TORAH
NEVI'IM
KETUVIM
Chapter 12
Translation and Transliteration of
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1The word of Hashem came to me:
vai-HI d'-var a-do-NAI e-LAI lay-MOR
אוַיְהִ֥י דְבַר־יְהֹוָ֖ה אֵלַ֥י לֵאמֹֽר׃
2O mortal, you dwell among the rebellious breed. They have eyes to see but see not, ears to hear but hear not; for they are a rebellious breed.
ben-a-DAM b'-TOKH bayt-ha-ME-ree a-TAH yo-SHEV a-SHER a-YI-NA-yim LA-HEM lir-OT v'-LO ra-U o-ZNA-yim LA-HEM lish-MO-a v'-LO sha-ME-u KEE bayt me-REE HEM
בבֶּן־אָדָ֕ם בְּת֥וֹךְ בֵּית־הַמֶּ֖רִי אַתָּ֣ה יֹשֵׁ֑ב אֲשֶׁ֣ר עֵינַ֩יִם֩ לָהֶ֨ם לִרְא֜וֹת וְלֹ֣א רָא֗וּ אׇזְנַ֨יִם לָהֶ֤ם לִשְׁמֹ֙עַ֙ וְלֹ֣א שָׁמֵ֔עוּ כִּ֛י בֵּ֥ית מְרִ֖י הֵֽם׃
3Therefore, mortal, get yourself gear for exile, and go into exile by day before their eyes. Go into exile from your home to another place before their very eyes; perhaps they will take note, even though they are a rebellious breed.
v'-a-TAH ben a-DAM a-SEH l'-KHA k'-LAY go-LAH u-g'-LEH yo-MAM l'-ay-NAY-hem v'-ga-LEET-a mi-m'-ko-m'-KHA el ma-KOM a-KHER l'-ay-NAY-hem u-LAI yir-U KEE bayt m'-REE hay-MAH
גוְאַתָּ֣ה בֶן־אָדָ֗ם עֲשֵׂ֤ה לְךָ֙ כְּלֵ֣י גוֹלָ֔ה וּגְלֵ֥ה יוֹמָ֖ם לְעֵינֵיהֶ֑ם וְגָלִ֨יתָ מִמְּקוֹמְךָ֜ אֶל־מָק֤וֹם אַחֵר֙ לְעֵ֣ינֵיהֶ֔ם אוּלַ֣י יִרְא֔וּ כִּ֛י בֵּ֥ית מְרִ֖י הֵֽמָּה׃
4Carry out your gear as gear for exile by day before their very eyes; and go out again in the evening before their eyes, as one who goes out into exile.
v'-ho-TZE-ta KHE-le-KHA kikh-LEI go-LAH yo-MAM l'-ay-NEI-hem v'-a-TAH tay-TZE ba-e-REV l'-ay-NEI-hem k'-mo-tza-EI go-LAH
דוְהוֹצֵאתָ֨ כֵלֶ֜יךָ כִּכְלֵ֥י גוֹלָ֛ה יוֹמָ֖ם לְעֵינֵיהֶ֑ם וְאַתָּ֗ה תֵּצֵ֤א בָעֶ֙רֶב֙ לְעֵ֣ינֵיהֶ֔ם כְּמוֹצָאֵ֖י גּוֹלָֽה׃
5Before their eyes, break through the wall and carry [the gear] out through it;
l'-ay-NE-hem kha-TOR-l'-KHA va-kiR v'-ho-tze-TA BO
הלְעֵינֵיהֶ֖ם חֲתׇר־לְךָ֣ בַקִּ֑יר וְהוֹצֵאתָ֖ בּֽוֹ׃
6before their eyes, carry it on your shoulder. Take it out in the dark, and cover your face that you may not see the land; for I make you a portent to the House of Yisrael.
l'-ay-NE-hem al-ka-TEF ti-SA ba-a-la-TAH to-TZI pan-E-kha te-ka-SEH v'-lo tir-EH et-ha-A-retz kee-mo-FAYT ne-ta-TEE-kha l'-vayt yis-ra-AYL
ולְעֵ֨ינֵיהֶ֜ם עַל־כָּתֵ֤ף תִּשָּׂא֙ בָּעֲלָטָ֣ה תוֹצִ֔יא פָּנֶ֣יךָ תְכַסֶּ֔ה וְלֹ֥א תִרְאֶ֖ה אֶת־הָאָ֑רֶץ כִּֽי־מוֹפֵ֥ת נְתַתִּ֖יךָ לְבֵ֥ית יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
7I did just as I was ordered: I took out my gear by day as gear for exile, and in the evening I broke through the wall with my own hands. In the darkness I carried [the gear] out on my shoulder, carrying it before their eyes.
va-a-ASH KEN ka-a-SHER tzu-VEE-tee, ke-LAI ho-TZE-tee ki-k'-LAY go-LAH yo-MAM u-va-E-REV cha-TAR-tee-LEE va-KIYR b'-YAD, ba-a-LA-ta ho-TZE-tee al-ka-TEF na-SA-tee l'-EY-ney-HEM. (P)
זוָאַ֣עַשׂ כֵּן֮ כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר צֻוֵּ֒יתִי֒ כֵּ֠לַ֠י הוֹצֵ֜אתִי כִּכְלֵ֤י גוֹלָה֙ יוֹמָ֔ם וּבָעֶ֛רֶב חָתַֽרְתִּי־לִ֥י בַקִּ֖יר בְּיָ֑ד בָּעֲלָטָ֥ה הוֹצֵ֛אתִי עַל־כָּתֵ֥ף נָשָׂ֖אתִי לְעֵינֵיהֶֽם׃
8In the morning, the word of Hashem came to me:
vai-HI d'-var a-do-NAI e-LAI ba-BO-ker lay-MOR
חוַיְהִ֧י דְבַר־יְהֹוָ֛ה אֵלַ֖י בַּבֹּ֥קֶר לֵאמֹֽר׃
9O mortal, did not the House of Yisrael, that rebellious breed, ask you, “What are you doing?”
ben-a-DAM ha-LO a-M'-RU e-LE-kha BAYT yis-ra-AYL BAYT ha-ME-ri, MAH a-TAH o-SEH
טבֶּן־אָדָ֕ם הֲלֹ֨א אָמְר֥וּ אֵלֶ֛יךָ בֵּ֥ית יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בֵּ֣ית הַמֶּ֑רִי מָ֖ה אַתָּ֥ה עֹשֶֽׂה׃
10Say to them: “Thus said Hashem: This pronouncement concerns the prince in Yerushalayim and all the House of Yisrael who are in it.”
e-MOR a-lay-HEM KOH a-MAR a-do-NAI e-lo-HEEM ha-na-SEE ha-ma-SA ha-ZEH bee-ru-sha-LA-im v'-khol BAYT yis-ra-AYL a-sher HAY-mah v'-to-KHAM
יאֱמֹ֣ר אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם כֹּ֥ה אָמַ֖ר אֲדֹנָ֣י יֱהֹוִ֑ה הַנָּשִׂ֞יא הַמַּשָּׂ֤א הַזֶּה֙ בִּיר֣וּשָׁלַ֔͏ִם וְכׇל־בֵּ֥ית יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל אֲשֶׁר־הֵ֥מָּה בְתוֹכָֽם׃
12:10 This pronouncement concerns the prince

Malbim (1809-1879)
In this chapter, Yechezkel acts out the scene of a person carrying the barest provisions, digging a hole under a stone wall. According to the Malbim, these actions reflect the behavior of King Tzidkiyahu. Instead of listening to the prophet Yirmiyahu and submitting to Babylonia, the Babylonian-appointed king of Yehuda attempts to abandon his people by disguising himself and fleeing the siege. However, he is apprehended by the enemy and brought to Babylonia in chains. As hard as it was to surrender, it was the will of God. By refusing to listen and running away, Tzidkiyahu seals his fate. We must follow Hashem’s will even when is not easy, because that path is ultimately best for us.
11Say: “I am a portent for you: As I have done, so shall it be done to them; they shall go into exile, into captivity.
e-MOR a-NEE mo-feit-KHEM ka-a-SHER a-see-TEE KEN ye-a-SEH la-HEM ba-go-LAH ba-she-VEE ye-le-KHU
יאאֱמֹ֖ר אֲנִ֣י מֽוֹפֶתְכֶ֑ם כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשִׂ֗יתִי כֵּ֚ן יֵעָשֶׂ֣ה לָהֶ֔ם בַּגּוֹלָ֥ה בַשְּׁבִ֖י יֵלֵֽכוּ׃
12And the prince among them shall carry his gear on his shoulder as he goes out in the dark. He shall break through the wall in order to carry [his gear] out through it; he shall cover his face, because he himself shall not see the land with his eyes.”
v'-ha-na-SEE a-SHER b'-to-KHAM el-ka-TEF yis-SA ba-a-la-TAH v'-ye-TSE ba-KIR yakh-TE-ru l'-HO-tzee BO, fa-NAV ye-ka-SEH, ya-AN a-SHER lo yir-EH la-A-YIN HU et-ha-A-retz.
יבוְהַנָּשִׂ֨יא אֲשֶׁר־בְּתוֹכָ֜ם אֶל־כָּתֵ֤ף יִשָּׂא֙ בָּעֲלָטָ֣ה וְיֵצֵ֔א בַּקִּ֥יר יַחְתְּר֖וּ לְה֣וֹצִיא ב֑וֹ פָּנָ֣יו יְכַסֶּ֔ה יַ֗עַן אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹֽא־יִרְאֶ֥ה לַעַ֛יִן ה֖וּא אֶת־הָאָֽרֶץ׃
13I will spread My net over him, and he shall be caught in My snare. I will bring him to Babylon, the land of the Chaldeans, but he shall not see it; and there he shall die.
u-fa-RAS-ti et-rish-TI a-LA-yav, v'-nit-PAHS bim-tzu-DA-ti, v'-he-ve-EE-to o-TO va-ve-LAH, e-RETZ kash-DEEM, v'-o-TAH lo yi-RE-e, v'-SHAM ya-MUT.
יגוּפָרַשְׂתִּ֤י אֶת־רִשְׁתִּי֙ עָלָ֔יו וְנִתְפַּ֖שׂ בִּמְצוּדָתִ֑י וְהֵבֵאתִ֨י אֹת֤וֹ בָבֶ֙לָה֙ אֶ֣רֶץ כַּשְׂדִּ֔ים וְאוֹתָ֥הּ לֹֽא־יִרְאֶ֖ה וְשָׁ֥ם יָמֽוּת׃
14And all those around him, his helpers and all his troops, I will scatter in every direction; and I will unsheathe the sword after them.
v'-KOL a-SHER s'-vee-VO-tav e-Z'-ro v'-kol a-ga-PAV e-za-REH l'-kol-ROO-akh v'-khe-REV a-REEK a-cha-RE-hem
ידוְכֹל֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר סְבִֽיבֹתָ֥יו עֶזְרֹ֛ה וְכׇל־אֲגַפָּ֖יו אֱזָרֶ֣ה לְכׇל־ר֑וּחַ וְחֶ֖רֶב אָרִ֥יק אַחֲרֵיהֶֽם׃
15Then, when I have scattered them among the nations and dispersed them through the countries, they shall know that I am Hashem.
v'-ya-d'-U kee a-NEE a-do-NAI ba-ha-fee-TZEE o-TAM ba-go-YIM v'-ze-ree-TEE o-TAM ba-a-ra-TZOT
טווְיָדְע֖וּ כִּֽי־אֲנִ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה בַּהֲפִיצִ֤י אוֹתָם֙ בַּגּוֹיִ֔ם וְזֵרִיתִ֥י אוֹתָ֖ם בָּאֲרָצֽוֹת׃
16But I will spare a few of them from the sword, from famine, and from pestilence, that they may recount all their abominable deeds among the nations to which they come; and they shall know that I am Hashem!
v'-ho-tar-TEE may-HEM an-SHAY mis-PAHR may-khe-REV may-ra-AV u-mi-DA-ver l'-ma-an y'-sa-PE-ru et-KOL to-a-vo-TE-hem ba-go-YIM a-SHER ba-U sham v'-ya-d'-U kee a-NEE a-do-NAI
טזוְהוֹתַרְתִּ֤י מֵהֶם֙ אַנְשֵׁ֣י מִסְפָּ֔ר מֵחֶ֖רֶב מֵרָעָ֣ב וּמִדָּ֑בֶר לְמַ֨עַן יְסַפְּר֜וּ אֶת־כׇּל־תּוֹעֲבֽוֹתֵיהֶ֗ם בַּגּוֹיִם֙ אֲשֶׁר־בָּ֣אוּ שָׁ֔ם וְיָדְע֖וּ כִּי־אֲנִ֥י יְהֹוָֽה׃
17The word of Hashem came to me:
vai-HI d'-var a-do-NAI e-LAI lay-MOR
יזוַיְהִ֥י דְבַר־יְהֹוָ֖ה אֵלַ֥י לֵאמֹֽר׃
18O mortal, eat your bread in trembling and drink your water in fear and anxiety.
