Inscribe</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-12.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/ezekiel/3-25.htm">Lay</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-9.htm">Picture</a> <a href="/ezekiel/43-11.htm">Portray</a> <a href="/jeremiah/17-1.htm">Tablet</a> <a href="/leviticus/13-10.htm">Trace</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/nahum/3-14.htm">Brick</a> <a href="/ezekiel/4-3.htm">City</a> <a href="/daniel/2-33.htm">Clay</a> <a href="/ezekiel/6-4.htm">Front</a> <a href="/hosea/11-2.htm">Graven</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-2.htm">Inscribe</a> <a href="/ezekiel/4-7.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/ezekiel/4-2.htm">Lay</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-15.htm">Picture</a> <a href="/ezekiel/43-11.htm">Portray</a> <a href="/luke/1-63.htm">Tablet</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-27.htm">Trace</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>Now you, son of man</b><br>The term "son of man" is a title used frequently for Ezekiel, emphasizing his humanity and role as a representative of the people. It is also a title Jesus used for Himself, highlighting His identification with humanity. In Ezekiel's context, it underscores his prophetic mission and the divine authority behind his actions.<p><b>take a brick</b><br>Bricks were common building materials in ancient Mesopotamia, often used for construction due to the scarcity of stone. This action symbolizes the tangible and concrete nature of the prophecy Ezekiel is about to deliver. The use of a brick indicates a message that is foundational and enduring.<p><b>place it before you</b><br>This instruction signifies the importance of the message being delivered directly and personally. It suggests that the prophecy is not just for the distant future but is relevant and immediate. The act of placing the brick before him indicates a deliberate and intentional act of communication from God to His people.<p><b>and draw on it the city of Jerusalem</b><br>Ezekiel is instructed to depict Jerusalem on the brick, symbolizing the city itself. This act of drawing represents the siege and judgment that will come upon Jerusalem. It serves as a visual prophecy, making the impending destruction clear to the exiles. Jerusalem, the spiritual and political center of Israel, is central to God's covenant with His people, and its fate is a significant theme in biblical prophecy. This action foreshadows the Babylonian siege and destruction of Jerusalem, as well as the eventual hope of restoration.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/e/ezekiel.htm">Ezekiel</a></b><br>A prophet and priest during the Babylonian exile, called by God to deliver messages to the Israelites.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The capital city of Judah, significant in Jewish history and the focal point of God's covenant with His people.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/b/brick.htm">Brick</a></b><br>A clay tablet used by Ezekiel as a visual aid to symbolize the siege of Jerusalem.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/s/siege_of_jerusalem.htm">Siege of Jerusalem</a></b><br>A prophetic act symbolizing the impending Babylonian siege and destruction of Jerusalem.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/b/babylonian_exile.htm">Babylonian Exile</a></b><br>The period when the Israelites were taken captive by Babylon, a pivotal event in Jewish history.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/s/symbolic_actions_in_prophecy.htm">Symbolic Actions in Prophecy</a></b><br>Ezekiel's use of a brick illustrates how God often uses tangible symbols to communicate spiritual truths. This encourages believers to seek understanding of God's messages in both word and deed.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_a_prophet.htm">The Role of a Prophet</a></b><br>Ezekiel's obedience in performing symbolic acts highlights the importance of faithfulness in delivering God's message, regardless of personal cost or public perception.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/j/judgment_and_mercy.htm">Judgment and Mercy</a></b><br>The prophecy of Jerusalem's siege serves as a reminder of God's justice but also His desire for repentance and restoration. Believers are called to heed warnings and turn back to God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/historical_context_and_spiritual_lessons.htm">Historical Context and Spiritual Lessons</a></b><br>Understanding the historical context of biblical events enriches our comprehension of spiritual lessons. It encourages believers to study the Bible holistically.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>The prophecy underscores God's control over nations and history, reassuring believers of His ultimate authority and plan.<a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ezekiel/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>IV.</span><p>(1) <span class= "bld">Take thee a tile.</span>--The use of tiles for such purposes as that here indicated was common both in Babylonia and in Nineveh. When intended for preservation the writing or drawing was made upon the soft and plastic clay, which was afterwards baked. It is from the remains of great libraries prepared in this way that most of our modern knowledge of Nineveh and Babylon has been derived. It is, of course, quite possible that Ezekiel may have drawn in this way upon a soft clay tile; but from the whole account in this and the following chapters it is more likely that he simply described, rather than actually performed, these symbolical acts.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ezekiel/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 1.