Ezekiel 22:17 kjv
And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
Ezekiel 22:17 nkjv
The word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Ezekiel 22:17 niv
Then the word of the LORD came to me:
Ezekiel 22:17 esv
And the word of the LORD came to me:
Ezekiel 22:17 nlt
Then this message came to me from the LORD:
Ezekiel 22 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Divine Origin & Formulaic Intro: | ||
| Eze 22:1 | Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, | Identical introduction in the same chapter. |
| Eze 21:1 | And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, | Standard prophetic opening for a new oracle. |
| Jer 1:4 | Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, | Prophetic commissioning through God's word. |
| Hag 1:1 | ...came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet unto Zerubbabel... | God's word conveyed through a prophet. |
| Zec 1:1 | ...came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah... | God initiates communication to His prophet. |
| 1 Sam 15:10 | Then came the word of the LORD unto Samuel, saying, | Divine directive given to Samuel. |
| Jon 1:1 | Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah... | God's specific call and command. |
| Joel 1:1 | The word of the LORD that came to Joel... | Divine message conveyed to the prophet. |
| Authority & Power of God's Word: | ||
| Isa 55:11 | So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return.. | God's word is effective and accomplishes His will. |
| Ps 33:4 | For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth. | The truthfulness and righteousness of God's word. |
| Ps 119:105 | Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. | God's word provides guidance and direction. |
| Jer 23:29 | Is not my word like as a fire? ...and like a hammer...? | The potent and transformative power of God's word. |
| Matt 24:35 | Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. | The eternal and enduring nature of God's word. |
| Heb 4:12 | For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged.. | The living, active, and penetrating power of God's word. |
| Prophetic Calling & Mandate: | ||
| Deut 18:18 | I will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak all that I command. | God equips and directs His prophets to speak His words. |
| Jer 1:7 | ...whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. | A prophet's duty is to faithfully declare God's commands. |
| Amos 3:7 | Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto... | God's method of revealing His plans through prophets. |
| 2 Tim 3:16 | All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable... | The divine origin of all scripture, including prophecy. |
| 2 Pet 1:21 | ...prophecy came not...by the will of man: but holy men...moved by...Spirit. | Prophets speak not their own words, but God's through the Holy Spirit. |
| Christ as the Word (NT Echo): | ||
| Jn 1:1 | In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. | Jesus Christ as the ultimate, eternal embodiment of God's revelation. |
| Rev 19:13 | ...his name is called The Word of God. | Christ as the living manifestation of God's decisive revelation. |
Ezekiel 22 verses
Ezekiel 22 17 Meaning
Ezekiel 22:17 signifies the precise moment of divine communication, marking the beginning of a direct prophetic oracle from God to Ezekiel. This verse is a formulaic introduction that emphasizes the message's unquestionable divine origin and authority. It asserts that the subsequent words are not human thoughts or opinions, but the revealed and authoritative utterance of the Lord God Himself, delivered directly to His chosen prophet for the people.
Ezekiel 22 17 Context
Ezekiel 22:17 serves as a distinct introductory formula within the larger prophetic book of Ezekiel, specifically within chapter 22. This chapter is a scathing indictment of Jerusalem and Judah, detailing a comprehensive list of their sins: bloodshed, idolatry, sexual immorality, oppression of the vulnerable (fatherless, widow, sojourner), and widespread corruption among leaders, priests, and princes. Verses 1-16 lay out these extensive transgressions, highlighting the moral decay and legal perversion in the heart of God's covenant people. Following this litany of sin, verse 17 marks a transition, introducing a new, yet related, divine oracle. This subsequent message, revealed in verses 18-22, describes God's impending judgment upon Jerusalem using the metaphor of a refiner's fire, where Israel will be melted like dross. Historically, Ezekiel delivered these prophecies to the Jewish exiles in Babylon during the early 6th century BCE, a time when Jerusalem was under the shadow of its impending destruction (which occurred in 586 BCE). This oracle serves as God's justification for that catastrophic event, emphasizing that the judgment is a direct consequence of their unrepentant rebellion and a purifying act.
Ezekiel 22 17 Word analysis
- Moreover (וַיְהִי - vayhi): The Hebrew simply means "And it was" or "And it happened." KJV adds "Moreover" to connect this new divine utterance smoothly with the preceding condemnations, suggesting a continuation or amplification of God's pronouncements against Jerusalem's sins. It structurally introduces a new section or oracle.
- the word (דְּבַר - devar): This term signifies more than just sound; it denotes an active, potent message, an authoritative utterance that carries the intention and will of the speaker. It conveys substance, command, and truth, rather than mere communication.
- of the LORD (יְהוָה - YHWH): This refers to the covenant God of Israel, the personal and redemptive name. It underscores that the message originates from the supreme, sovereign, and unchanging God who is faithful to His covenant, yet also just in His judgments.
- came (הָיָה - hayah): Literally "to be," "to become," or "to happen." In this context, it denotes an active, deliberate transmission of the divine message from God to the prophet. The word did not passively appear; it was supernaturally delivered.
- unto me (אֵלַי - elay): This specifies Ezekiel as the direct, personal recipient of this particular revelation. It highlights the prophet's unique role as God's chosen messenger and mouthpiece, receiving the divine will first-hand.
- saying (לֵאמֹר - lemor): This common Hebrew infinitive signals the immediate onset of direct speech or quotation. It indicates that the subsequent words are the precise content of the divine message, faithfully reported by the prophet without alteration or interpolation.
Word-group analysis
- "Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,": This entire phrase is a standardized prophetic formula used frequently across the Old Testament prophetic books. It serves as a declarative statement affirming the divine origin, authority, and authenticity of the message that follows. It fundamentally establishes that the prophet's words are God's own words, emphasizing inspiration and commission. This formula not only structures the prophetic narrative but also repeatedly affirms the source of revelation, grounding it firmly in YHWH Himself and preparing the audience for a message of ultimate importance and truth.
Ezekiel 22 17 Bonus section
The frequent recurrence of the phrase "the word of the LORD came unto me" or similar forms (over 50 times in Ezekiel alone) functions as a theological cornerstone, underscoring the consistent and authoritative nature of God's communication to His people through His chosen prophet. Each instance reiterates God's initiative in breaking His silence, actively engaging with human history and providing divine interpretation for their circumstances. The structure often found in prophetic books—catalogue of sins, followed by this intro, then the divine judgment—demonstrates a consistent pattern of God revealing the reason for judgment directly from His own mouth. This formula also separates the prophetic oracle from ordinary human discourse, elevating its content to the level of ultimate truth and divine command. It reminds the audience that even though delivered through a human, the voice heard is ultimately God's, a concept that underpins the authority of all scriptural revelation.
Ezekiel 22 17 Commentary
Ezekiel 22:17 is a crucial introductory formula that serves as a divine warrant for the oracle that immediately follows (Eze 22:18-22). It moves beyond the catalog of Jerusalem's sins to explicitly declare God's judicial response, emphasizing His direct involvement. This simple yet profound statement positions Ezekiel as an unassailable conduit of God's potent and active word. In a culture saturated with false prophets and conflicting messages, this phrase unequivocally asserts the genuine and singular source of truth. It communicates that what is about to be revealed is not merely human observation or speculation, but a divine decree, binding and inevitable in its execution, underscoring both God's omniscience and His righteous judgment. This introduction lends gravity and finality to the impending message of fiery judgment, presenting it as an absolute pronouncement from the sovereign Lord.