ben-a-DAM lakh-ME-kha b'-RA-aSH to-KHEL u-MEY-mekha b'-ro-GE-za u-vid-a-GA ti-SHE-te
יחבֶּן־אָדָ֕ם לַחְמְךָ֖ בְּרַ֣עַשׁ תֹּאכֵ֑ל וּמֵימֶ֕יךָ בְּרׇגְזָ֥ה וּבִדְאָגָ֖ה תִּשְׁתֶּֽה׃
19And say to the people of the land: Thus said Hashem concerning the inhabitants of Yerushalayim in the land of Yisrael: They shall eat their bread in anxiety and drink their water in desolation, because their land will be desolate of its multitudes on account of the lawlessness of all its inhabitants.
v'-a-MAR-ta el-am ha-A-retz ko-a-MAR a-do-NAI ye-HO-vi l'-yo-sh'-VAY ye-ru-sha-LA-im el ad-MAT yis-ra-AYL lach-MAHM bi-da-GAH yo-KHE-lu u-may-MAY-hem b'-shi-MA-mon yi-sht'-U l'-ma-an tay-SHAM ar-TZAH mi-m'-LO-ah me-cha-MAS kol-ha-yo-sh'-VEEM BAH
יטוְאָמַרְתָּ֣ אֶל־עַ֣ם הָאָ֡רֶץ כֹּֽה־אָמַר֩ אֲדֹנָ֨י יֱהֹוִ֜ה לְיוֹשְׁבֵ֤י יְרוּשָׁלַ֙͏ִם֙ אֶל־אַדְמַ֣ת יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל לַחְמָם֙ בִּדְאָגָ֣ה יֹאכֵ֔לוּ וּמֵימֵיהֶ֖ם בְּשִׁמָּמ֣וֹן יִשְׁתּ֑וּ לְמַ֜עַן תֵּשַׁ֤ם אַרְצָהּ֙ מִמְּלֹאָ֔הּ מֵחֲמַ֖ס כׇּֽל־הַיֹּשְׁבִ֥ים בָּֽהּ׃
20The inhabited towns shall be laid waste and the land shall become a desolation; then you shall know that I am Hashem.
v'-he-a-REEM ha-no-sha-VOT te-khe-RAV-nah v'-ha-A-retz she-ma-MAH tih-YEH vi-da-TEM kee a-NEE a-do-NAI.
כוְהֶעָרִ֤ים הַנּֽוֹשָׁבוֹת֙ תֶּחֱרַ֔בְנָה וְהָאָ֖רֶץ שְׁמָמָ֣ה תִֽהְיֶ֑ה וִידַעְתֶּ֖ם כִּֽי־אֲנִ֥י יְהֹוָֽה׃
21The word of Hashem came to me:
vai-HI d'-var a-do-NAI e-LAI lay-MOR
כאוַיְהִ֥י דְבַר־יְהֹוָ֖ה אֵלַ֥י לֵאמֹֽר׃
22O mortal, what is this proverb that you have in the land of Yisrael, that you say, “The days grow many and every vision comes to naught?”
ben-a-DAM ma-HA-ma-SHAL ha-ZEH la-KHEM al-ad-MAT yis-ra-AYL lay-MOR ya-a-R'-Khu ha-ya-MEEM v'-a-VAD kol-kha-ZON
כבבֶּן־אָדָ֗ם מָֽה־הַמָּשָׁ֤ל הַזֶּה֙ לָכֶ֔ם עַל־אַדְמַ֥ת יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לֵאמֹ֑ר יַֽאַרְכוּ֙ הַיָּמִ֔ים וְאָבַ֖ד כׇּל־חָזֽוֹן׃
23Assuredly, say to them, Thus said Hashem: I will put an end to this proverb; it shall not be used in Yisrael any more. Speak rather to them: The days draw near, and the fulfillment of every vision.
la-KHEN e-MOR a-LE-hem KOH-a-MAR a-do-NAI ye-HO-vih, his-ba-TEE et ha-ma-SHAL ha-ZEH ve-lo yim-sh'-LU o-TO od b'-yis-ra-AYL, KEE im-da-BAYR a-LE-hem ka-RO-vu ha-ya-MEEM u-da-VAR kol-kha-ZON.
