The Sign of Exile
Ezekiel 12
Ezekiel is commanded to pack an exile's baggage and dig through the wall to carry it out in the people's sight, acting out how the prince and people of Jerusalem will go into captivity and how the prince will be captured yet not see Babylon before he dies there. The Lord also declares that the days of every vision are near and that false claims of long-delayed prophecy will no longer be heard.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonAGAIN a word of the Lord came to me, saying,
BrentonAnd the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο λόγος Κυρίου πρὸς μὲ, λέγων,
KJVThe word of the LORD also came unto me, saying,
JPSThe word of the LORD also came unto me, saying:
2
ThomsonSon of man, thou dwellest in the midst of these unrighteous men who have eyes to see but do not see; and have ears to hear, but do not hear. Because they are a rebellious house,
BrentonSon of man, thou dwellest in the midst of the iniquities of those, who have eyes to see, and see not; and have ears to hear, and hear not: because it is a provoking house.
Greekυἱὲ ἀνθρώπου, ἐν μέσῳ τῶν ἀδικιῶν αὐτῶν σὺ κατοικεῖς, οἳ ἔχουσιν ὀφθαλμοὺς τοῦ βλέπειν, καὶ οὐ βλέπουσι, καὶ ὦτα ἔχουσι τοῦ ἀκούειν, καὶ οὐκ ἀκούουσι, διότι οἶκος παραπικραίνων ἐστί.
KJVSon of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they are a rebellious house.
JPS’Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of the rebellious house, that have eyes to see, and see not, that have ears to hear, and hear not; for they are a rebellious house.
3
Thomsondo thou therefore, son of man, in their sight provide thyself utensils for a day of captivity. And thou shalt be carried captive from this place of thine to another place, in their sight, that they may see.
BrentonThou therefore, son of man, prepare thyself baggage for going into captivity by day in their sight; and thou shalt be led into captivity from thy place into another place in their sight; that they may see that it is a provoking house.
GreekΚαὶ σὺ, υἱὲ ἀνθρώπου, ποίησον σεαυτῷ σκεύη αἰχμαλωσίας ἡμέρας ἐνώπιον αὐτῶν, καὶ αἰχμαλωτευθήσῃ ἐκ τοῦ τόπου σου εἰς ἕτερον τόπον ἐνώπιον αὐτῶν, ὅπως ἴδωσι διότι οἶκος παραπικραίνων ἐστί.
KJVTherefore, 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 be a rebellious house.
JPSTherefore, thou son of man, prepare thee stuff for exile, and remove as though for exile by day in their sight; and thou shalt remove from thy place to another place in their sight; it may be they will perceive, for they are a rebellious house.
4
ThomsonBecause they are a rebellious house, therefore thou shalt carry out thy utensils, the utensils for a day of captivity, before their eyes. And thou shalt go out in the evening in their sight, as a captive goeth out.
BrentonAnd thou shalt carry forth thy baggage, baggage for captivity, by day before their eyes: and thou shalt go forth at even, as a captive goes forth, in their sight.
GreekΚαὶ ἐξοίσεις τὰ σκεύη σου σκεύη αἰχμαλωσίας ἡμέρας κατʼ ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτῶν, καὶ σὺ ἐξελεύσῃ ἑσπέρας, ὡς ἐκπορεύεται αἰχμάλωτος ἐνώπιον αὐτῶν.
KJVThen shalt thou bring forth thy stuff by day in their sight, as stuff for removing: and thou shalt go forth at even in their sight, as they that go forth into captivity.
JPSAnd thou shalt bring forth thy stuff by day in their sight, as stuff for exile; and thou shalt go forth thyself at even in their sight, as when men go forth into exile.
5
ThomsonMake for thyself a breach in the wall and thou shalt go out through that, in their sight.
