Ezekiel 3 11

Ezekiel 3:11 kjv

And go, get thee to them of the captivity, unto the children of thy people, and speak unto them, and tell them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear.

Ezekiel 3:11 nkjv

And go, get to the captives, to the children of your people, and speak to them and tell them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD,' whether they hear, or whether they refuse."

Ezekiel 3:11 niv

Go now to your people in exile and speak to them. Say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says,' whether they listen or fail to listen."

Ezekiel 3:11 esv

And go to the exiles, to your people, and speak to them and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD,' whether they hear or refuse to hear."

Ezekiel 3:11 nlt

Then go to your people in exile and say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says!' Do this whether they listen to you or not."

Ezekiel 3 verses

Ezekiel 3 11 Meaning

This verse contains a direct divine command to the prophet Ezekiel, instructing him to go to the Jewish exiles residing in Babylonia. His mission is to deliver the exact word of the Lord God to them, regardless of their willingness to hear or obey the message. It underscores the prophet's solemn duty to declare God's truth, placing the responsibility of reception on the hearers.

Ezekiel 3 11 Context

Ezekiel 3:11 is part of the divine commission given to the prophet Ezekiel after his initial vision by the Chebar River in Babylonia. Chapters 1-3 detail his call, the scroll he consumes (symbolizing the word he must speak), and the explicit instructions from God regarding his prophetic ministry. The broader historical context is that of the Babylonian Exile. The southern kingdom of Judah has already been partially deported (with figures like Ezekiel in this group, taken in 597 BC), and the final destruction of Jerusalem (586 BC) is yet to come. The people, while exiled, were often hardened against God's word, resistant to the messages of judgment and repentance delivered by earlier prophets like Jeremiah, and still clinging to false hopes or idolatrous practices. Ezekiel is being sent to these same "rebellious" people (as described in Ezek 2:3-8 and 3:7), specifically those who share his exiled status. This verse clarifies his precise audience and the imperative nature of his task, setting the stage for his difficult prophetic work.

Ezekiel 3 11 Word analysis

• And go (וְלֵךְ - v'lekh): An immediate, strong imperative command. It signifies direct, obedient action required by Ezekiel, leaving no room for hesitation or debate. It underlines the urgency and the divine initiative in his mission.
• get thee to the captives (אֶל-הַגּוֹלָה - el hagolah): Refers specifically to the exiles, the people deported from Judah to Babylonia. This is Ezekiel's precise audience. It connects his ministry to those sharing his displacement, making his message particularly poignant. The use of the definite article ("the" captives) specifies a particular group, not a general populace.
• unto the children of thy people (אֶל-בְּנֵי עַמְּךָ - el benei ammekha): This phrase emphasizes the national, familial, and ethnic tie between Ezekiel and his audience. He is not sent to a foreign nation but to his own kinsmen, heightening the personal stakes of his message. It conveys both an intimate connection and the deep disappointment associated with their rebellion.
• and speak unto them, and tell them (וְדִבַּרְתָּ אֲלֵיהֶם וְאָמַרְתָּ לָהֶם - v'dibbartah 'aleihem v'amar'ta lahem): This double expression ("speak" and "tell") underscores the comprehensive and explicit nature of Ezekiel's communication. Dibbar often implies thoughtful speech or conversing, while amar means to declare or pronounce. Together, they signify a clear, deliberate, and full transmission of the message, without omission or alteration.
• Thus saith the Lord GOD (כֹּה-אָמַר אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה - koh amar Adonai YHWH): This is the quintessential prophetic formula affirming divine authority. It means the words are not Ezekiel's own thoughts or opinions but the very declaration of the sovereign and covenant-keeping God. Adonai signifies "Master" or "Lord," denoting absolute authority, while YHWH (rendered "GOD" in capitals) is the personal, covenant name of God, emphasizing His unchanging faithfulness. This phrase establishes the inviolable nature of the message.
• Whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear (אִם-יִשְׁמְעוּ וְאִם-יֶחְדָּלוּ - im yishm'u v'im yechdelu): This crucial clause defines the scope and expectation of Ezekiel's ministry. Yishm'u (from shama) means "to hear" but encompasses understanding, listening, and obeying. Yechdelu (from chadal) means "to desist," "to refrain," or "to fail." This construction makes it clear that Ezekiel's obedience in delivering the message is paramount, irrespective of the people's response. Their choice to heed or reject the message belongs to them; his responsibility is simply to proclaim it. God's purpose for speaking (making His word known and bringing accountability) will be accomplished either way.

• go, get thee to the captives, unto the children of thy people: This grouping of commands highlights Ezekiel's direct commission to a very specific, intimate, and challenging audience. It implies physical relocation (going to them) and direct engagement with those who share his ethnicity and present hardship, setting the personal and communal tone of his mission.
• speak unto them, and tell them, Thus saith the Lord GOD: This emphasizes the core task of the prophet: to be God's direct mouthpiece. It signifies that the method of delivery (speaking/telling) and the source of the message (the Lord GOD Himself) are absolute and non-negotiable aspects of Ezekiel's duty. His role is to accurately convey divine revelation.
• Whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: This phrase represents divine sovereignty over outcomes and human freedom. It defines the prophet's success not by the number of converts or amount of positive reception, but by his faithfulness in delivery. It also underlines the people's ultimate accountability for their choices. God's word fulfills its purpose simply by being declared.

Ezekiel 3 11 Bonus section

The charge in Ezekiel 3:11 functions as a spiritual "watchman" mandate, which is elaborated upon later in Ezekiel 3:17-21. The prophet's task is akin to a sentinel warning of danger; whether the people heed the warning or not, the watchman is clear of responsibility if he has diligently sounded the alarm. This emphasizes that God's purpose in speaking is not always to guarantee a specific outcome of mass repentance, but often to establish a clear witness, leave humanity without excuse, and ultimately accomplish His sovereign will in judgment or salvation. The emphasis on "the children of thy people" (Exekiel 3:11) implies a unique burden and compassion within the prophet's call, as he brings a potentially difficult message to his own community, yet his loyalty to God transcends human affiliations. This verse also foreshadows the pervasive theme of human stubbornness and a "hard heart" found throughout Ezekiel's ministry, highlighting the challenge of true spiritual reception.

Ezekiel 3 11 Commentary

Ezekiel 3:11 powerfully distills the essence of a prophet's commission: unreserved obedience to God's command to deliver His message, regardless of the recipients' reaction. Ezekiel is instructed to leave his immediate context and actively seek out his own people in their exile, ensuring the divine word reaches them. The recurring prophetic formula, "Thus saith the Lord GOD," grounds the message in divine authority, affirming it is not Ezekiel's wisdom but God's eternal truth. The pivotal concluding clause, "Whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear," liberates the prophet from the burden of measurable success, placing the responsibility squarely on the hearers. This liberates Ezekiel to speak fearlessly, knowing his faithfulness is judged by his proclamation, not the outcome. The people's response of hearing and obeying, or hardening their hearts and refusing, is a testament to their free will and determines their own fate, but it does not diminish the truth or purpose of God's revealed word. This principle remains timeless for anyone commissioned to declare God's truth, reminding us that fidelity to the message supersedes concern for human acceptance.