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

Ezekiel 2:6 commands the prophet Ezekiel not to fear the rebellious exiles of Israel, despite their harsh and hostile nature. It likens the people he is sent to minister to as a dangerous and painful environment—briers, thorns, and scorpions—emphasizing their opposition, verbal hostility, and defiant expressions, which he must not allow to deter his divine mission. The verse stresses God's empowerment and insistence on the prophet's obedience in the face of inevitable, severe resistance.

Ezekiel 2 6 Context

Ezekiel 2:6 is part of Ezekiel's initial prophetic commission in Babylon during the exile. Following his vision of God's glory and a call to service in Chapter 1, this verse, within Chapter 2, emphasizes the challenging nature of his mission. God is preparing Ezekiel for the stiff-necked and rebellious people of Israel, who have consistently defied Him. The immediate context of Ezekiel 2:3-7 details God's command for Ezekiel to speak His words to a house of rebels, reiterating that whether they listen or not, they will know a prophet has been among them. Ezekiel's audience consists of exiles who have likely brought their rebellious attitudes with them to Babylon. Historically, the people of Judah (and previously Israel) had a long history of rejecting God's prophets, making this warning highly relevant for Ezekiel's task. The cultural context would have meant prophets, though revered when they brought favorable messages, were often reviled and persecuted for conveying uncomfortable truths, warnings of judgment, or calls to repentance.

Ezekiel 2 6 Word analysis

• And you (וְאַתָּה, wə’attāh): "You" is emphatic, setting Ezekiel apart from the rebellious house of Israel. It directly addresses him, emphasizing his individual responsibility and the specific command given to him.

• son of man (בֶּן-אָדָם, ben-ādām): A consistent address for Ezekiel throughout the book (over 90 times). It emphasizes his human mortality and dependence on God, contrasting his humble status with the awesome divine power he has encountered. It's a reminder of his humanity while serving as God's representative. In other biblical contexts (e.g., Ps 8:4), it signifies humanity in general. In apocalyptic literature, it takes on a different, Messianic meaning, but for Ezekiel, it highlights his earthly nature.

• do not be afraid of them (אַל-תִּירָא מֵהֶם, ’al-tîrā’ mêhem): A direct negative command. This fear is a natural human response to hostility. God knows the hearts of people and preempts Ezekiel's potential fear, indicating the severity of the opposition he will face. It implies a necessary resolve.

• nor be afraid of their words (וּמִדִּבְרֵיהֶם אַל-תֵּחָת, ûmiddibhrêhem ’al-tēḥāṯ): "Their words" suggests verbal abuse, insults, ridicule, false accusations, and rejection of the message. The repetition emphasizes that even their speech, not just their actions or presence, can be intimidating. אַל-תֵּחָת (têḥāṯ) means "do not be dismayed, terrified, broken down," implying psychological pressure.

• though briers (סַלּוֹנִים, sallônîm): Sallon refers to prickly, thorny bushes, a common problem in the Middle East. It symbolizes something that pierces, wounds, and makes passage difficult. Here, it metaphorically describes the people's stubborn, resistant, and pain-inflicting nature.

• and thorns (וְקוֹצִים, wəqôṣîm): Qoṣ are sharp thorns or thistles, reinforcing the image of a hostile environment. Combined with "briers," it portrays the people as troublesome and potentially injurious. The double imagery emphasizes pervasive difficulty and potential for harm.

• are with you (אִתָּךְ, ’ittākh): Means "in your presence" or "among you." It's not just a future possibility but the present reality of his surroundings—he is literally dwelling among such people.

• and you dwell (וְאֶל-עַקְרַבִּים אַתָּה יוֹשֵׁב, wə’el-‘aqrabbîm ’attāh yôšēḇ): "Dwell" (yôšēḇ) implies continuous habitation and intimate proximity to this dangerous environment, making the threat ever-present.

• among scorpions (עַקְרַבִּים, ‘aqrabbîm): ‘Aqrav refers to scorpions, creatures notorious for their venomous sting and ability to hide and strike unexpectedly. This imagery escalates the danger from merely painful (briers, thorns) to potentially lethal, representing intense, cunning, and aggressive opposition that could truly incapacitate or kill one's spirit.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "And you, son of man": Distinguishes Ezekiel as a mere human vessel, chosen and tasked specifically by God to convey divine messages to a designated audience, underscoring the immense gap between messenger and the message's origin.
  • "do not be afraid of them nor be afraid of their words": This double negative command against fear, first of their general presence/actions and then specifically their speech, highlights God's accurate foresight of the intimidating and verbally hostile reception Ezekiel will face. It serves as an empowerment for him against potential emotional and psychological weariness.
  • "though briers and thorns are with you and you dwell among scorpions": This powerful composite metaphor describes the audience's extreme hostility and their capability of inflicting pain and even spiritual damage upon the prophet. It vividly illustrates a dangerously difficult environment where the people themselves are the agents of suffering and opposition, reinforcing why God commands Ezekiel not to fear them. The escalation from passive difficulty ("briers and thorns") to active, potentially fatal threat ("scorpions") signifies the intensity of their rebellion.
  • "do not be afraid of their words nor be dismayed by their looks": The repeated "do not be afraid of their words" followed by "nor be dismayed by their looks" amplifies the call for unwavering courage. It addresses both their verbal aggression and non-verbal cues (such as defiant glares, contemptuous expressions, or scornful stares), demonstrating that God understands the full spectrum of psychological warfare the prophet will endure. "Dismayed" (al-tēḥāth) is a strong term for being utterly broken in spirit or resolve.

Ezekiel 2 6 Bonus section

The choice of imagery—briers, thorns, and scorpions—is particularly apt for the arid and semi-arid regions of the ancient Near East, where these dangers were common realities. Thorns and briers could snare, scratch, and make travel painful, while scorpions were a genuine threat, known for their painful, and sometimes lethal, sting. This ground-level, visceral imagery would have been immediately understandable to Ezekiel and his audience, communicating the raw, dangerous nature of the spiritual terrain God was sending him into. Furthermore, this verse also implicitly draws a contrast with the imagery of a good shepherd (e.g., Ps 23, Eze 34), highlighting that this "flock" is far from docile, resembling a hostile wilderness rather than a lush pasture. The instruction here prepares Ezekiel for a work of confrontation and warning, rather than nurturing and peaceful shepherding.

Ezekiel 2 6 Commentary

Ezekiel 2:6 is a foundational statement of divine commission that anticipates and addresses the intense, multifaceted opposition a true prophet of God will face. It's not merely a general encouragement but a direct, protective instruction from God, equipping Ezekiel emotionally and spiritually for a mission certain to meet resistance. The striking imagery of "briers, thorns, and scorpions" elevates the challenge beyond mere disagreement; it depicts an environment designed to inflict pain, impede progress, and even poison the messenger's spirit. Yet, the repeated command "do not be afraid" is anchored in the understanding that the prophet's authority and strength come from God, not from his human abilities or the compliance of his audience. This verse serves as a crucial reminder that God often calls His servants into difficult and hostile spiritual territories, not expecting them to be fearless by nature, but empowering them through His divine presence and mandate to overcome the intimidation tactics of rebellious hearts. Ezekiel's unwavering posture despite such adversity would bear witness to God's uncompromising word.