“Now you, son of man, take a brick, place it before you, and draw on it the city of Jerusalem.
Parallel translations
- WEB “You also, son of man, take a tile, and lay it before yourself, and portray on it a city, even Jerusalem.
- KJV Thou also, son of man, take thee a tile, and lay it before thee, and pourtray upon it the city, even Jerusalem:
- NKJV “You also, son of man, take a clay tablet and lay it before you, and portray on it a city, Jerusalem.
- NASB “Now you, son of man, get yourself a brick, place it before you, and inscribe a city on it—Jerusalem.
- NLT “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.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
God tells Ezekiel to take a clay tablet and portray Jerusalem on it. This begins a dramatized prophecy of Jerusalem's siege.
Overview
Ezekiel is to engrave a map of Jerusalem on a soft clay brick, a common writing surface in Babylon. This sign-act vividly previews the coming siege of the city. Enacted prophecy made God's warning tangible to the exiles. It shows God graphically declaring judgment on the beloved but rebellious city.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 16
- Hos 1:2–9When the LORD first spoke through Hosea, He told him, “Go, take a prostitute as your wife and have children of adultery, because this land is flagrantly prostituting itself by departing from the LORD.”
- Jer 6:6For this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Cut down the trees and raise a siege ramp against Jerusalem. This city must be punished; there is nothing but oppression in her midst.
- Jer 13:1–14This 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.”
- Ezek 12:3–16Therefore, son of man, pack your bags for exile. In broad daylight, set out from your place and go to another as they watch. Perhaps they will understand, though they are a rebellious house.
- Jer 32:31For this city has aroused My wrath and fury from the day it was built until now. Therefore I will remove it from My presence
- Hos 12:10I spoke through the prophets and multiplied their visions; I gave parables through the prophets.
- Hos 3:1–5Then the LORD said to me, “Go show love to your wife again, though she is loved by another and is an adulteress. Love her as the LORD loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and offer raisin cakes to idols.”
- Jer 18:2–12“Go down at once to the potter’s house, and there I will reveal My message to you.”
- 1 Kgs 11:30–31And Ahijah took hold of the new cloak he was wearing, tore it into twelve pieces,
- Ezek 5:1–17“As for you, son of man, take a sharp sword, use it as a barber’s razor, and shave your head and beard. Then take a set of scales and divide the hair.
- 1 Sam 15:27–28As Samuel turned to go, Saul grabbed the hem of his robe, and it tore.
- Amos 3:2“Only you have I known from all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.”
- Jer 27:2–22This is what the LORD said to me: “Make for yourself a yoke out of leather straps and put it on your neck.
- Jer 25:15–38This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, said to me: “Take from My hand this cup of the wine of wrath, and make all the nations to whom I send you drink from it.
- Isa 20:2–4the 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.
- Jer 19:1–15This 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,
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The promise of one Shepherd-King David, a new heart and new Spirit, and the river of life flowing from the temple all stream toward Christ, the good Shepherd who gives the Spirit.
How Ezekiel 4:1 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.