Ezekiel 2 6

Ezekiel 2:6 kjv

And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.

Ezekiel 2:6 nkjv

"And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you dwell among scorpions; do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their looks, though they are a rebellious house.

Ezekiel 2:6 niv

And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they say or be terrified by them, though they are a rebellious people.

Ezekiel 2:6 esv

And you, son of man, be not afraid of them, nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions. Be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house.

Ezekiel 2:6 nlt

"Son of man, do not fear them or their words. Don't be afraid even though their threats surround you like nettles and briers and stinging scorpions. Do not be dismayed by their dark scowls, even though they are rebels.

Ezekiel 2 verses

Ezekiel 2 6 Meaning

This verse establishes a direct, authoritative command from God to Ezekiel. The command is clear and unambiguous: speak God's words to Israel. It emphasizes that God’s message is what must be conveyed, not Ezekiel's own thoughts or opinions. The core purpose is to deliver God's divine communication to His people.

Ezekiel 2 6 Context

Ezekiel is in exile in Babylon, a challenging time for the Israelites. He has just been commissioned by God, symbolized by the seraphim, the living creatures, and the wheels. God's presence, even in exile, is being powerfully demonstrated. The prophecy is delivered in a vision, emphasizing its divine origin. The people of Israel are described as a "rebellious house," indicating their persistent sinfulness and stiff-necked nature. This verse is part of a crucial transitional phase where Ezekiel transitions from receiving the divine commission to actually carrying it out. The emphasis is on the source of the message and the mandate for Ezekiel to be an obedient messenger.

Ezekiel 2 6 Word analysis

• "And" (Hebrew: וָאִמֶר - v'amer) - Connective, linking this verse to the previous revelation and command.

• "thou" (Hebrew: אַתָּה - 'atta) - Singular masculine pronoun, referring directly to Ezekiel.

• "must" (Hebrew: לוּ - lu is not the correct word. The sense is imperative/commanded) - Implies necessity and obligation. The Hebrew here is an infinitive construct implying command, more like "Speak" or "You shall speak."

• "speak" (Hebrew: דַּבֵּר - dabber) - Imperative form of the verb "to speak" or "to talk."

• "my" (Hebrew: אֲנִי - 'ani) - Possessive pronoun, indicating the words belong to God.

• "words" (Hebrew: דְּבָרַי - d'barai) - Plural form of "word," referring to divine utterances, commands, or messages.

• "unto" (Hebrew: אֶל - 'el) - Preposition indicating direction or target of the speech.

• "them" (Hebrew: הֵם - hem) - Plural pronoun, referring to the people of Israel.

• "whether" (Hebrew: אִם - 'im) - Conjunction introducing a condition or alternative.

• "they" (Hebrew: הֵמָּה - hemmah) - Plural pronoun, referring to the people of Israel.

• "will hear" (Hebrew: יִשְׁמָעוּן - yishma'un) - Future tense of the verb "to hear," meaning "they will listen" or "they will obey."

• "or" (Hebrew: אִם - 'im) - Conjunction introducing another alternative.

• "whether" (Hebrew: אִם - 'im) - Conjunction introducing a condition or alternative.

• "they" (Hebrew: לֹא - lo, indicating negation, better translated with the "forbear" word) - Refers to the people.

• "forbear" (Hebrew: יִכָחֵדּוּן - yikhḥeduun, or simply forbear/refuse without explicit Hebrew for it here as lo might refer to their condition. A more precise translation is if they do not or whether they refrain. It implies refusal to listen or act.) - Implies to refrain, stop, cease, or to be obstinate. The Hebrew conveys the idea of them not hearing or acting. The phrase "whether they hear, or whether they forbear" implies regardless of their response.

• Words Group Analysis: The core of the verse is the command to "speak my words unto them." The phrase "whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear" emphasizes the prophet's responsibility is to deliver the message, regardless of the reception. This absolves Ezekiel of the responsibility for Israel's reaction; his duty is to be God's faithful messenger.

Ezekiel 2 6 Bonus Section

The term "rebellious house" used earlier in chapter 2 signifies a deep-seated, generational pattern of defiance against God. This context underscores why God anticipates a negative reception for Ezekiel’s message. The commission to speak God’s words to them, despite their recalcitrance, demonstrates God’s persistent love and desire for His people’s repentance, even when their hearts are hardened. Ezekiel's ministry is thus established as one of challenging but necessary truth-telling.

Ezekiel 2 6 Commentary

Ezekiel's mission is defined by God's explicit command: deliver His message. This highlights the prophet’s role as a conduit for divine revelation, not an originator of it. The message is God’s, and Ezekiel's task is to relay it faithfully. The crucial element is the unconditionality of the command; the people’s potential response – whether they listen and obey or ignore and refuse – does not alter Ezekiel's duty. This stresses the accountability of the messenger to the sender, independent of the audience’s reception. The verse sets the precedent for all prophetic ministry, where obedience to God’s word is paramount, even in the face of rejection or opposition.