Ezekiel 3 4

Ezekiel 3:4 kjv

And he said unto me, Son of man, go, get thee unto the house of Israel, and speak with my words unto them.

Ezekiel 3:4 nkjv

Then He said to me: "Son of man, go to the house of Israel and speak with My words to them.

Ezekiel 3:4 niv

He then said to me: "Son of man, go now to the people of Israel and speak my words to them.

Ezekiel 3:4 esv

And he said to me, "Son of man, go to the house of Israel and speak with my words to them.

Ezekiel 3:4 nlt

Then he said, "Son of man, go to the people of Israel and give them my messages.

Ezekiel 3 verses

Ezekiel 3 4 Meaning

God commands Ezekiel, His prophet, to physically go to the covenant people of Israel and verbally proclaim to them the messages originating directly from God Himself. This verse outlines Ezekiel's specific audience and establishes the divine source and authority of his prophetic words.

Ezekiel 3 4 Context

Ezekiel 3:4 immediately follows a profound commissioning sequence where Ezekiel receives his prophetic mandate from God. In Chapter 1, Ezekiel witnesses a magnificent vision of God's glory and cherubim, establishing God's sovereignty and presence even in exile. In Chapter 2, God directly addresses Ezekiel, designating him as "son of man" and sending him to the rebellious house of Israel. Most critically, Ezekiel 3:1-3 describes Ezekiel's symbolic act of eating a scroll filled with lamentations, mourning, and woe. This act signifies the internalization of God's difficult and burdensome message before its proclamation. Therefore, verse 4 functions as the precise instruction that completes this call, specifying his direct action: where he must go, and what he must deliver, solidifying his role as God's chosen messenger to His exiled and disobedient people.

Historically, Ezekiel is ministering during the Babylonian exile, specifically to the first wave of exiles (dating from 597 BC) dwelling by the Chebar Canal. The people are experiencing disillusionment, some holding false hopes of a quick return to Jerusalem, while others are in despair or steeped in idolatry. They are a hard-hearted people who have largely turned away from God's covenant. God’s sending Ezekiel with "My words" is His continuous attempt to communicate His righteous judgment, the reasons for their exile, and His ultimate plans for restoration.

Ezekiel 3 4 Word analysis

• He said: This refers to the sovereign Lord, initiating a direct and authoritative command to Ezekiel. It signifies that the instructions are divinely sourced, not a product of human initiative or desire.

• to me: This highlights Ezekiel, the individual prophet, as the specific and direct recipient of the divine instruction. It personalizes the divine call and assignment.

• Son of man (בֶּן־אָדָם, ben-ādām): A frequently used title for Ezekiel (93 times in the book), emphasizing his humanity, mortality, and frailty in contrast to the glorious, transcendent God. It humbles him, preparing him for the resistance he will face, while also connecting him as a representative of the very people he is sent to address. The same phrase in Daniel 7:13 takes on a Messianic significance, showcasing its diverse usage in scripture.

• go (לֵךְ, lēḵ): An imperative verb, commanding physical action and direct engagement. It denotes a call to active service and movement, emphasizing that Ezekiel must physically place himself among the exiles to deliver the message, rather than speaking from a distance.

• to the house of Israel: This specifies the designated audience—God’s covenant people. In Ezekiel’s time, this refers primarily to the Jewish exiles in Babylon and by extension, the entire dispersed and covenant-breaking nation, including those still in Judah. It underlines God's consistent concern for His people, despite their disobedience and current state of judgment.

• and speak (וְדַבַּרְתָּ, veḏabbartā): An imperative command for verbal proclamation, often from the intensive (Piel) stem, signifying authoritative declaration, not just casual talking. It emphasizes the direct and unambiguous delivery of the message, without reservation or compromise. Ezekiel is to proclaim forthrightly.

• My words (דְּבָרָ֑י, devārāy): This critical phrase establishes the absolute divine origin and content of the prophetic message. Ezekiel is explicitly commissioned as a mouthpiece, conveying only what God has given him. This underscores the authority, truth, and power inherent in the message, as it is God's own voice and revelation.

• He said to me, 'Son of man': This opening address underscores the intimate yet authoritative nature of God's communication with His chosen prophet. The recurring title "Son of man" serves to both ground Ezekiel's human perspective among those he serves and elevate him as the divinely appointed, unique recipient of this profound prophetic call.

• go to the house of Israel and speak: This phrase encapsulates the core mission and responsibility. It combines active movement ("go") with the specific target ("the house of Israel") and the direct action ("speak"), clearly defining Ezekiel’s prophetic function and his divine mandate to communicate face-to-face with God's people.

• speak My words to them: This defines the exclusive content and source of Ezekiel's prophecy. It strictly limits his message to that which God has ordained, highlighting the role of the prophet as a faithful conduit, ensuring the integrity and authority of the divine message as it is delivered to a hardened audience.

Ezekiel 3 4 Bonus section

• The emphasis on "My words" throughout Ezekiel 3:4-7 acts as a foundational principle for prophetic ministry, strongly refuting any idea that prophets speak from their own mind or invent messages. It counters false prophets of the time who spoke pleasant but deceitful words from their own imagination.
• The immediate challenge for Ezekiel after this command, highlighted in subsequent verses, is not merely to speak but to deal with the people's expected lack of reception. The instruction here arms him with divine authority for that anticipated resistance.
• The phrase "go to them" also implies a level of immersion. Ezekiel, already in exile with them, isn't journeying from a distant land but is commanded to fully engage and deliver God's words to his immediate community.

Ezekiel 3 4 Commentary

Ezekiel 3:4 is the explicit directional mandate following Ezekiel’s internal preparation to receive God's message. Having symbolically ingested the scroll, the prophet is now directed to externalize the divine word. The command to "go" signifies immediate obedience and a commitment to personal engagement with the target audience—"the house of Israel," which, despite their rebellion and exile, remains God's chosen people. This reveals God's persistent grace and commitment to communicate with them, even amidst judgment. Crucially, Ezekiel is to "speak My words," emphasizing that he is a messenger, not an originator. His authority, content, and the very power of his prophecy are derived entirely from God. This directive ensures that the message, whether of judgment or future restoration, carries divine truth and unchallengeable authority, preparing both prophet and people for a difficult yet ultimately purposeful encounter with God's will. It underlines that authentic prophetic ministry is always God-centered and God-sourced.