BrentonDig for thyself into the wall of the house, and thou shalt pass through it in their sight:
GreekΔιόρυξον σεαυτῷ εἰς τὸν τοῖχον, καὶ διεξελεύσῃ διʼ αὐτοῦ ἐνώπιον αὐτῶν·
KJVDig thou through the wall in their sight, and carry out thereby.
JPSDig thou through the wall in their sight, and carry out thereby.
6
ThomsonThou shalt be taken up upon shoulders and shalt go out in a secret manner. Thou shalt cover thy face and not see the ground, for I have made thee a sign for the house of Israel.
Brentonthou shalt be lifted up on men's shoulders, and shalt go forth in secret: thou shalt cover thy face, and shalt not see the ground: because I have made thee a sign to the house of Israel.
Greekἐπʼ ὤμων ἀναληφθήσῃ, καὶ κεκρυμμένος ἐξελεύσῃ, τὸ πρόσωπόν σου συγκαλύψεις, καὶ οὐ μὴ ἴδῃς τὴν γῆν, διότι τέρας δέδωκά σε τῷ οἴκῳ Ἰσραήλ.
KJVIn their sight shalt thou bear it upon thy shoulders, and carry it forth in the twilight: thou shalt cover thy face, that thou see not the ground: for I have set thee for a sign unto the house of Israel.
JPSIn their sight shalt thou bear it upon thy shoulder, and carry it forth in the darkness; thou shalt cover thy face, that thou see not the ground; for I have set thee for a sign unto the house of Israel.’
7
ThomsonSo when I had done according to all that He had commanded me; and had carried out utensils for a day of captivity, and made in the evening a breach for myself in the wall, and had gone out in a concealed manner, being taken up upon shoulders in their sight;
BrentonAnd I did thus according to all that he commanded me; and I carried forth my baggage for captivity by day, and in the evening I dug through the wall for myself, and went out secretly; I was taken up on men's shoulders before them.
GreekΚαὶ ἐποίησα οὕτως κατὰ πάντα ὅσα ἐνετείλατό μοι· καὶ σκεύη ἐξήνεγκα αἰχμαλωσίας ἡμέρας, καὶ ἑσπέρας διώρυξα ἐμαυτῷ τὸν τοῖχον, καὶ κεκρυμμένος ἐξῆλθον, ἐπʼ ὤμων ἀνελήφθην ἐνώπιον αὐτῶν.
KJVAnd I did so as I was commanded: I brought forth my stuff by day, as stuff for captivity, and in the even I digged through the wall with mine hand; I brought it forth in the twilight, and I bare it upon my shoulder in their sight.
JPSAnd I did so as I was commanded: I brought forth my stuff by day, as stuff for exile, and in the even I digged through the wall with my hand; I carried out in the darkness, and bore it upon my shoulder in their sight.
8
Thomsona word of the Lord came to me in the morning, saying,
BrentonAnd the word of the Lord came to me in the morning, saying,
GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο λόγος Κυρίου τοπρωῒ πρὸς μὲ, λέγων,
KJVAnd in the morning came the word of the LORD unto me, saying,
JPSAnd in the morning came the word of the LORD unto me, saying:
9
ThomsonSon of man, did not the house of Israel, that rebellious house, say to thee, What art thou doing?
BrentonSon of man, have not the house of Israel, the provoking house, said to thee, What doest thou?
Greekυἱὲ ἀνθρώπου, οὐκ εἶπαν πρὸς σὲ ὁ οἶκος τοῦ Ἰσραὴλ, οἶκος ὁ παραπικραίνων, τί σὺ ποιεῖς;
KJVSon of man, hath not the house of Israel, the rebellious house, said unto thee, What doest thou?
JPS’Son of man, hath not the house of Israel, the rebellious house, said unto thee: What doest thou?
