Ezekiel 12 17

Ezekiel 12:17 kjv

Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

Ezekiel 12:17 nkjv

Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

Ezekiel 12:17 niv

The word of the LORD came to me:

Ezekiel 12:17 esv

And the word of the LORD came to me:

Ezekiel 12:17 nlt

Then this message came to me from the LORD:

Ezekiel 12 verses

Ezekiel 12 17 Meaning

Ezekiel 12:17 serves as a common prophetic formula, signaling the divine origin and authoritative nature of the message that immediately follows. It indicates that the Lord initiated communication with the prophet Ezekiel, designating the ensuing words not as human opinion but as direct divine revelation. This phrase consistently introduces significant new oracles, instructions, or divine interpretations of previous actions, anchoring the prophetic message in the unchanging counsel of God.

Ezekiel 12 17 Context

Ezekiel 12:17 occurs within a series of divine communications to the prophet Ezekiel concerning the impending destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of its inhabitants. Chapters 10-12 are particularly focused on the departure of God's glory from the temple and the detailed signs illustrating the Babylonian siege and capture of Jerusalem's last king, Zedekiah. Prior to verse 17, Ezekiel has performed a dramatic symbolic act of digging through a wall and carrying his baggage out at dusk, illustrating Zedekiah's attempted escape and subsequent capture (vv. 1-16). This specific oracle introduced by verse 17 instructs Ezekiel to eat his food with trembling and drink his water with quaking (vv. 18-20), symbolizing the extreme fear, anxiety, and distress that the people of Jerusalem and Judah will experience during the siege, and in their exile, as their land is laid waste. Thus, verse 17 introduces a new, reinforcing sign-act and a prophecy about the grim reality awaiting Judah.

Ezekiel 12 17 Word analysis

• Moreover (וַיְהִי / `wa-yihî`): This is a conjunction commonly translated as "and it came to pass" or "now it happened." In this context, it acts as a transitional element, introducing a new, distinct prophetic utterance or narrative segment, connecting it to the previous discussion while signaling a fresh directive. It denotes continuation but also often marks the beginning of an important event or communication in biblical Hebrew.
• the word (דְּבַר / `dᵊḇar`): The Hebrew `devar` refers to an utterance, command, matter, or event. It is more than just spoken sound; it often carries the weight of authority, efficacy, and active power. In this context, it signifies a potent divine declaration or message, not a mere suggestion. The `devar` of God is inherently effective and brings about what it declares.
• of the LORD (יְהוָה / `YHWH`): This is the Tetragrammaton, the personal covenant name of God, frequently transliterated as Yahweh. It emphasizes God's self-existence, eternal nature, and faithfulness to His covenant. When `devar` is attributed to `YHWH`, it highlights that the message originates from the supreme, sovereign, and covenant-keeping God of Israel, imbuing it with absolute authority and certainty.
• came (הָיָה / `hâyâ`): The verb `hâyâ` means "to be," "to become," or "to happen." In this construct "the word of the Lord came," it signifies divine initiative. God's word is not passively awaited but actively comes forth, indicating that this communication is not something Ezekiel sought out but rather was imposed upon him by divine will.
• to me (אֵלַי / `’ēlay`): The Hebrew preposition `’el` means "to" or "towards," combined with the first-person singular suffix "-ay" meaning "my/me." This indicates a direct, personal address to the prophet Ezekiel. It underscores Ezekiel's role as a direct recipient of divine revelation, commissioned to deliver specific messages to his audience.
• saying (לֵאמֹר / `lē’mōr`): This infinitive construct typically serves as a direct quotation marker. It introduces the precise words or message that the Lord delivered to Ezekiel, ensuring that what follows is understood as the exact divine communication without embellishment or alteration.

• "the word of the LORD came to me, saying": This is a recurring formula in prophetic literature, affirming that the subsequent message is not of human origin but directly from God Himself. It establishes the prophetic authority and underscores the absolute veracity and importance of the forthcoming oracle. The regularity of this phrase highlights the structured and purposeful nature of divine revelation to His chosen spokespersons, establishing a chain of command and communication from heaven to earth.

Ezekiel 12 17 Bonus section

The repetitive nature of "the word of the LORD came to me/him/them, saying" throughout the prophetic books (e.g., in Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Zechariah) is a deliberate literary and theological device. It serves to:

• Establish Divine Sovereignty: It consistently reminds both the prophet and the audience that God is actively involved in history and communicates His will.
• Authenticate Prophecy: By reiterating the source, it validates the message as divinely inspired truth, contrasting it with human wisdom or false prophecies.
• Structure Prophetic Books: These formulas often mark distinct oracles or shifts in theme within a longer prophetic work, serving as internal divisions for understanding the flow of revelation.
• Underscore Prophetic Authority: For the people, hearing or reading this phrase meant that the prophet was speaking for God, thus commanding attention and obedience.

Ezekiel 12 17 Commentary

Ezekiel 12:17 acts as a foundational preface, underscoring the theocentric nature of all prophecy in Ezekiel's ministry. It’s not Ezekiel’s own analysis or premonition, but the "word of the LORD" that actively "came to him." This introduction affirms divine authorship, emphasizing that God, the self-existent and covenant-faithful YHWH, initiates the communication. The phrase effectively removes any doubt about the message's source and authority. It signals the reliability and certainty of the following judgment concerning Judah, positioning it as an immutable decree from the sovereign God, to which Ezekiel must listen and convey without hesitation, despite the painful reality it predicts. The continuous recurrence of this introductory phrase throughout prophetic books reinforces the unwavering consistency and authority of God's interaction with humanity through His chosen messengers.