כגלָכֵ֞ן אֱמֹ֣ר אֲלֵיהֶ֗ם כֹּה־אָמַר֮ אֲדֹנָ֣י יֱהֹוִה֒ הִשְׁבַּ֙תִּי֙ אֶת־הַמָּשָׁ֣ל הַזֶּ֔ה וְלֹֽא־יִמְשְׁל֥וּ אֹת֛וֹ ע֖וֹד בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל כִּ֚י אִם־דַּבֵּ֣ר אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם קָֽרְבוּ֙ הַיָּמִ֔ים וּדְבַ֖ר כׇּל־חָזֽוֹן׃
24For there shall no longer be any false vision or soothing divination in the House of Yisrael.
ki LO yi-HE-yeh od kol-kha-ZON sha-VE u-mik-SAM kha-LAK b'-TOKH bayt yis-ra-AYL
כדכִּ֠י לֹ֣א יִהְיֶ֥ה ע֛וֹד כׇּל־חֲז֥וֹן שָׁ֖וְא וּמִקְסַ֣ם חָלָ֑ק בְּת֖וֹךְ בֵּ֥ית יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
25But whenever I Hashem speak what I speak, that word shall be fulfilled without any delay; in your days, O rebellious breed, I will fulfill every word I speak—declares Hashem.
KI a-NEE a-do-NAI a-da-BAYR ET a-SHER a-da-BAYR DA-var v'-ye-a-SEH LO ti-ma-SHEKH OD KI vi-MAY-khem BAYT ha-ME-ree a-da-BAYR DA-var va-a-see-TEE-vu NE-um a-do-NAI ye-HO-va. (Pe)
כהכִּ֣י ׀ אֲנִ֣י יְהֹוָ֗ה אֲדַבֵּר֙ אֵת֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר אֲדַבֵּ֤ר דָּבָר֙ וְיֵ֣עָשֶׂ֔ה לֹ֥א תִמָּשֵׁ֖ךְ ע֑וֹד כִּ֣י בִימֵיכֶ֞ם בֵּ֣ית הַמֶּ֗רִי אֲדַבֵּ֤ר דָּבָר֙ וַעֲשִׂיתִ֔יו נְאֻ֖ם אֲדֹנָ֥י יֱהֹוִֽה׃
26The word of Hashem came to me:
vai-HI d'-var a-do-NAI e-LAI lay-MOR
כווַיְהִ֥י דְבַר־יְהֹוָ֖ה אֵלַ֥י לֵאמֹֽר׃
27See, O mortal, the House of Yisrael says, “The vision that he sees is far ahead, and he prophesies for the distant future.”
ben-a-DAM hi-NEH veit-yis-ra-AYL o-M'-REEM he-KHA-zon a-SHER-hu kho-ZEH l'-ya-MEEM ra-BEEM u-l'-i-TIM r'-KHO-khot hu ni-BA
כזבֶּן־אָדָ֗ם הִנֵּ֤ה בֵֽית־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ אֹֽמְרִ֔ים הֶחָז֛וֹן אֲשֶׁר־ה֥וּא חֹזֶ֖ה לְיָמִ֣ים רַבִּ֑ים וּלְעִתִּ֥ים רְחוֹק֖וֹת ה֥וּא נִבָּֽא׃
28Assuredly, say to them: Thus said Hashem: There shall be no more delay; whenever I speak a word, that word shall be fulfilled—declares Hashem.
la-KHEN e-MOR a-LE-hem KOH a-MAR a-do-NAI ye-HO-vi LO ti-ma-SHEKH OD kol d'-va-RAI a-SHER a-da-BER da-VAR v'-ye-a-SEH n'-UM a-do-NAI ye-HO-vi.
כחלָכֵ֞ן אֱמֹ֣ר אֲלֵיהֶ֗ם כֹּ֤ה אָמַר֙ אֲדֹנָ֣י יֱהֹוִ֔ה לֹא־תִמָּשֵׁ֥ךְ ע֖וֹד כׇּל־דְּבָרָ֑י אֲשֶׁ֨ר אֲדַבֵּ֤ר דָּבָר֙ וְיֵ֣עָשֶׂ֔ה נְאֻ֖ם אֲדֹנָ֥י יֱהֹוִֽה׃