Definition: Then he said unto me, Lo, I have given thee cowâs dung for manâs dung, and thou shalt prepare thy bread therewith.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ezekiel 4:15. It's a really interesting and somewhat surprising passage! Here's the explanation in simpler terms: Essentially, it means: “Then he told me to use the waste product of people’s dung – that’s basically animal manure – as food for people.” Let’s unpack it further: “Ezekiel 4” : This refers to a specific prophet named Ezekiel in the Bible. He was given this task by God. “He said unto me…” : This is a formal way of saying "I tell you..." or "I say to you." “Lo, I have given thee…” : "Lo" means "Yes" or "Here it is." This part emphasizes that this instruction came directly from God. “Cow dung for man’s dung” : This is the core of the verse. Cows produce a lot of manure – solid waste. Ezekiel was being asked to use this manure as food for people. “Thou shalt prepare thy bread therewith.” : This is a command, a rule. "Thou shalt" means “you must.” “Prepare thy bread therewith” means you must make bread using this dung. What’s the significance? This verse is often interpreted as a symbolic representation of God’s plan for Israel's future. It suggests: God’s Perspective: God is actively involved in how people use their resources, even the things we consider waste. A Focus on Service: It highlights that God wants us to be productive and use our abilities (like farming and providing food) for His purpose. Humility & Responsibility: It’s a reminder that we are all part of God's plan, and we have a responsibility to use what we have in a way that benefits humanity. In short, Ezekiel is telling us to find a way to make use of things that others discard – manure from animals – as a source of nourishment. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the context of this passage in more detail? Explore its symbolic meaning?