son of manבֶּן־אָדָם
ben 'adam · Hebrew Noun phrase
A title frequently used for the prophet Ezekiel, emphasizing his humanity and frailty in contrast to the majesty and holiness of God. It serves to underscore the distance between the Creator and the created being who receives divine revelation.
cityעִיר
'iyr · Hebrew Noun
A Hebrew term for a city, denoting not just a physical location of dwellings but a center of political, social, and spiritual identity. In Scripture, it often represents the collective life and covenantal standing of a people before God.
punishmentעָוֹן
'avon · Hebrew Noun
A term derived from a root meaning to turn or twist, often used to refer to iniquity, perversity, or guilt. It encompasses both the act of wrongdoing and the resulting liability or the divine judgment that must be borne as a consequence.
signאוֹת
'oth · Hebrew Noun
A Hebrew term meaning a token, signal, or wonder. In the prophetic literature, it refers to an object, action, or event that serves as a visible, symbolic representation of a divine message or future reality.
house of Israelבֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל
beyth yisra'el · Hebrew Noun phrase
Refers to the covenant community descended from Jacob. In the prophetic writings, it frequently represents the northern kingdom or the people of God as a whole, often highlighting their historical relationship with God, their rebellion, and their shared responsibility under the covenant.
bearנָשָׂא
nasa' · Hebrew Verb
A word meaning to carry, lift up, or bear. It is used in contexts of judgment or atonement, describing the burden of guilt or the consequences of sin that must be endured or removed.
punishmentעָוֹן
ʿāwōn · Hebrew Noun
A moral or legal consequence imposed by God in response to human disobedience and rebellion against His law. In this context, it signifies the duration of God's judgment upon His people for their sins.
Jerusalemיְרוּשָׁלַיִם
Yĕrūšālayim · Hebrew Noun
The holy city chosen by God as the location for His temple and the center of Israelite worship; it often symbolizes God’s presence among His people or, when fallen, the consequences of breaking the covenant.
prophesyנָבָא
nābāʾ · Hebrew Verb
The public declaration of God's message, will, or impending judgment by an individual divinely commissioned to speak on His behalf. It often serves as a call to repentance or a warning of judgment.
siegeמָצוֹר
māṣōr · Hebrew Noun
The action of a city being surrounded by an enemy army, preventing supplies from entering, and leading to famine and desperation; biblically, it often represents the dire reality of God’s judgment.
shekelsשֶׁקֶל
šeḳel · Hebrew Noun
A unit of weight used in the ancient Near East, here denoting the strict rationing of food, symbolizing the extreme scarcity and hunger associated with divine judgment and the coming destruction.
hinהִין
hin · Hebrew Noun
A Hebrew unit of liquid measurement, roughly equivalent to 1.5 to 2 gallons. Using a small fraction of a hin indicates extreme scarcity, rationing, and impending famine.
barleyשְׂעֹרָה
se'orah · Hebrew Noun
A grain commonly considered inferior to wheat, used by the poor and often associated with the bread of affliction or mourning in biblical contexts.
uncleanטָמֵא
tame' · Hebrew Adjective
In a ritual or covenantal context, this refers to that which is ceremonially impure, forbidden, or unfit for use in the presence of a holy God. It suggests exclusion from the holy community or the tabernacle/temple.
the LORDיהוה
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The covenant name of God, YHWH, revealed to Israel as the self-existent, faithful, and personal God who keeps His promises and acts in history.
Lord GODאֲדֹנָי יהוה
Adonai Yahweh · Hebrew Proper Noun Phrase
Adonai Yahweh; a title expressing both divine sovereignty (Lord) and the covenant relationship (Yahweh). It acknowledges God's authority and lordship over the prophet.
defiledגָּאַל
ga'al · Hebrew Verb
To be made ceremonially or morally impure. In the Old Testament, it often refers to violating the purity laws (Levitical) or defiling oneself through idolatry, sin, or contact with forbidden items.
tainted meatפִּגּוּל
piggul · Hebrew Noun
Often refers to 'abominable' or 'loathsome' food; food that is rotten, putrid, or ritually forbidden (such as meat from an animal that died of itself). It signifies spiritual or physical contamination.
Son of manבֶן־אָדָם
ben ’āḏām · Hebrew Noun phrase
A title frequently used for the prophet Ezekiel, emphasizing his humanity and humility in contrast to the majesty of God. It highlights the vast gulf between the Creator and the created being who receives divine revelation.
breadלֶחֶם
leḥem · Hebrew Noun
The basic sustenance of life, frequently used metaphorically in Scripture to represent God’s provision, spiritual nourishment, and the fellowship of the covenant community. In the context of judgment, its removal signifies the withdrawal of divine blessing and physical famine.
anxietyדְּאָגָה
də’āgâ · Hebrew Noun
A state of mental distress, trembling, or agitation, often resulting from fear of impending judgment or catastrophe. It reflects the internal instability of those who have lost their sense of security in God.
dismayשִׁמָּמוֹן
šimmāmôn · Hebrew Noun
A state of mental and spiritual confusion, astonishment, or horror. It is often used to describe the reaction of those who witness or experience the devastating consequences of divine judgment.
punishmentעָוֹן
‘āwōn · Hebrew Noun
In a theological context, this often refers to the moral failing, guilt, or the penalty incurred by wrongdoing. It signifies the inevitable legal and relational consequences that follow rebellion against God’s covenant laws.
