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Ezekiel 12:20

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Ezekiel 12:20 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And the cities that are inhabited shall be laid waste, and the land shall be a desolation; and ye shall know that I am Jehovah.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And the cities that are inhabited shall be laid waste, and the land shall be a desolation; and ye shall know that I am Jehovah.
Ezekiel 12:20 — American Standard Version

Context — Ezekiel 12

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
17Moreover the word of Jehovah came to me, saying,
18Son of man, eat thy bread with quaking, and drink thy water with trembling and with fearfulness;
19and say unto the people of the land, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah concerning the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the land of Israel: They shall eat their bread with fearfulness, and drink their water in dismay, that her land may be desolate, [and despoiled] of all that is therein, because of the violence of all them that dwell therein.
20And the cities that are inhabited shall be laid waste, and the land shall be a desolation; and ye shall know that I am Jehovah.
21And the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying,
22Son of man, what is this proverb that ye have in the land of Israel, saying, The days are prolonged, and every vision faileth?
23Tell them therefore, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: I will make this proverb to cease, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel; but say unto them, The days are at hand, and the fulfilment of every vision.
← Ezekiel 12:19Ezekiel 12:21 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the cities that are inhabited shall be laid waste, &c.] Not only the city of Jerusalem, but the other cities of Judea; as they were by the Chaldeans, which were then full of inhabitants: and the land shall be desolate; the whole land of Judea be destitute of men and cattle, and lie uncultivated, and become barren and unfruitful: and ye shall know that I [am] the Lord; who were then captives in Babylon, as well as those who should be dispersed among the nations would; (see <261215>Ezekiel 12:15,16).”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“the cities--left in Judea after the destruction of Jerusalem.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The people of the land - Chaldaea. Of the inhabitants - In respect to “the inhabitants.” Desolate from, all that is therein - i. e., stripped of all its inhabitants and of all its wealth. At one and the same time, Jeremiah was prophesying in Jerusalem, and Ezekiel in Chaldaea; the prophecies of the former were sent to the exiles, and those of Ezekiel to the dwellers at Jerusalem, that the guiding hand of One God in different places might be made clear (Jerome). return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Eze 15:6, Eze 15:8; Isa 3:26, Isa 7:23, Isa 7:24, Isa 24:3, Isa 24:12, Isa 64:10, Isa 64:11; Jer 4:7, Jer 4:23-29; Jer 12:10-12, Jer 16:9, Jer 19:11, Jer 24:8-10, Jer 25:9, Jer 34:22; Lam 5:18; Dan 9:17 Ezekiel 12:22”
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Related study paths

Read Ezekiel 12 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification