Ezekiel 20:47
New International Version
Say to the southern forest: ‘Hear the word of the LORD. This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am about to set fire to you, and it will consume all your trees, both green and dry. The blazing flame will not be quenched, and every face from south to north will be scorched by it.

New Living Translation
Tell the southern wilderness, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Hear the word of the LORD! I will set you on fire, and every tree, both green and dry, will be burned. The terrible flames will not be quenched and will scorch everything from south to north.

English Standard Version
Say to the forest of the Negeb, Hear the word of the LORD: Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I will kindle a fire in you, and it shall devour every green tree in you and every dry tree. The blazing flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from south to north shall be scorched by it.

Berean Standard Bible
Say to the forest of the Negev: Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Lord GOD says: I am about to ignite in you a fire, and it will devour all your trees, both green and dry. The blazing flame will not be quenched, and by it every face from south to north will be scorched.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
and say to the forest of the South, ‘Hear the word of the LORD! Thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, I will kindle a fire in you, and it shall devour every green tree and every dry tree in you; the blazing flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be scorched by it.

New American Standard Bible
and say to the forest of the Negev, ‘Hear the word of the LORD: this is what the Lord GOD says: “Behold, I am going to kindle a fire in you, and it will consume every green tree in you, as well as every dry tree; the blazing flame will not go out and the entire surface from south to north will be scorched by it.

NASB 1995
and say to the forest of the Negev, ‘Hear the word of the LORD: thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I am about to kindle a fire in you, and it will consume every green tree in you, as well as every dry tree; the blazing flame will not be quenched and the whole surface from south to north will be burned by it.

NASB 1977
and say to the forest of the Negev, ‘Hear the word of the LORD: thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I am about to kindle a fire in you, and it shall consume every green tree in you, as well as every dry tree; the blazing flame will not be quenched, and the whole surface from south to north will be burned by it.

Legacy Standard Bible
and say to the forest of the Negev, ‘Hear the word of Yahweh: thus says Lord Yahweh, “Behold, I am about to kindle a fire in you, and it will consume every green tree in you, as well as every dry tree; the blazing flame will not be quenched, and the whole surface from south to north will be scorched by it.

Amplified Bible
and say to the forest of the Negev, ‘Hear the word of the LORD: thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I am about to kindle a fire in you, and it will devour every one of your green trees, as well as every one of your dry trees. The blazing flame will not be quenched and the whole surface from the south to the north will be burned by it.

Christian Standard Bible
and say to the forest there, ‘Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Lord GOD says: I am about to ignite a fire in you, and it will devour every green tree and every dry tree in you. The blazing flame will not be extinguished, and every face from the south to the north will be scorched by it.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
and say to the forest there: Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Lord GOD says: I am about to ignite a fire in you, and it will devour every green tree and every dry tree in you. The blazing flame will not be extinguished, and every face from the south to the north will be scorched by it.

American Standard Version
and say to the forest of the South, Hear the word of Jehovah: Thus saith the Lord Jehovah, 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 burnt thereby.

Contemporary English Version
that I, the LORD God, will start a fire that will burn up every tree, whether green or dry. Nothing will be able to put out the blaze of that fire as it spreads to the north and burns everything in its path.

English Revised Version
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 burnt thereby.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Tell the forest in the Negev, 'Listen to the word of the LORD. This is what the Almighty LORD says: I am about to set fire to you to destroy all your green trees and all your dry trees. The blazing fire will not be put out. It will burn the whole land from the south to the north.

Good News Translation
Tell the southern forest to hear what the Sovereign LORD is saying: Look! I am starting a fire, and it will burn up every tree in you, whether green or dry. Nothing will be able to put it out. It will spread from south to north, and everyone will feel the heat of the flames.

International Standard Version
Prophesy against the forest of the Negev, 'Listen to this message from the LORD. This is what the Lord GOD says: "Look out! I'm about to ignite a fire and set it against you. It will devour every tree—whether green or dry—that lives in you. This powerful flame will not be extinguishable, and the entire surface from south to north will be scorched by it.

Majority Standard Bible
Say to the forest of the Negev: Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Lord GOD says: I am about to ignite in you a fire, and it will devour all your trees, both green and dry. The blazing flame will not be quenched, and by it every face from south to north will be scorched.

NET Bible
and say to the scrub land of the Negev, 'Hear the word of the LORD: This is what the sovereign LORD says: Look here, I am about to start a fire in you, and it will devour every green tree and every dry tree in you. The flaming fire will not be extinguished, and the whole surface of the ground from the Negev to the north will be scorched by it.

New Heart English Bible
and tell the forest of the South, 'Hear the word of the LORD: Thus says the Lord GOD, "Look, I will kindle a fire in you, and it shall devour every green tree in you, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burnt thereby.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
Tell the forest of the south, ‘Hear Yahweh’s word: The Lord Yahweh says, “Behold, I will kindle a fire in you, and it will devour every green tree in you, and every dry tree. The burning flame will not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north will be burned by it.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and you have said to the forest of the south, Hear a word of YHWH! Thus said Lord YHWH: Behold, I am kindling a fire in you, "" And it has devoured every moist tree in you, and every dry tree, "" The glowing flames are not quenched, "" And all faces from south to north have been burned by it.

Young's Literal Translation
and thou hast said to the forest of the south: Hear a word of Jehovah: Thus said the Lord Jehovah: Lo, I am kindling in thee a fire, And it hath devoured in thee every moist tree, and every dry tree, Not quenched is the glowing flames, And burnt by it have been all faces from south to north.

Smith's Literal Translation
And say to the forest of the south, Hear thou the word of Jehovah; thus said the Lord Jehovah: Behold me kindling a fire in thee, and it consumed in thee every green tree and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north were burned in it.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And any to the south forest: Hear the word of the Lord: Thus saith the Lord God: Behold I will kindle a fire in thee, and will burn in thee every green tree, and every dry tree: the dame of the fire shall not be quenched: and every face shall be burned in it, from the south even to the north.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And you shall say to the meridian forest: Listen to the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will kindle a fire in you, and I will burn up within you every green tree and every dry tree. The flame of the kindling will not be extinguished. And every face will be burned up within it, from the south, even to the north.

New American Bible
Say to the forest in the south: Hear the word of the LORD! Thus says the Lord GOD: See! I am kindling a fire in you that shall devour every green tree as well as every dry tree. The blazing flame shall not be quenched so that from south to north every face shall be scorched by it.

New Revised Standard Version
say to the forest of the Negeb, Hear the word of the LORD: Thus says the Lord GOD, I will kindle a fire in you, and it shall devour every green tree in you and every dry tree; the blazing flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from south to north shall be scorched by it.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And say to the forest which is in the south, Hear the word of the LORD; Thus says the LORD God: Behold, I will kindle a fire in you, and it shall devour every green tree in you and every dry tree; the flaming fire shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burned in it.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And say to the forest that is in the south: “Hear the word of LORD JEHOVAH: thus says THE LORD OF LORDS, behold, I have kindled a fire in you and it shall devour all your trees, green and dry, and you shall not put out the flames that are broken out, and every face shall burn in it, from the south and unto the north
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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, it shall not be quenched, even a flaming flame; and all faces from the south to the north shall be seared thereby.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and thou shalt say to the forest of Nageb, Hear the word of the Lord; thus saith the Lord, even the Lord; Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour in thee every green tree, and every dry tree: the flame that is kindled shall not be quenched, and every face shall be scorched with it from the south to the north.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Prophecy Against the South
46“Son of man, set your face toward the south, preach against it, and prophesy against the forest of the Negev. 47Say to the forest of the Negev: Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Lord GOD says: I am about to ignite in you a fire, and it will devour all your trees, both green and dry. The blazing flame will not be quenched, and by it every face from south to north will be scorched. 48Then all people will see that I, the LORD, have kindled it; it will not be quenched.”…

Cross References
Isaiah 10:17-19
And the Light of Israel will become a fire, and its Holy One a flame. In a single day it will burn and devour Assyria’s thorns and thistles. / The splendor of its forests and orchards, both soul and body, it will completely destroy, as a sickness consumes a man. / The remaining trees of its forests will be so few that a child could count them.

Jeremiah 21:14
I will punish you as your deeds deserve, declares the LORD. I will kindle a fire in your forest that will consume everything around you.’”

Isaiah 9:18-19
For wickedness burns like a fire that consumes the thorns and briers and kindles the forest thickets, which roll upward in billows of smoke. / By the wrath of the LORD of Hosts the land is scorched, and the people are fuel for the fire. No man even spares his brother.

Jeremiah 5:14
Therefore this is what the LORD God of Hosts says: “Because you have spoken this word, I will make My words a fire in your mouth and this people the wood it consumes.

Isaiah 33:12
The peoples will be burned to ashes, like thorns cut down and set ablaze.

Jeremiah 11:16
The LORD once called you a flourishing olive tree, beautiful with well-formed fruit. But with a mighty roar He will set it on fire, and its branches will be consumed.

Isaiah 66:15-16
For behold, the LORD will come with fire—His chariots are like a whirlwind—to execute His anger with fury and His rebuke with flames of fire. / For by fire and by His sword, the LORD will execute judgment on all flesh, and many will be slain by the LORD.

Jeremiah 7:20
Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, My anger and My fury will be poured out on this place, on man and beast, on the trees of the field and the produce of the land, and it will burn and not be extinguished.

Isaiah 30:27-30
Behold, the Name of the LORD comes from afar, with burning anger and dense smoke. His lips are full of fury, and His tongue is like a consuming fire. / His breath is like a rushing torrent that rises to the neck. He comes to sift the nations in a sieve of destruction; He bridles the jaws of the peoples to lead them astray. / You will sing as on the night of a holy festival, and your heart will rejoice like one who walks to the music of a flute, going up to the mountain of the LORD, to the Rock of Israel. ...

Jeremiah 17:27
But if you do not listen to Me to keep the Sabbath day holy by not carrying a load while entering the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, then I will kindle an unquenchable fire in its gates to consume the citadels of Jerusalem.’”

Matthew 3:10-12
The axe lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. / I baptize you with water for repentance, but after me will come One more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. / His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

Luke 3:9
The axe lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

Revelation 8:7
Then the first angel sounded his trumpet, and hail and fire mixed with blood were hurled down upon the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, along with a third of the trees and all the green grass.

Revelation 9:4
They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads.

Matthew 7:19
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.


Treasury of Scripture

And say to the forest of the south, Hear the word of the LORD; Thus said the Lord GOD; Behold, I will kindle a fire in you, and it shall devour every green tree in you, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burned therein.

I will kindle.

Ezekiel 15:6,7
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; As the vine tree among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so will I give the inhabitants of Jerusalem…

Ezekiel 19:14
And fire is gone out of a rod of her branches, which hath devoured her fruit, so that she hath no strong rod to be a sceptre to rule. This is a lamentation, and shall be for a lamentation.

Ezekiel 22:20,21
As they gather silver, and brass, and iron, and lead, and tin, into the midst of the furnace, to blow the fire upon it, to melt it; so will I gather you in mine anger and in my fury, and I will leave you there, and melt you…

green

Ezekiel 17:24
And all the trees of the field shall know that I the LORD have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish: I the LORD have spoken and have done it.

Luke 23:31
For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?

the flaming

Isaiah 66:24
And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.

Mark 9:43-49
And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: …

from the south

Ezekiel 21:3,4
And say to the land of Israel, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I am against thee, and will draw forth my sword out of his sheath, and will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked…

Isaiah 24:1-6
Behold, the LORD maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof…

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Ezekiel 20
1. God refuses to be consulted by the elders of Israel
4. He shows the story of their rebellions in Egypt
19. in the desert
27. and in the land
33. He promises to gather them by the Gospel
45. Under the name of a forest he shows the destruction of Jerusalem














Say to the forest of the Negev
The "forest of the Negev" is a metaphorical expression. The Negev is a desert region in southern Israel, known for its arid conditions. In this context, the "forest" symbolizes the people of Judah, who are spiritually dry and barren. The Hebrew word for "forest" (יַעַר, ya'ar) often represents a dense population or a multitude. This phrase sets the stage for a prophetic message directed at the people, emphasizing their spiritual desolation and the impending judgment.

Hear the word of the LORD
This phrase is a call to attention, urging the people to listen to God's message. The Hebrew word for "hear" (שָׁמַע, shama) implies not just listening but also obeying. It is a reminder of the covenant relationship between God and His people, where hearing is linked to obedience. The "word of the LORD" signifies divine authority and truth, underscoring the seriousness of the message that follows.

This is what the Lord GOD says
The repetition of "Lord GOD" (אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה, Adonai Yahweh) emphasizes God's sovereignty and authority. It is a declaration that the message is not from Ezekiel himself but from God. This phrase is often used in prophetic literature to assert the divine origin of the prophecy, reinforcing the certainty and inevitability of God's words.

