Ezekiel 12:1 kjv
The word of the LORD also came unto me, saying,
Ezekiel 12:1 nkjv
Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying:
Ezekiel 12:1 niv
The word of the LORD came to me:
Ezekiel 12:1 esv
The word of the LORD came to me:
Ezekiel 12:1 nlt
Again a message came to me from the LORD:
Ezekiel 12 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Divine Word to Prophets (Old Testament) | ||
| Jer 1:2 | The word of the LORD came to him in the thirteenth year of his reign... | God's word comes to Jeremiah. |
| Hos 1:1 | The word of the LORD that came to Hosea the son of Beeri... | God's word comes to Hosea. |
| Jon 1:1 | Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai... | God's word comes to Jonah for a mission. |
| Hag 1:1 | In the second year of Darius the king... the word of the LORD came... | God's word comes through Haggai. |
| Zech 1:1 | In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah... | God's word comes to Zechariah. |
| Ezra 7:10 | For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD... | Devotion to God's word for instruction. |
| 1 Sam 3:21 | And the LORD appeared again at Shiloh, for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the LORD. | God revealing Himself through His word. |
| 1 Ki 17:2 | And the word of the LORD came to him: | God's word directs Elijah. |
| Num 12:6 | “Hear my words: If there is a prophet among you, I the LORD make myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream." | God reveals Himself through prophets. |
| Amos 3:8 | The lion has roared; who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken; who can but prophesy? | Prophetic utterance as response to God's word. |
| Authority and Nature of God's Word | ||
| Isa 55:11 | so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty... | God's word is powerful and accomplishes its purpose. |
| Ps 33:9 | For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. | God's word possesses creative power. |
| Jer 23:29 | Is not my word like fire, declares the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces? | God's word has destructive and refining power. |
| Ps 119:105 | Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. | God's word provides guidance. |
| Hab 2:3 | For still the vision awaits its appointed time... If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come... | Divine messages are certain to be fulfilled. |
| Prophetic Calling and Commission (New Testament) | ||
| 2 Pet 1:21 | For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. | Divine inspiration of prophetic speech. |
| Heb 1:1-2 | Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son. | God speaks through prophets, ultimately through Jesus. |
| Acts 2:16-18 | But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel... | Fulfillment of prophetic word by the Spirit. |
| John 14:26 | But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things... | The Spirit brings God's word to remembrance. |
| Luke 1:70 | just as he spoke through his holy prophets from of old, | Prophets are mouthpieces for God's ancient promises. |
| Rom 1:2 | which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, | Scriptures are divinely inspired prophetic writings. |
Ezekiel 12 verses
Ezekiel 12 1 Meaning
Ezekiel 12:1 serves as a foundational declaration, announcing the divine initiation of a new prophetic message directly to the prophet Ezekiel. It establishes the authoritative source of the forthcoming communication as YHWH, the LORD, the covenant God of Israel. This verse signifies the transfer of divine will and wisdom from God to His chosen messenger, marking the commencement of an urgent revelation meant for the exiled Judean community.
Ezekiel 12 1 Context
Ezekiel 12:1 marks a new segment within the larger prophetic message to the exiles in Babylon. Chapters 1-11 focus on God's glory departing from the Jerusalem Temple and pronouncements of impending judgment on the city and its inhabitants. The people, still clinging to false hope and belief in Jerusalem's invincibility, refuse to believe these dire warnings. Ezekiel 12 introduces a series of dramatic, symbolic actions (verses 3-7) and subsequent prophecies (verses 8-16) designed to concretely illustrate the certain reality of Jerusalem's fall, the exiling of its people, and the flight of King Zedekiah. The "word of the LORD" here initiates a crucial phase of prophecy where visual and enacted parables become paramount, intensifying God's message for a people stubbornly resistant to verbal warnings. The historical context is the period leading up to the final destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar (586 BCE), following the initial deportation of many Judeans (including Ezekiel) in 597 BCE. The verse emphasizes that even in exile, God continues to speak directly and powerfully to His people through His chosen prophet.
