Ezekiel 3:17 kjv
Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.
Ezekiel 3:17 nkjv
"Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me:
Ezekiel 3:17 niv
"Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.
Ezekiel 3:17 esv
"Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me.
Ezekiel 3:17 nlt
"Son of man, I have appointed you as a watchman for Israel. Whenever you receive a message from me, warn people immediately.
Ezekiel 3 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel 3:18 | If I say to the wicked, "You will surely die," and you do not warn them... | Ezekiel 3:18 (Direct consequence) |
| Ezekiel 3:20 | If I say to the righteous person, "You will surely live," but they then... | Ezekiel 3:20 (Consequence for inaction) |
| Jeremiah 23:22 | If they had stood in my counsel and had made my words known to my people... | Jeremiah 23:22 (False prophets' failure) |
| Acts 20:26-27 | Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. | Acts 20:26-27 (Apostle's similar role) |
| 1 Corinthians 9:16 | For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no reason to boast. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! | 1 Corinthians 9:16 (The imperative of proclaiming) |
| Hebrews 13:17 | Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls... | Hebrews 13:17 (Shepherds as watchmen) |
| Isaiah 56:10 | His watchmen are blind; they are all without knowledge; they are all like mute dogs that cannot bark... | Isaiah 56:10 (Contrast with unfaithful watchmen) |
| Deuteronomy 18:22 | When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the word does not come to pass or prove true, that is the word that the LORD has not spoken... | Deuteronomy 18:22 (Discernment of true prophecy) |
| Jeremiah 1:17 | But you, dress yourself for hardship... speak to them all that I command you. Be not... | Jeremiah 1:17 (God's commissioning of Jeremiah) |
| Ezekiel 33:7-9 | So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. If I say to the wicked, 'O wicked person, you will surely die,' and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked person will die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked of his way, to turn from it, and he does not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity, but you have saved your life. | Ezekiel 33:7-9 (Reiteration and expansion of watchman role) |
| Romans 10:14 | How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher? | Romans 10:14 (The need for proclaimers) |
| John 8:31-32 | So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth shall set you free." | John 8:31-32 (Truth and discipleship) |
| Luke 1:1-4 | Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. | Luke 1:1-4 (The importance of accurate testimony) |
| 1 Peter 4:11 | Whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in all things may God be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. | 1 Peter 4:11 (Speaking God's oracles) |
| Matthew 28:19-20 | Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." | Matthew 28:19-20 (The Great Commission) |
| Romans 3:23-24 | for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. | Romans 3:23-24 (The need for a message of salvation) |
| 2 Corinthians 5:20 | Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. | 2 Corinthians 5:20 (Ambassadors for Christ) |
| Acts 4:20 | for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard." | Acts 4:20 (Apostles compelled to speak) |
| 1 Timothy 3:1-7 | The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Now an overseer must be above reproach... | 1 Timothy 3:1-7 (Qualifications for leadership, related to speaking truth) |
| Philippians 2:15 | ...that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life. | Philippians 2:15 (Shining as lights in a crooked generation) |
Ezekiel 3 verses
Ezekiel 3 17 Meaning
The Lord establishes Ezekiel as a watchman for the house of Israel, tasked with hearing God's word and delivering His warnings. This verse signifies the weighty responsibility placed upon the prophet to communicate God's message, distinguishing between what is true and what is false for the people. It highlights the critical function of a prophet: to convey divine truth and to call the people to account.
Ezekiel 3 17 Context
Chapter 3 of Ezekiel begins with God commissioning Ezekiel, feeding him the scroll containing God's message of judgment. This act symbolizes internalizing and accepting God's word. Ezekiel's primary role is to be a prophet to Israel, specifically the exiles in Babylon. The surrounding verses detail the spiritual blindness and rebellion of the Israelites, necessitating the prophet's crucial task. The historical context is the Babylonian exile, a time of national crisis where God's people were distanced from their land and Temple, emphasizing their need for divine communication and repentance.
Ezekiel 3 17 Word Analysis
"Son of man" (Hebrew: ben adam): A recurring phrase used by God to address Ezekiel, emphasizing his humanity and his position as a representative of humanity before God, or as God's messenger to humanity. This term connects Ezekiel to the broader human condition, grounding his prophetic task.
"I have made you" (Hebrew: nethatkha): Indicates a divine appointment or installation. It's not a natural selection but a purposeful commissioning by God Himself.
"a watchman" (Hebrew: tsaphah): Denotes a sentinel, someone on duty to observe and give warning. This implies vigilance, alertness, and the duty to alert others to danger. The imagery is from military or city guard posts.
"for the house of Israel": Specifies the intended audience of Ezekiel's prophetic ministry. The "house of Israel" refers collectively to the descendants of Jacob, specifically the northern kingdom at this time, but by extension, the entire people of God.
"so hear the word from my mouth" (Hebrew: ve-shamata me-fi dabari): Commands obedience and attention. It signifies that Ezekiel must actively receive God's message directly. "My mouth" emphasizes the divine source and authority of the words.
"and give them warning from me": Stresses the origin and accountability of the message. The warnings originate from God and are delivered by Ezekiel on God's behalf. The message is not his own opinion.
Theological Role: The phrase "I have made you a watchman" establishes Ezekiel's ordained purpose. This role is defined by reception ("hear the word") and transmission ("give them warning").
Responsibility and Accountability: The watchman's function implies direct responsibility for those within the "watch." Failure to warn has severe consequences, as seen in subsequent verses.
Divine Authority: The reiteration "from my mouth" and "from me" underscores that Ezekiel is merely a conduit for God's pronouncements, not an originator of doctrine or prophecy.
Ezekiel 3 17 Bonus Section
The watchman metaphor is consistent throughout scripture, depicting individuals tasked with safeguarding and alerting the community to impending danger, whether physical or spiritual. Ezekiel's role here is a prototype for later spiritual leaders and evangelists who must sound the alarm of sin and judgment, but also offer the message of God's grace and redemption when applicable. The understanding of the "house of Israel" includes not only the physical descendants but also the spiritual Israel in the New Testament era, making the prophetic call relevant to believers today in warning and edifying the Church.
Ezekiel 3 17 Commentary
Ezekiel is divinely appointed as a watchman for Israel. His duty is twofold: to diligently listen to and internalize God's message ("hear the word from my mouth") and to faithfully relay God's warnings to the people ("give them warning from me"). This task highlights the prophet's vital role as an intermediary, holding immense responsibility for conveying divine truth, particularly messages of judgment and accountability, to the chosen people. His faithfulness in this commission determines not only his own standing but also the spiritual condition and fate of those he warns. The concept of a spiritual watchman extends to all who are called to speak God's truth to their generation, a charge requiring attentiveness to God's voice and courage in proclaiming His Word, regardless of popular reception.