I am about to kindle a fire in you
The imagery of fire is a common biblical symbol for judgment and purification. The Hebrew word for "kindle" (בָּעַר, ba'ar) means to ignite or set ablaze. This signifies God's impending judgment on Judah, intended to purify and refine. Fire, in this context, represents both destruction and the potential for renewal, as it clears away the old to make way for the new.

and it will consume every green tree and every dry tree
The "green tree" and "dry tree" symbolize the righteous and the wicked, respectively. This imagery suggests that the coming judgment will be comprehensive, affecting all people regardless of their spiritual state. The Hebrew word for "consume" (אָכַל, akal) implies total destruction. This serves as a warning that no one will be exempt from God's judgment, highlighting the seriousness of their spiritual condition.

The blazing flame will not be extinguished
This phrase underscores the intensity and inevitability of God's judgment. The Hebrew word for "blazing" (לַהֶבֶת, lahevet) conveys a sense of fierce, unquenchable fire. The idea that it "will not be extinguished" emphasizes the certainty and thoroughness of the divine judgment. It serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of persistent disobedience and rebellion against God.

and every face from south to north will be scorched by it
This expression indicates the widespread impact of the judgment, affecting all people from "south to north," which encompasses the entire land of Judah. The Hebrew word for "scorched" (צָרַב, tsarav) implies being burned or seared. This imagery conveys the totality of God's judgment, leaving no one untouched. It serves as a call to repentance, urging the people to turn back to God before it is too late.

(47) Every green tree in thee, and every dry tree--i.e., persons of every condition, the condition here having reference probably to their moral state; the approaching desolation should be so complete, that, like other national judgments, it should sweep away all alike. No distinction could be made in favour of those who might be less ripe in evil. Our Lord may have had this expression in mind in Luke 23:31. At the close of the verse, by introducing the words "all faces," the prophet, as he so often does, breaks away from the figure to its interpretation, and shows plainly the meaning of the former.

Verse 47. - All faces from the south to the north, etc. The phrase seems, at first, to pass from the figure to the reality. Possibly, however, face may stand for "the outward appearance," the leaves and branches, of the trees. "From the south (Negeb) to the north" takes the place of the older "from Dan to Beersheba" (Judges 20:1; 1 Samuel 3:20). Of that "fire" of judgment, it is said, as in our Lord's use of a like imagery, that it shall not be quenched (Mark 9:43). It shall do its dread work till that work is accomplished.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Say
וְאָֽמַרְתָּ֙ (wə·’ā·mar·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to the forest
לְיַ֣עַר (lə·ya·‘ar)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3293: A copse of bushes, a forest, honey in the comb

of the Negev:
הַנֶּ֔גֶב (han·ne·ḡeḇ)
Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5045: South country, the Negeb, south

Hear
שְׁמַ֖ע (šə·ma‘)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

the word
דְּבַר־ (də·ḇar-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

of the LORD!
יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

This is what
כֹּֽה־ (kōh-)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

the Lord
אֲדֹנָ֣י (’ă·ḏō·nāy)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 136: The Lord

GOD
יְהוִ֡ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069: YHWH

says:
אָמַ֣ר (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘I am about to ignite
מַֽצִּית־ (maṣ·ṣîṯ-)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3341: To burn, set on fire, to desolate

in you
בְּךָ֣ ׀ (bə·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

a fire,
אֵ֡שׁ (’êš)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 784: A fire

and it will devour
וְאָכְלָ֣ה (wə·’ā·ḵə·lāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 398: To eat

all
כָל־ (ḵāl)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

your
בְךָ֣ (ḇə·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

trees,
עֵֽץ־ (‘êṣ-)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6086: Tree, trees, wood

both green
לַח֩ (laḥ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 3892: Fresh, unused, undried

[and]
וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

dry.
יָבֵ֤שׁ (yā·ḇêš)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 3002: Dry, dried

The blazing
שַׁלְהֶ֔בֶת (šal·he·ḇeṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7957: A flare of fire

flame
לַהֶ֣בֶת (la·he·ḇeṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3852: A flash, a sharply polished blade, point of a, weapon

will not
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

be quenched,
תִכְבֶּה֙ (ṯiḵ·beh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3518: To be quenched or extinguished, to go out

and by it
בָ֥הּ (ḇāh)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's Hebrew

every
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

face
פָּנִ֖ים (pā·nîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6440: The face

from south
מִנֶּ֥גֶב (min·ne·ḡeḇ)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5045: South country, the Negeb, south

to north
צָפֽוֹנָה׃ (ṣā·p̄ō·w·nāh)
Noun - feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 6828: Hidden, dark, the north as a, quarter

will be scorched.
וְנִצְרְבוּ־ (wə·niṣ·rə·ḇū-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 6866: To burn, scorch


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 20:47 And tell the forest of the South (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 20:46
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