Verse
Take thou also unto thee wheat, and barley, and beans, and lentiles, and millet, and fitches, and put them in one vessel, and make thee bread thereof, according to the number of the days that thou shalt lie upon thy side, three hundred and ninety days shalt thou eat thereof. – Ezekiel 4:9
Meaning of Ezekiel 4:9
The verse Ezekiel 4:9 from the Old Testament describes a detailed dietary instruction given to the prophet Ezekiel by God. The verse ‘Take thou also unto thee wheat, and barley, and beans, and lentiles, and millet, and fitches, and put them in one vessel, and make thee bread thereof, according to the number of the days that thou shalt lie upon thy side, three hundred and ninety days shalt thou eat thereof’ is a clear instruction to Ezekiel to combine various grains and legumes to make bread, which he must eat for a specific period. The food preparation was to represent the duration of the siege of Jerusalem. This symbolic act in Ezekiel 4:9 means as a sign of the hardships and scarcity of food that the people of Jerusalem will endure during the restriction because of their disobedience and sin. Overall, Ezekiel 4:9 is a message of judgment and serves as a warning of the impending suffering that would befall Jerusalem due to its rebellion against God.
Interpretations of Ezekiel 4:9
The verse Ezekiel 4:9 is subject to various interpretations, and its meaning remains ambiguous; however, it serves to reflect different theological perspectives and beliefs. A few interpretations of Ezekiel 4:9 is given below.
Interpretation #1 The verse is a symbolic representation of God’s judgment
According to this interpretation, the reader understands that the verse Ezekiel 4:9 is a powerful symbol of divine judgment on the rebellious people of Jerusalem. The verse, ‘Take thou also unto thee wheat, and barley, and beans, and lentiles, and millet, and fitches, and put them in one vessel, and make thee bread thereof, according to the number of the days that thou shalt lie upon thy side, three hundred and ninety days shalt thou eat thereof’ describes the diverse ingredients used to make the bread. Each ingredient is a symbolic element representing the consequences of God’s anger. Wheat and barley signify the scarcity of food during the siege, illustrating the impending famine. Beans, lentils, and millet symbolize the hardships and suffering that will afflict the people because of their disobedience. Fitches or spelt may represent the bitterness and affliction that will accompany the judgment. Also, the verse explains that God’s judgment is not an isolated event, but a complex and comprehensive ordeal. It serves as a warning to heed His commands, but also invites believers to repent.
Interpretation #2 God is trying to teach a lesson in obedience
As per the readers, the verse Ezekiel 4:9 in this version is considered as a profound lesson for unwavering obedience to God’s commands. Here, the reader believes that the verse, ‘Take thou also unto thee wheat, and barley, and beans, and lentiles, and millet, and fitches, and put them in one vessel, and make thee bread thereof, according to the number of the days that thou shalt lie upon thy side, three hundred and ninety days shalt thou eat thereof’ represents a resolute commitment to fulfilling God’s commands, even when they are unorthodox or confusing. Such obedience was shown through Ezekiel’s willingness to prepare and eat the peculiar bread, highlighting the importance of faithfulness that transcends personal understanding. Through the verse, the believers are encouraged to ponder on their personal lives and aspire to mirror Ezekiel’s unwavering obedience in their spiritual journeys. Ezekiel 4:9 teaches believers to obey God’s will for transformative spiritual growth and a stronger connection with God.
Interpretation #3 God gives importance of nutritional significance of multigrain bread
In this unique version, the readers believe that Ezekiel 4:9 highlights the importance of nutritional significance. The verse, ‘Take thou also unto thee wheat, and barley, and beans, and lentiles, and millet, and fitches, and put them in one vessel, and make thee bread thereof, according to the number of the days that thou shalt lie upon thy side, three hundred and ninety days shalt thou eat thereof’ emphasizes the practical care as per God’s instructions. Here, the reader believes that the diverse blend of grains and legumes is seen as a proof of God’s concern for Ezekiel’s physical health during his prophetic endeavors. Wheat, barley, beans, and lentils all have essential nutrients like carbs, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Millet and fitches add additional nutritional diversity. Hence, Ezekiel 4:9 is also a good reminder of the holistic nature of God’s care for His children, for both their spiritual and physical well-being. The verse also gives the idea that God’s guidance extends beyond the unearthly realm, encompassing practical aspects of life. By nourishing Ezekiel with a balanced diet, God proved His desire for the prophet’s strength and during the famine and challenging time.
