Ezekiel 20:47 Meaning and Explanation
“And say to the forest of the south, Hear the word of the LORD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burned therein.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God will kindle an unquenchable fire that will consume all vegetation and all people from south to north.
The Context of Ezekiel 20:47
God's unquenchable fire will consume all people and all things from south to north.
What Does Ezekiel 20:47 Mean?
The fire is a metaphor for God's judgment, yet so comprehensive and intense that it spares nothing—not the green trees (the living, the strong) nor the dry trees (the weak, the vulnerable). The fire is not a symbol but a reality: all will be consumed. 'Every green tree' and 'every dry tree' indicate totality—no one escapes, no status provides refuge.
The expansion 'from the south to the north' indicates the scope of judgment: it is not limited to one region but is all-encompassing. All faces, all people, will experience the burning. The fire is 'flaming flame'—intensified, purposeful—and it 'shall not be quenched,' meaning it will burn until God's purpose is complete and judgment is finished.
Ezekiel 20:47 in the Original Language
esh (אֵשׁ), 'fire' — in prophetic context often represents God's judgment and purification. The fire burns everything indiscriminately because the judgment applies universally.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ezekiel 20:47
What does Ezekiel 20:47 mean?
God will kindle an unquenchable fire that will consume all vegetation and all people from south to north.
What is the context of Ezekiel 20:47?
God's unquenchable fire will consume all people and all things from south to north.