10
ThomsonSay respecting them, Thus saith the Lord God: With respect to him who is the chief and the ruler in Jerusalem, even to all the house of Israel, who are among them
BrentonSay to them, Thus saith the Lord God, the Prince and the Ruler in Israel, even to all the house of Israel who are in the midst of them:
GreekΕἰπὸν πρὸς αὐτοὺς, Τάδε λέγει Κύριος Κύριος, ὁ ἄρχων καὶ ὁ ἀφηγούμενος ἐν Ἱερουσαλὴμ, καὶ παντὶ οἴκῳ Ἰσραὴλ, οἵ εἰσιν ἐν μέσῳ αὐτῶν,
KJVSay thou unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; This burden concerneth the prince in Jerusalem, and all the house of Israel that are among them.
JPSSay thou unto them: Thus saith the Lord GOD: Concerning the prince, even this burden, in Jerusalem, and all the house of Israel among whom they are,
11
Thomsonsay, I am acting signs. As I have done, so shall it be with them. They shall go into banishment and captivity.
Brentonsay, I am performing signs: as I have done, so shall it be to him: they shall go into banishment and captivity.
Greekεἰπὸν, ὅτι ἐγὼ τέρατα ποιῶ· ὃν τρόπον πεποίηκα, οὕτως ἔσται αὐτῷ· ἐν μετοικεσίᾳ καὶ ἐν αἰχμαλωσίᾳ πορεύσονται.
KJVSay, I am your sign: like as I have done, so shall it be done unto them: they shall remove and go into captivity.
JPSsay: I am your sign: like as I have done, so shall it be done unto them—they shall go into exile, into captivity.
12
ThomsonAnd the chief in the midst of them shall be carried upon shoulders. He will go out in a secret manner through the wall; and a breach will be made for him to go out through it. He will cover his face that he may not be seen and he himself shall not see the ground.
BrentonAnd the prince in the midst of them shall be borne upon shoulders, and shall go forth in secret through the wall, and shall dig so that he may go forth thereby: he shall cover his face, that he may not be seen by any eye, and he himself shall not see the ground.
GreekΚαὶ ὁ ἄρχων ἐν μέσῳ αὐτων ἐπʼ ὤμων ἀρθήσεται, καὶ κεκρυμμένος ἐξελεύσεται διὰ τοῦ τοίχου, καὶ διορύξει τοῦ ἐξελθεῖν αὐτὸν διʼ αὐτοῦ, τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ συγκαλύψει, ὅπως μὴ ὁραθῇ ὀφθαλμῷ, καὶ αὐτὸς τὴν γῆν οὐκ ὄψεται.
KJVAnd the prince that is among them shall bear upon his shoulder in the twilight, and shall go forth: they shall dig through the wall to carry out thereby: he shall cover his face, that he see not the ground with his eyes.
JPSAnd the prince that is among them shall bear upon his shoulder, and go forth in the darkness; they shall dig through the wall to carry out thereby; he shall cover his face, that he see not the ground with his eyes.
13
ThomsonBut I will spread My net over him and he shall be caught in My enclosure. And I will bring him to Babylon, to the land of the Chaldeans; but he shall not see it and he shall die there. And all his helpers about him, and all them who assist him,
BrentonAnd I will spread out my net upon him, and he shall be caught in my toils: and I will bring him to Babylon to the land of the Chaldeans; but he shall not see it, though he shall die there.
GreekΚαὶ ἐκπετάσω τὸ δίκτυόν μου ἐπʼ αὐτὸν, καὶ συλληφθήσεται ἐν τῇ περιοχῇ μου, καὶ ἄξω αὐτὸν εἰς Βαβυλῶνα εἰς γῆν Χαλδαίων, καὶ αὐτὴν οὐκ ὄψεται, καὶ ἐκεῖ τελευτήσει.
KJVMy net also will I spread upon him, and he shall be taken in my snare: and I will bring him to Babylon to the land of the Chaldeans; yet shall he not see it, though he shall die there.
JPSMy net also will I spread upon him, and he shall be taken in My snare; and I will bring him to Babylon to the land of the Chaldeans; yet shall he not see it, though he shall die there.
