Ezekiel 3 16

Ezekiel 3:16 kjv

And it came to pass at the end of seven days, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

Ezekiel 3:16 nkjv

Now it came to pass at the end of seven days that the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

Ezekiel 3:16 niv

At the end of seven days the word of the LORD came to me:

Ezekiel 3:16 esv

And at the end of seven days, the word of the LORD came to me:

Ezekiel 3:16 nlt

After seven days the LORD gave me a message. He said,

Ezekiel 3 verses

Ezekiel 3 16 Meaning

Ezekiel 3:16 marks a pivotal transition in the prophet Ezekiel's ministry. After his overwhelming vision and the commissioning to be a prophet to a rebellious house, followed by a period of seven days sitting silent and distressed among the exiles, this verse signifies the moment God’s specific word of instruction and direct task was imparted to him. It highlights divine timing and initiative, preceding the vital charge of being Israel's "watchman."

Ezekiel 3 16 Context

Ezekiel 3:16 is positioned at a crucial juncture following the prophet’s initial, overwhelming call and commissioning. In the preceding chapters (Ez 1-3:15), Ezekiel experienced profound visions of God's glory and holiness (Ez 1), received his prophetic mandate to confront the rebellious house of Israel (Ez 2), and physically ate a scroll containing woes and laments, symbolizing the assimilation of God's word and the bitterness of his message (Ez 3:1-3). Directly before this verse, Ezekiel describes being sent to his fellow exiles in Tel-abib and sitting "overwhelmed" or "dumbfounded" among them for seven days (Ez 3:15). This seven-day period is critical, perhaps indicating a time of purification, mourning, contemplation, or simply being incapacitated by the enormity of his divine encounter and future task. It was after this specific waiting period that the word of the Lord came again, marking the commencement of the specific instructions for his public ministry, especially as the "watchman." Historically, the setting is among the Jewish exiles in Babylon, wrestling with their captivity and holding onto false hopes of a quick return, a context to which Ezekiel’s challenging prophecies would be delivered.

Ezekiel 3 16 Word analysis

• And it came to pass: In Hebrew, וַיְהִי (vay’hi), this common narrative opening in the Old Testament signifies a new event or development, often introducing divine action or an important shift in the storyline. It suggests that this new divine communication is significant and follows a specific temporal sequence, indicating the fulfillment of a period.
• at the end of seven days:
  • Hebrew: מִקְצֵה שִׁבְעַת יָמִים (miqṣēh shiv'at yāmim). This is a precise temporal marker following Ezekiel’s sitting “dumbfounded” or "overwhelmed" (Ez 3:15).
  • Significance: The number seven frequently denotes completion, perfection, or a divinely appointed period of rest, purification, or waiting in biblical texts (e.g., creation, clean animals in Noah's ark, purification rites, ordination periods for priests). Here, it implies a divinely ordained period of preparation or spiritual assimilation for Ezekiel before active ministry commenced. It may also represent the full weight of Israel's spiritual deadness, symbolizing the intense period of his initial encounter with the reality of God's judgment and call.
  • Polemics: The waiting period underscores that prophetic revelation and divine empowerment operate on God’s sovereign timing, not on human impatience or immediate availability. It pushes against the idea that spiritual gifts or ministry are instantly available without a process of divine shaping and readiness.
• that the word of the LORD:
  • Hebrew: דְּבַר יְהוָה (devar Yahweh). This is a foundational phrase in prophetic literature, affirming the divine origin and authoritative nature of the message.
  • Significance: It clearly distinguishes the message as coming directly from Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. It emphasizes that Ezekiel is not speaking his own thoughts or interpretations, but is a pure vessel for God’s explicit communication. This phrase lends ultimate authority and demands attention from the audience, who recognized it as God's very voice. It underscores God's active involvement in human affairs, especially through His chosen messengers.
• came unto me: Highlights divine initiative and specific address. The word actively sought Ezekiel, emphasizing his role as a recipient, chosen by God. It shows that God communicates directly and personally with His prophets.
• saying: This simple word serves as a transition, introducing the direct speech of God that constitutes the actual prophetic message. It signals the start of the specific instructions or revelations to follow.

Ezekiel 3 16 Bonus section

• The "seven days" can also be interpreted as Ezekiel physically resting or "processing" the enormous spiritual experience, akin to one recovering from a major event before being able to speak or act normally. It signifies not only preparation but also the personal cost and depth of engaging with God's holiness.
• This verse firmly re-establishes God’s control over the prophetic utterance. While Ezekiel was overwhelmed and perhaps ready to speak, it was God who chose when the explicit next stage of His revelation would begin.
• The period of silence (Ez 3:15) before the word came again demonstrates a significant pause, creating a dramatic tension and emphasizing the authority and weight of the message that follows. It's a contrast between overwhelming personal experience and clear divine command for public ministry.

Ezekiel 3 16 Commentary

Ezekiel 3:16 is a critical pivot in the narrative of Ezekiel’s prophetic call. Following intense divine encounter and the burden of God’s message symbolized by the eaten scroll, Ezekiel spent seven days in a state of stunned silence, physically and spiritually absorbing the profound realities he had witnessed and was commanded to declare. This "incubation period" was not empty time but a necessary period of preparation, perhaps of overwhelming spiritual distress or priestly cleansing, akin to ordination. After this divinely ordained interval, "the word of the LORD" returned, signifying a fresh, specific directive. This resumption of direct divine communication after silence underscores that God acts according to His sovereign timing and prepares His vessels thoroughly. The verse initiates the direct command for Ezekiel to function as a watchman for Israel, highlighting that true prophecy flows from divine command, not human initiative or feeling. It teaches that powerful ministry often follows a season of quiet assimilation and dependence on God's timetable.