Dig thou through the wall in their sight, and carry out thereby.

EZEKIEL 12:5KJV
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Ezekiel 12:5 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 12:5 mean?

Ezekiel 12:5 describes God telling the prophet Ezekiel to dig through a wall in front of the people and carry his belongings out that way. This act is a sign to the people of Israel, showing them what will happen to those living in Jerusalem—they will go into exile.

In this scene, God is speaking directly to Ezekiel, instructing him to act out a message for the exiled Israelites watching him in Babylon. The digging through the wall is a dramatic action meant to get their attention and make them realize that Jerusalem’s inhabitants will soon be forced to escape their city in secret, carrying only what they can.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 12:5

  • "Dig" (חָתַר, chatar, H2864) means to dig or break through. Here, it emphasizes the effort and secrecy involved, as if someone is trying to escape or flee.
  • "Wall" (קִיר, qir, H7023) refers to a solid wall, likely the outer wall of a house. This detail shows Ezekiel is not just leaving by a door, but making an unusual and desperate exit.
  • "Sight" (עַיִן, ayin, H5869) means "eye" or "sight." God wants Ezekiel to do this where everyone can see, making the message public and unmistakable.
  • "Out" (יָצָא, yatsa, H3318) means to go out or bring out. Ezekiel is to carry his belongings out through the hole, acting out the coming exile.

Why Ezekiel 12:5 matters

  • Ezekiel’s action is not just a private vision but a public sign, meant to be seen and understood by the exiles in Babylon as a warning about Jerusalem’s fate.
  • The use of digging through a wall rather than using a door highlights the desperation and urgency of those who will flee Jerusalem, showing that their escape will not be orderly or dignified.
  • This verse connects to the wider passage where Ezekiel acts out several signs to communicate God’s message, making the coming judgment real and memorable for his audience.

Where else these words appear

“Dig” Hebrew H2864 · used in 7 verses

  • Job 24:16 In the dark they dig through houses, which they had marked for themselves in the daytime: they know not the light.
  • Ezekiel 12:7 And 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.
  • Amos 9:2 Though they dig into hell, thence shall mine hand take them; though they climb up to heaven, thence will I bring them down:

“wall” Hebrew H7023 · used in 64 verses

  • Exodus 30:3 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, the top thereof, and the sides thereof round about, and the horns thereof; and thou shalt make unto it a crown of gold round about.
  • 1 Kings 6:29 And he carved all the walls of the house round about with carved figures of cherubims and palm trees and open flowers, within and without.
  • Ezekiel 8:8 Then said he unto me, Son of man, dig now in the wall: and when I had digged in the wall, behold a door.