14
ThomsonI will scatter to every wind and make bare a sword to pursue them.
BrentonAnd I will scatter to every wind all his assistants round about him, and all that help him; and I will draw out a sword after them.
GreekΚαὶ πάντας τοὺς κύκλῳ αὐτοῦ τοὺς βοηθοὺς αὐτοῦ, καὶ πάντας τοὺς ἀντιλαμβανομένους αὐτοῦ, διασπερῶ εἰς πάντα ἄνεμον, καὶ ῥομφαίαν ἐκκενώσω ὀπίσω αὐτῶν.
KJVAnd I will scatter toward every wind all that are about him to help him, and all his bands; and I will draw out the sword after them.
JPSAnd I will disperse toward every wind all that are round about him to help him, and all his troops; and I will draw out the sword after them.
15
ThomsonAnd they shall know that I am the Lord, when I have dispersed them among the nations.
BrentonAnd they shall know that I am the Lord, when I have scattered them among the nations; and I will disperse them in the countries.
GreekΚαὶ γνώσονται διότι ἐγὼ Κύριος, ἐν τῷ διασκορπίσαι με αὐτοὺς ἐν τοῖς ἔθνεσι, καὶ διασπερῶ αὐτοὺς ἐν ταῖς χώραις.
KJVAnd they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall scatter them among the nations, and disperse them in the countries.
JPSAnd they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall scatter them among the nations, and disperse them in the countries.
16
ThomsonFor I will disperse them through the countries and leave a few of them from the sword, and from famine, and from pestilence, that they may declare all their iniquities among the nations whither they go. And they shall know that I am the Lord.
BrentonAnd I will leave of them a few men in number spared from the sword, and from famine, and from pestilence; that they may declare all their iniquities among the nations whither they have gone; and they shall know that I am the Lord.
GreekΚαὶ ὑπολείψομαι ἐξ αὐτῶν ἄνδρας ἀριθμῷ ἐκ ῥομφαίας, καὶ ἐκ λιμοῦ, καὶ ἐκ θανάτου, ὅπως ἐκδιηγῶνται πάσας τὰς ἀνομίας αὐτῶν ἐν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν οὗ εἰσήλθοσαν ἐκεῖ, καὶ γνώσονται ὅτι ἐγὼ Κύριος.
KJVBut I will leave a few men of them from the sword, from the famine, and from the pestilence; that they may declare all their abominations among the heathen whither they come; and they shall know that I am the LORD.
JPSBut I will leave a few men of them from the sword, from the famine, and from the pestilence; that they may declare all their abominations among the nations whither they come; and they shall know that I am the LORD.’
17
ThomsonAgain a word of the Lord came to me, saying,
BrentonAnd the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο λόγος Κυρίου πρὸς μὲ, λέγων,
KJVMoreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
JPSMoreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying:
18
ThomsonSon of man, thou shalt eat thy bread with sorrow and drink water with tribulation and affliction,
BrentonSon of man, eat thy bread with sorrow, and drink thy water with torment and affliction.
Greekυἱὲ ἀνθρώπου, τὸν ἄρτον σου μετὰ ὀδύνης φάγεσαι, καὶ τὸ ὕδωρ μετὰ βασάνου καὶ θλίψεως πίεσαι.
KJVSon of man, eat thy bread with quaking, and drink thy water with trembling and with carefulness;
JPS’Son of man, eat thy bread with quaking, and drink thy water with trembling and with anxiety;
19
Thomsonand thou shalt say respecting the people of that land, Thus saith the Lord to the inhabitants of Jerusalem in the land of Israel: They shall eat their loaves with scantiness, and drink water with astonishment, that the land may be wasted with the fulness thereof;
BrentonAnd thou shalt say to the people of the land, Thus saith the Lord to the inhabitants of Jerusalem on the land of Israel; They shall eat their bread in scarcity, and shall drink their water in desolation, that the land may be desolate with all that it contains: for all that dwell in it are ungodly.
