Ezekiel 4:5 Meaning and Explanation
“For I have laid upon thee the years of their iniquity, according to the number of the days, three hundred and ninety days: so shalt thou bear the iniquity of the house of Israel.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Ezekiel will lie on his left side for 390 days, each day representing one year of Israel's iniquity.
The Context of Ezekiel 4:5
The specific duration links the prophecy to Israel's actual history of rebellion.
What Does Ezekiel 4:5 Mean?
The 390 days represent 390 years—a specific historical accounting of Israel's accumulated sin and rebellion. This number reflects the actual duration from Israel's northern kingdom's entrance into apostasy to the time of exile, grounding the prophecy in real chronology.
The formula 'one day for each year' transforms Ezekiel's temporary sacrifice into a cosmic accounting. His bodily endurance symbolizes the nation's long history of transgression now meeting its reckoning through exile and captivity.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ezekiel 4:5
What does Ezekiel 4:5 mean?
Ezekiel will lie on his left side for 390 days, each day representing one year of Israel's iniquity.
What is the context of Ezekiel 4:5?
The specific duration links the prophecy to Israel's actual history of rebellion.