</span> - The first sign in this method of unspoken prophecy was to indicate to the exiles of Tel-Abib that which they were unwilling to believe The day of uncertain hopes and fears, of delusive dreams and promises (<a href="/jeremiah/27-16.htm">Jeremiah 27:16</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/28-1.htm">Jeremiah 28:1-3</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/29-21.htm">Jeremiah 29:21</a>), was nearly over. The siege of Jerusalem in spite of Zedekiab's Egyptian alliance, was a thing decreed. Four years before it came - we are now between the fourth month of the fifth year (<a href="/ezekiel/1-2.htm">Ezekiel 1:2</a>) and the sixth month of the sixth year (<a href="/ezekiel/8-1.htm">Ezekiel 8:1</a>) of Zedekiah. and the siege began in the ninth year (<a href="/2_kings/25-1.htm">2 Kings 25:1</a>) - Ezekiel, on the segnius irritant principle, brought it, as here narrated, before the eyes of the exiles. That he did so implies a certain artistic culture, in possessing which he stands alone, so far as we know, among the prophets of Israel, and to which his residence in the land of the Chaldees may have contributed. He takes a tile, or tablet of baked clay, such as were used in Babylon and Assyria for private contracts, historical inscriptions, astronomical observations (Pliny, 'Hist. Nat.,' 7:57), and the like, which were, in fact, the books of that place and time, and of which whole libraries have been brought to light in recent excavations (Layard, 'Nineveh and Babylon,' ch. 22) and engraves upon it the outlines of "a city" (Revised Version), in which the exiles would at once recognize the city of their fathers, the towers which they had once counted (<a href="/isaiah/33-18.htm">Isaiah 33:18</a>; <a href="/psalms/48-12.htm">Psalm 48:12</a>), the temple which had been their glory and their joy. Bricks with such scenes on them were found among the ruins of Nimroud, now in the British Museum (Layard, <span class="accented">ut supra</span>, ch. 7, p. 167). It is not difficult to picture to ourselves the wondering curiosity with which Ezekiel's neighbours would watch the strange proceeding. In this case the sign would be more impressive than any spoken utterance. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ezekiel/4-1.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">Now you,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאַתָּ֤ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’at·tāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_859.htm">Strong's 859: </a> </span><span class="str2">Thou and thee, ye and you</span><br /><br /><span class="word">son</span><br /><span class="heb">בֶן־</span> <span class="translit">(ḇen-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of man,</span><br /><span class="heb">אָדָם֙</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḏām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_120.htm">Strong's 120: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ruddy, a human being</span><br /><br /><span class="word">take</span><br /><span class="heb">קַח־</span> <span class="translit">(qaḥ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> </span><span class="str2">To take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a brick,</span><br /><span class="heb">לְבֵנָ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ḇê·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3843.htm">Strong's 3843: </a> </span><span class="str2">Brick, tile</span><br /><br /><span class="word">place</span><br /><span class="heb">וְנָתַתָּ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·nā·ṯat·tāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">it</span><br /><span class="heb">אוֹתָ֖הּ</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·w·ṯāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Direct object marker | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> </span><span class="str2">Untranslatable mark of the accusative case</span><br /><br /><span class="word">before you,</span><br /><span class="heb">לְפָנֶ֑יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(lə·p̄ā·ne·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> </span><span class="str2">The face</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and draw</span><br /><span class="heb">וְחַקּוֹתָ֥</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḥaq·qō·w·ṯā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2710.htm">Strong's 2710: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hack, engrave, to enact, prescribe</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on it</span><br /><span class="heb">עָלֶ֛יהָ</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·le·hā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person feminine 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">the city</span><br /><span class="heb">עִ֖יר</span> <span class="translit">(‘îr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> </span><span class="str2">Excitement</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Jerusalem.</span><br /><span class="heb">יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(yə·rū·šā·lim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3389.htm">Strong's 3389: </a> </span><span class="str2">Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ezekiel/4-1.htm">Ezekiel 4:1 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ezekiel/4-1.htm">Ezekiel 4:1 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ezekiel/4-1.htm">Ezekiel 4:1 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/4-1.htm">Ezekiel 4:1 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/4-1.htm">Ezekiel 4:1 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ezekiel/4-1.htm">Ezekiel 4:1 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ezekiel/4-1.htm">Ezekiel 4:1 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ezekiel/4-1.htm">Ezekiel 4:1 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ezekiel/4-1.htm">Ezekiel 4:1 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ezekiel/4-1.htm">Ezekiel 4:1 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ezekiel/4-1.htm">OT Prophets: Ezekiel 4:1 You also son of man take (Ezek. Eze Ezk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ezekiel/3-27.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ezekiel 3:27"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 3:27" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ezekiel/4-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ezekiel 4:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 4:2" /></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>