GreekΚαὶ ἐρεῖς πρὸς τὸν λαὸν τῆς γῆς, τάδε λέγει Κύριος τοῖς κατοικοῦσιν Ἱερουσαλὴμ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς τοῦ Ἰσραὴλ, τοὺς ἄρτους αὐτῶν μετὰ ἐνδείας φάγονται, καὶ τὸ ὕδωρ αὐτῶν μετὰ ἀφανισμοῦ πίονται, ὅπως ἀφανισθῇ ἡ γῆ σὺν πληρώματι αὐτῆς· ἐν ἀσεβείᾳ γὰρ πάντες οἱ κατοικοῦντες ἐν αὐτῇ.
KJVAnd say unto the people of the land, Thus saith the Lord GOD of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and of the land of Israel; They shall eat their bread with carefulness, and drink their water with astonishment, that her land may be desolate from all that is therein, because of the violence of all them that dwell therein.
JPSand say unto the people of the land: Thus saith the Lord GOD concerning the inhabitants of Jerusalem in the land of Israel. They shall eat their bread with anxiety, and drink their water with appalment, that her land may be desolate from all that is therein, because of the violence of all them that dwell therein.
20
Thomsonfor all its inhabitants are in a course of impiety; and their cities which are inhabited shall be laid waste and the land shall be a desolation, and ye shall know that I am the Lord.
BrentonAnd their inhabited cities shall be laid utterly waste, and the land shall be desolate; and ye shall know that I am the Lord.
GreekΚαὶ αἱ πόλεις αὐτῶν αἱ κατοικούμεναι ἐξερημωθήσονται, καὶ ἡ γῆ εἰς ἀφανισμὸν ἔσται, καὶ ἐπιγνώσεσθε διότι ἐγὼ Κύριος.
KJVAnd the cities that are inhabited shall be laid waste, and the land shall be desolate; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
JPSAnd the cities that are inhabited shall be laid waste, and the land shall be desolate; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.’
21
ThomsonAgain a word of the Lord came to me saying,
BrentonAnd the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο λόγος Κυρίου πρὸς μὲ, λέγων,
KJVAnd the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
JPSAnd the word of the LORD came unto me, saying:
22
ThomsonSon of man, what proverb is this which you have concerning Israel, saying, The days are far off. Vision is lost;
BrentonSon of man, what is your parable on the land of Israel, that ye say, The days are long, the vision has perished?
Greekυἱὲ ἀνθρώπου, τίς ἡ παραβολὴ ὑμῖν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς τοῦ Ἰσραὴλ, λέγοντες, μακραὶ αἱ ἡμέραι, ἀπόλωλεν ὅρασις;
KJVSon of man, what is that proverb that ye have in the land of Israel, saying, The days are prolonged, and every vision faileth?
JPS’Son of man, what is that proverb that ye have in the land of Israel, saying: The days are prolonged, and every vision faileth?
23
Thomsontherefore say to them, Thus saith the Lord: I will change this parable, and the house of Israel shall no more use it; for thou shalt say to them, The days are at hand and the word of every vision.
BrentonTherefore say to them, Thus saith the Lord; I will even set aside this parable, and the house of Israel shall no more at all use this parable: for thou shalt say to them, The days are at hand, and the import of every vision.
GreekΔιατοῦτο εἰπὸν πρὸς αὐτούς, Τάδε λέγει Κύριος, καὶ ἀποστρέψω τὴν παραβολὴν ταύτην, καὶ οὐκέτι μὴ εἴπωσι τὴν παραβολὴν ταύτην οἶκος τοῦ Ἰσραήλ, ὅτι λαλήσεις πρὸς αὐτούς, ἡγγίκασιν αἱ ἡμέραι, καὶ λόγος πάσης ὁράσεως.
KJVTell them therefore, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will make this proverb to cease, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel; but say unto them, The days are at hand, and the effect of every vision.
