Eze 4:4-8 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Ezek 4:4-8: 4:4-8 The prophet’s second sign act was related to the first, but this time he was to act the roles of both God and victims of the siege . As a siege victim, he was tied up with ropes (4:8 ) and confined to a single position. Possibly Ezekiel was not confined continually during this 14-month period, but performed this sign on a daily basis. As Ezekiel represented Israel, he was to bear Israel’s sins symbolically by lying on one side, without bringing atonement and forgiveness to Israel. Summary for Ezek 4:4-5: 4:4-5 Israel indicates the whole covenant community, not just the northern kingdom. The number 390 has been interpreted in various ways. A likely explanation is that 390 represents years, perhaps from early in Solomon’s reign (971–931 BC ) to the destruction of Jerusalem (586 BC ; see 2 Kgs 25:3-7 ).

a4:4-8►

b4:8►

c4:4-5►

d2 Kgs 25:3-7►

e4:6►

fNum 14:34►

gEzek 4:5►

hExod 12:40►

i4:7►

‏ Ezekiel 4:4-8

Summary for Ezek 4:4-8: 4:4-8 ^a The prophet’s second sign act was related to the first, but this time he was to act the roles of both God and victims of the siege. As a siege victim, he was tied up with ropes (4:8 ^b) and confined to a single position. Possibly Ezekiel was not confined continually during this 14-month period, but performed this sign on a daily basis. As Ezekiel represented Israel, he was to bear Israel’s sins symbolically by lying on one side, without bringing atonement and forgiveness to Israel.
Summary for Ezek 4:4-5: 4:4-5 ^c Israel indicates the whole covenant community, not just the northern kingdom. The number 390 has been interpreted in various ways. A likely explanation is that 390 represents years, perhaps from early in Solomon’s reign (971–931 BC) to the destruction of Jerusalem (586 BC; see 2 Kgs 25:3-7 ^d).
4:6 ^e Judah was the community of those in exile, whose sojourn outside the land was represented by the symbolic figure of 40 years. They were a lost generation, just like the generation that spent 40 years in the wilderness for their sin (Num 14:34 ^f).

• The 430 days of Ezekiel’s confinement (cp. Ezek 4:5 ^g) parallel the 430 years that Israel spent in Egypt (Exod 12:40 ^h), hinting that there would be a new exodus at the end of the Exile.
4:7 ⁱ Throughout the depiction, Ezekiel continued to represent God. With his arm bared, he stared at the siege of Jerusalem and prophesied her destruction.