Ezekiel 12 1 Word analysis
- The word: (Heb. דְּבַר, dĕḇar - construct state of דָּבָר, dāḇār). Dāḇār is not merely a spoken sound or an idea, but carries immense weight, signifying a "thing," "matter," "command," "message," or "event." It implies active power and authority. In this context, it refers to the direct, authoritative utterance of God, something that does and effects. It’s a self-actualizing decree, embodying divine will and intention. Its nature transcends human communication, acting with irresistible force and bringing about what it declares.
- of the LORD: (Heb. יְהוָה, YHWH). This is the personal, covenant name of God, often rendered "Yahweh" or "Jehovah," and typically translated as "LORD" in English Bibles (following a long-standing tradition of reverence to avoid pronouncing the sacred name). Its use emphasizes that the message originates from the one true, eternal God who is sovereign, faithful to His covenant, and personally involved with His people, even in their exile. It reinforces the supreme authority and reliability of the message.
- came: (Heb. הָיָה, hâyâ - perfect tense of the verb "to be," also "to become," "to happen," or "to come into being"). Here, it denotes an active, initiated, and completed event. The word didn't just exist; it actively arrived and became present with Ezekiel. This verb highlights the divine initiative and dynamic engagement of God in communicating His message, implying that the message is not sought by the prophet but divinely imposed. It often serves as a standard introduction to a prophetic oracle.
- to me: (Heb. אֵלַי, ʾēlay - "to me" or "upon me"). This simple phrase is critical. It underscores the personal and direct reception of the divine message by Ezekiel. It confirms his role as the chosen vessel for this specific revelation, establishing his prophetic authority. The communication is not general or indirect, but aimed precisely at Ezekiel, signifying his unique commission for the exilic community.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "The word of the LORD came to me": This entire phrase is a canonical prophetic formula. Its repeated use throughout the prophetic books (especially Jeremiah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Ezekiel) immediately signals divine authority, inspiration, and the authenticity of the message to follow. It differentiates truly prophetic utterances from human opinion, personal conjecture, or false prophecy. In the cultural context, it was a crucial demarcation against false prophets who claimed divine revelation without true commissioning, relying on human wisdom, dreams, or divination. This formula roots Ezekiel's message firmly in YHWH's authority, compelling the audience to heed the subsequent words not as human pronouncements but as direct divine truth. It serves as a strong polemic against reliance on human-made or pagan systems of divination, emphasizing that true divine communication comes solely from YHWH and through His chosen mouthpiece.
Ezekiel 12 1 Bonus section
The repetitive use of the formula "the word of the LORD came to me" (or variations) in Ezekiel (occurring over 60 times) is a key structural device throughout the book. It divides Ezekiel's prophecies into distinct units, emphasizing the episodic and continuous nature of divine revelation to the prophet. This frequency solidifies Ezekiel's unique and continuous access to God's counsel during a critical period for Judah. This formula served to underscore the unreliability of any other sources of knowledge or guidance at that time, positioning YHWH alone as the ultimate arbiter of truth and future events for Israel in their state of national crisis. It highlights the divine persistence in confronting a rebellious house that consistently rejected divine warnings and signs.
Ezekiel 12 1 Commentary
Ezekiel 12:1 acts as a powerful introduction, announcing a fresh divine imperative to the prophet Ezekiel. This formulaic opening underscores God's persistent and direct communication with His people, even as they endure the hardships of exile and grapple with their hardened hearts. "The word of the LORD" is portrayed as an active, potent entity that descends upon Ezekiel, demanding his attention and serving as the foundational truth for all subsequent pronouncements. It stresses that the coming messages, often harsh and counter-intuitive to the exiles' false hopes, are not Ezekiel's own thoughts but YHWH's undeniable and authoritative declarations. The specific mention of "to me" emphasizes the direct, personal commission of Ezekiel as the legitimate, divinely appointed messenger, vital for establishing the credibility of the unwelcome truths he was to deliver concerning Jerusalem's ultimate downfall and the king's impending exile. This divine word is always purposeful, setting the stage for action and revelation.