JPSTell them therefore: Thus saith the Lord GOD: I will make this proverb to cease, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel; but say unto them: The days are at hand, and the word of every vision.
24
ThomsonFor there shall no more be a false vision of any sort, or a flattering diviner among the children of Israel;
BrentonFor there shall no more be any false vision, nor any one prophesying flatteries in the midst of the children of Israel.
GreekὍτι οὐκ ἔσται ἔτι πᾶσα ὅρασις ψευδὴς, καὶ μαντευόμενος τὰ πρὸς χάριν ἐν μέσῳ τῶν υἱῶν Ἰσραήλ.
KJVFor there shall be no more any vain vision nor flattering divination within the house of Israel.
JPSFor there shall be no more any vain vision nor smooth divination within the house of Israel.
25
Thomsonfor I the Lord will speak My words—I will speak and perform, and no more put off to a distant time. For in these your days, O rebellious house, I will speak a word and perform it, saith the Lord.
BrentonFor I the Lord will speak my words; I will speak and perform them, and will no more delay, for in your days, O provoking house, I will speak the word, and will perform it, saith the Lord.
GreekΔιότι ἐγὼ Κύριος λαλήσω τοὺς λόγους μου, λαλήσω καὶ ποιήσω, καὶ οὐ μὴ μηκύνω ἔτι· ὅτι ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ὑμῶν οἶκος ὁ παραπικραίνων, λαλήσω λόγον καὶ ποιήσω, λέγει Κύριος.
KJVFor I am the LORD: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; it shall be no more prolonged: for in your days, O rebellious house, will I say the word, and will perform it, saith the Lord GOD.
JPSFor I am the LORD; I will speak, what word soever it be that I shall speak, and it shall be performed; it shall be no more delayed; for in your days, O rebellious house, will I speak the word, and will perform it, saith the Lord GOD.’
26
ThomsonAgain a word of the Lord came to me, saying,
BrentonMoreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο λόγος Κυρίου πρὸς μὲ, λέγων,
KJVAgain the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
JPSAgain the word of the LORD came to me, saying:
27
ThomsonSon of man, behold the house of Israel, that rebellious house; speak saying, The vision which this man seeth is for many days; and for times far distant he prophesieth;
BrentonSon of man, behold, the provoking house of Israel boldly say, The vision which this man sees is for many days, and he prophesies for times afar off.
Greekυἱὲ ἀνθρώπου, ἰδοὺ ὁ οἶκος Ἰσραὴλ ὁ παραπικραίνων, λέγοντες λέγουσιν, ἡ ὅρασις ἣν οὗτος ὁρᾷ, εἰς ἡμέρας πολλὰς, καὶ εἰς καιροὺς μακροὺς οὗτος προφητεύει.
KJVSon of man, behold, they of the house of Israel say, The vision that he seeth is for many days to come, and he prophesieth of the times that are far off.
JPS’Son of man, behold, they of the house of Israel say: The vision that he seeth is for many days to come, and he prophesieth of times that are far off.
28
Thomsontherefore say unto them, Thus saith the Lord: None of my words which I speak shall any more be prolonged. I will speak and I will perform, saith the Lord.
BrentonTherefore say to them, Thus saith the Lord; Henceforth none of my words shall linger, which I shall speak: I will speak and do, saith the Lord.
GreekΔιατοῦτο εἰπὸν πρὸς αὐτοὺς, Τάδε λέγει Κύριος, οὐ μὴ μηκύνωσιν οὐκέτι πάντες οἱ λόγοι μου, οὓς ἂν λαλήσω· λαλήσω καὶ ποιήσω, λέγει Κύριος.
KJVTherefore say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; There shall none of my words be prolonged any more, but the word which I have spoken shall be done, saith the Lord GOD.
JPSTherefore say unto them: Thus saith the Lord GOD: There shall none of My words be delayed any more, but the word which I shall speak shall be performed, saith the Lord GOD.’