Prophecy Against the South

45 The word of the Lord came to me: 46 “Son of man, set your face toward(A) the south; preach against the south and prophesy against(B) the forest of the southland.(C) 47 Say to the southern forest:(D) ‘Hear the word of the Lord. This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am about to set fire to you, and it will consume(E) all your trees, both green and dry. The blazing flame will not be quenched, and every face from south to north(F) will be scorched by it.(G) 48 Everyone will see that I the Lord have kindled it; it will not be quenched.(H)’”

49 Then I said, “Sovereign Lord,(I) they are saying of me, ‘Isn’t he just telling parables?(J)’”[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Ezekiel 20:49 In Hebrew texts 20:45-49 is numbered 21:1-5.

Coming Judgment on the South

45 [a]This message came to me from the Lord: 46 “Son of Man, turn to the south and oppose it, talking toward the south. 47 Prophesy against the forest of the Negev,[b] ‘Listen to this message from the Lord. This is what the Lord God says: “Look out! I’m about to ignite a fire and set it against you. It will devour every tree—whether green or dry—that lives in you. This powerful flame will not be extinguishable, and the entire surface from south to north will be scorched by it. 48 Then everyone[c] will see that I, the Lord, have kindled it, because it won’t be extinguished.”’”

Ezekiel’s Complaint to God

49 Then I said, “O Lord God! They’re saying about me, ‘Isn’t he one to propound parables?’”

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Footnotes

  1. Ezekiel 20:45 This v. is 21:1 1n MT
  2. Ezekiel 20:47 I.e. southern region of Israel; cf. Josh 10:40
  3. Ezekiel 20:48 Lit. Then all flesh