Interpretation #4 The verse is likely foreshadowing Jesus Christ
In this interpretation, the reader understands that the verse is a symbolic as well as allegorical representation of Jesus Christ. Hence, Ezekiel 4:9 ‘Take thou also unto thee wheat, and barley, and beans, and lentiles, and millet, and fitches, and put them in one vessel, and make thee bread thereof, according to the number of the days that thou shalt lie upon thy side, three hundred and ninety days shalt thou eat thereof’ is also a profound foreshadowing of the Holy Communion or Sacrament taken by Christian as a symbol of Christ’s body. The reader recognizes parallels between the ingredients mentioned and the sacramental bread and wine. Wheat, barley, beans, lentils, millet, and fitches become emblematic representations of spiritual truths. Wheat signifies the body of Christ, while barley symbolizes His divinity. Beans and lentils can be a symbol of the unity and communion of believers. Millet and fitches represent the richness of God’s grace and the complexity of the Christian journey. The verse advocates deeper faith understanding via the sacrament, connecting the Old and New Testaments.
Historical background of Ezekiel 4:9
The Book of Ezekiel in the Old Testament was written by the prophet Ezekiel. He lived around 593 B.C – 571 B.C. He was also a priest among the Israelites, who was taken into captivity by the Babylonians during the first Babylonian exile in 597 BCE. Ezekiel’s ministry was initiated in Babylon, and his prophetic visions and messages were principally directed towards the exiled Jewish community. Ezekiel’s dramatic performances and symbolic stories make him more famous than Jeremiah in prophecy for communicating God’s messages. Ezekiel wrote 48 chapters of prophecies, visions, and oracles during his time in Babylonian exile. The book is known for its complex imagery and symbolism, and it addresses various themes, including the fall of Jerusalem, the restoration of Israel, and the vision of the divine chariot in Ezekiel 1. Ezekiel Chapter 4 of the Book of Ezekiel contains symbolic actions performed by Ezekiel as commanded by God. It includes Ezekiel 4:9, in which God instructs Ezekiel to make a specific type of bread using a mixture of grains and legumes. This bread represented the siege and suffering of Jerusalem in Ezekiel’s demonstration. Ezekiel 4:9 serves as a symbol of God’s judgment upon Jerusalem. Each ingredient in the bread mixture represents different aspects of the impending judgment, such as famine and hardship. This verse may have spiritual significance, relating to themes of obedience, nourishment, and communion with God.
Literary Devices of Ezekiel 4:9
The verse Ezekiel 4:9 contains several literary devices that contribute to its rich and symbolic language. A few devices are analyzed below.
Symbolism – The entire verse is a good example of symbolism. For example, each ingredient in the bread mixture, including wheat, barley, beans, lentils, millet, and fitches, represents different aspects of God’s judgment and the hardships that the people of Jerusalem would face during the impending siege. This symbolism adds depth to the text and conveys complex messages through simple elements.
Imagery – Ezekiel 4:9 also uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of the prophet Ezekiel’s actions. It describes taking these ingredients, putting them in one vessel, and making bread. This imagery helps readers visualize the symbolic act that God has commanded Ezekiel to perform for specific days.
‘Take thou also unto thee wheat, and barley, and beans, and lentiles, and millet, and fitches, and put them in one vessel, and make thee bread thereof, according to the number of the days that thou shalt lie upon thy side, three hundred and ninety days shalt thou eat thereof’
Alliteration – The verse is a good example of alliteration, as it has consonant sound in repetition and few are in quick succession. For example, the sound of /b/ and the sound of /th/ in ‘Take thou also unto thee wheat, and barley, and beans, and lentiles, and millet, and fitches, and put them in one vessel, and make thee bread thereof, according to the number of the days that thou shalt lie upon thy side, three hundred and ninety days shalt thou eat thereof’.
Consonance – The verse also has a repeated consonant sounds and few are in quick succession. For example, the sound of /n/, the sound of /t/, the sound of /l/, the sound of /s/, the sound of /d/, and the sound of /r/ in ‘Take thou also unto thee wheat, and barley, and beans, and lentiles, and millet, and fitches, and put them in one vessel, and make thee bread thereof, according to the number of the days that thou shalt lie upon thy side, three hundred and ninety days shalt thou eat thereof’.
Assonance – The verse also has a vowel sounds in repetition and few are in quick succession. For example, the sound of /ee/, the sound of /a/, the sound of /i/, and the sound of /e/ in ‘Take thou also unto thee wheat, and barley, and beans, and lentiles, and millet, and fitches, and put them in one vessel, and make thee bread thereof, according to the number of the days that thou shalt lie upon thy side, three hundred and ninety days shalt thou eat thereof’.
Hyperbaton – The verse provides a fine illustration of hyperbaton, an exclusive literary device that rearranges the usual sentence structure for artistic effect or emphasis. In this verse, the word order is somewhat unusual, with the ingredients listed before the action of putting them in one vessel and making bread. Hence, this rearrangement adds emphasis to the ingredients themselves.
Theme – The major themes of Ezekiel 4:9 are preparation, obedience, warning, and nutrition.