John Gill Commentary Ezekiel 12:3

"Therefore, thou son of man, prepare thee stuff for removing, and remove by day in their sight; and thou shalt remove from thy place to another place in their sight: it may be they will consider, though they are a rebellious house." — Ezekiel 12:3 (ASV)

Therefore, you son of man, prepare your stuff for removing ^F19, &c.] Or, "vessels of captivity", such as persons take along with them when they go a journey, or into a far country; such as a staff, scrip, purse, shoes or household goods; such as tables, chairs, and the like, which are removed when a person goes from one house to another; by which sign they of the captivity were to be taught that Zedekiah and the people of the Jews should in like manner be carried captive into Babylon; which they were not willing to believe, and the false prophets had told them the contrary: and remove by day in their sight; be carrying the stuff out, day by day, several days running, as Jarchi from Menachem interprets it; that they may see and take notice of it, and ask the reason of it; which, when known, they might send to their correspondents at Jerusalem, and acquaint them with it: and you shall remove from your place to another place in their sight; from the house in which he dwelt, to another house at some distance; yet so as to be seen by them, both from where and to where he moved.

it may be they will consider; ^F20 or "see"; make use of their eyes, and of their understandings, and think better of things. The Targum is,

``perhaps they will fear;'' the Lord, and regard his prophets, and be afraid of his judgments: though they are a rebellious house; such who are the most obstinate may be reclaimed.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F19: (hlwg ylk) "vasa transmigrationis", Pagninus, Montanus, Starckius; "instrumenta migrationis", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Polanus.
• F20: (wary ylwa) "fortasse visuri sunt", Junius & Tremellius, Polanus; "fortasse videbunt", Piscator, Starckius.