Zedekiah’s Fate (12:1-20). 

        We are now back in Tel-Abib, and the prophet by two symbolic actions (vers. 3-7, 17f) foreshadows the fate both of the prince, i.e. Zedekiah, and of the people.

        The title “prince” (nasi) is outside Ezekiel only applied to Solomon among kings, and the passage (IKings 11:34) gives the clue to its use here; Solomon had forfeited his right to be king. For Ezekiel, the Judaean kingship had ended with Jehoiachin’s exile. For the use of “prince” in the closing chapters of Ezekiel, see below.

        The symbolic action is in itself deliberately absurd, so as to catch the attention of the people. Ezekiel was to carry out of his house the little bundle of goods a man would take with him into exile (ver. 4, R.V. mg.). Then in the evening he was to take it back into the house, dig through the wall (built as always in Babylonia of sun-dried bricks), bring out his bundle, wrap his face up so that he could not see, and stagger off with his bundle. The application (vers. 10-13) is clear in the light of its fulfilment; Zedekiah’s flight by night (IIKings 25:4), his capture, blinding and leading into exile (IIKings 25:5ff).

        The second symbolic action, in which Ezekiel eats his meals, carefully weighing the quantities and in great fear, is little more than an extension of 4:9-17.