Ezekiel 17 1

Ezekiel 17:1 kjv

And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

Ezekiel 17:1 nkjv

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

Ezekiel 17:1 niv

The word of the LORD came to me:

Ezekiel 17:1 esv

The word of the LORD came to me:

Ezekiel 17:1 nlt

Then this message came to me from the LORD:

Ezekiel 17 verses

Ezekiel 17 1 Meaning

Ezekiel 17:1 is a standard prophetic formula, signifying the divine origin and absolute authority of the message that immediately follows. It marks the initiation of a specific prophetic revelation, establishing that what is about to be declared originates entirely from the Lord Yahweh, conveyed directly to the prophet Ezekiel. This verse acts as a solemn preamble, preparing the audience for a significant divine utterance.

Ezekiel 17 1 Context

This verse serves as the direct introduction to a complex allegorical prophecy concerning the political treachery of Judah's King Zedekiah against Babylon, culminating in severe judgment. Historically, the chapter is set during the Babylonian exile (around 593/592 BC), following the first deportation of Judah (597 BC), which included King Jehoiachin and many prominent citizens. King Zedekiah, installed by Nebuchadnezzar as a vassal king, had sworn an oath of allegiance to Babylon. The preceding chapter, Ezekiel 16, provides a graphic allegory of Jerusalem's harlotry and apostasy, establishing the spiritual background for God's impending judgment. Chapter 17 specifically addresses Judah's misplaced hope in an alliance with Egypt, a direct violation of their oath to Babylon (represented by the second great eagle and the uprooted vine). Culturally, the use of a parable was a common, often veiled, method of conveying complex political and theological messages to an audience familiar with agrarian imagery and symbols of powerful nations. The context contains a strong indirect polemic against breaking solemn oaths, particularly those sworn in the name of God, and against relying on worldly alliances (like Egypt) rather than trusting in divine sovereignty or facing the consequences of sin.

Ezekiel 17 1 Word analysis

• And (וַֽיְהִ֖י - wa·yᵊ·hî): "And it came to pass" or "And it was." This conjunction marks a common Hebrew narrative device, connecting events or statements sequentially. It signifies the commencement of a new, divinely orchestrated event or declaration following previous discourses or visions.
• the word (דְּבַר - dᵊ·ḇar): From Hebrew davar (דָּבָר). This is much more than mere vocal sound; davar encompasses message, affair, thing, event, action, or decree. It conveys the idea of a potent, substantial communication, laden with authority, power, and effectiveness, not just abstract speech.
• of the Lord (יְהוָ֣ה - YHWH): The sacred, ineffable covenant name of God, often transliterated as Yahweh. This specific name emphasizes God's self-existence, His active presence, and His covenant relationship with Israel. Its use highlights that the message originates from the sovereign, faithful God of Israel, ensuring its absolute truth and authority.
• came (וַיְהִי - wa·yᵊ·hî): While "And it came to pass" includes wa·yᵊ·hî, the act of "coming" to the prophet emphasizes the divine initiation of the message. It is not something Ezekiel sought out or generated, but a revelation sovereignly sent by God to him. It implies an encounter.
• unto me (אֵלַ֥י - ’ê·lay): This preposition indicates direct address to Ezekiel, confirming him as the divinely appointed recipient of the message. It underscores the personal and immediate nature of God's communication with His chosen prophet, differentiating it from a general revelation.
• saying (לֵּאמֹֽר - lê·mōr): From Hebrew ‘amar (אָמַר). This infinitive verb typically introduces direct speech, signifying that what follows is the exact utterance or declaration from the Lord. It serves as a marker for the verbatim content of the divine message, confirming its explicit instruction or revelation.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "And the word of the Lord came": This introductory phrase underscores the absolute sovereignty and active initiative of God in revelation. It stresses that the ensuing message is not a human construct or philosophical musing, but a powerful, dynamic communication directly from the Creator and Covenant Keeper to humanity. This formula establishes the foundational authority for all prophetic discourse.
• "unto me, saying": This part specifies the channel and mode of revelation. It highlights Ezekiel's role as a chosen intermediary, receiving the direct divine utterance, rather than developing the message himself. It ensures that the prophet's personality is subservient to God's message, positioning him as a faithful mouthpiece.

Ezekiel 17 1 Bonus section

• This "word of the Lord came unto me" formula appears dozens of times in the book of Ezekiel alone, marking distinct units of prophetic revelation. Its frequent repetition emphasizes God's consistent communication and active involvement with His people, even in exile.
• Ezekiel's prophetic role, established earlier as a "watchman" (Eze 3:17-21), means he is duty-bound to deliver precisely what God tells him. This introductory verse directly supports that duty, showing him faithfully reporting the divine message.
• The emphasis on "the Word of the Lord" (דָּבָר יְהוָה) resonates through the entire Bible, ultimately pointing to Jesus Christ as the embodied Word (John 1:1, 14), through whom God perfectly speaks to humanity.
• While Ezekiel also receives visions, this verse indicates a direct verbal oracle. The divine communication here is direct speech, setting the stage for the specific interpretation that follows the parable later in the chapter (Eze 17:11-21).

Ezekiel 17 1 Commentary

Ezekiel 17:1, a concise and often-repeated prophetic formula, is far more than a simple narrative connector; it is a foundational statement of divine authority for the complex parable that unfolds. "The word of the Lord" (dvar YHWH) signals a potent, dynamic, and effective divine communication, a personal decree from Yahweh Himself, actively intruding into Ezekiel's reality. The phrase "came unto me" establishes the immediate, personal nature of this encounter, removing any ambiguity about the message's source: it is not Ezekiel's insight but God's sovereign disclosure. This introduction is vital for understanding the entire chapter, as the parable details sensitive political treachery and the breaking of sacred oaths. By opening with this solemn declaration, the prophet imbues the message with undeniable weight, demanding absolute attention and submission to divine will, particularly for an exiled people struggling to comprehend their situation and their leaders' choices. The formula validates the prophet's legitimacy and the ultimate truthfulness of God's imminent judgment.