Ezekiel 3 9

Ezekiel 3:9 kjv

As an adamant harder than flint have I made thy forehead: fear them not, neither be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.

Ezekiel 3:9 nkjv

Like adamant stone, harder than flint, I have made your forehead; do not be afraid of them, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they are a rebellious house."

Ezekiel 3:9 niv

I will make your forehead like the hardest stone, harder than flint. Do not be afraid of them or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious people."

Ezekiel 3:9 esv

Like emery harder than flint have I made your forehead. Fear them not, nor be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house."

Ezekiel 3:9 nlt

I have made your forehead as hard as the hardest rock! So don't be afraid of them or fear their angry looks, even though they are rebels."

Ezekiel 3 verses

Ezekiel 3 9 Meaning

Ezekiel 3:9 conveys a divine equipping of the prophet Ezekiel with unwavering resolve and supernatural strength, empowering him to confront the exceptionally stubborn and rebellious house of Israel without fear or discouragement. God declares that He has made Ezekiel's resolve, symbolized by his forehead, as hard and unyielding as the strongest known minerals, harder than flint and like adamant (diamond). This divine empowerment is necessary because the people Ezekiel is sent to are characterized as a "rebellious house," implying profound resistance to God's word. The verse assures Ezekiel of protection and firmness against their formidable opposition, commanding him not to be afraid or dismayed by their defiant countenances.

Ezekiel 3 9 Context

Ezekiel 3:9 is situated early in Ezekiel's prophetic commission. Chapter 2 details his initial calling, where God reveals the challenging nature of his mission: he is sent to the "rebellious house" of Israel, who are hard-hearted and will resist his message. Chapter 3 begins with Ezekiel consuming the scroll, signifying internalizing God's word, and then focuses on God's preparations for Ezekiel to deliver this difficult message. Before commanding Ezekiel to speak to the exiles, God physically and spiritually prepares him to face their profound obstinacy. The verse thus addresses the prophet's innate human frailty and provides divine assurance and fortitude for the immense spiritual warfare ahead. Historically, the audience consisted of Jewish exiles in Babylon who, despite their dire circumstances, remained stubbornly resistant to God's message delivered through His prophets. They likely preferred messages of imminent restoration or blamed God, not their sin, for their exile. Ezekiel's task was to deliver messages of judgment and continued punishment for their sins, alongside eventual hope, a message unwelcome to many.

Ezekiel 3 9 Word analysis

• Like adamant (כְּשָׁמִיר, k’shamir): "Adamant" here refers to shamir, often translated as diamond or a very hard, pointed stone capable of cutting other stones. In biblical and ancient Near Eastern contexts, it denoted an exceptionally tough, unbreakable material, used for engraving or piercing. Its significance is total unyieldingness.
• harder than flint (קָשֶׁה מִצּוּר, qasheh mittsur): "Flint" (tzor) is a very hard rock known for its sharpness when fractured. The phrase "harder than flint" emphasizes the unparalleled firmness and resilience that God imbues in Ezekiel, surpassing even a commonly recognized tough material. This indicates an impenetrable spiritual resolve.
• I have made your forehead (נָתַתִּי מִצְחֶךָ, nathatti mitzcheka): The "forehead" (mitzach) in biblical idiom often symbolizes boldness, defiance, shame, or stubbornness (e.g., Jer 3:3; Isa 48:4). Here, God is supernaturally endowing Ezekiel's spirit and will with the attributes of adamant. It signifies God enabling Ezekiel to exhibit divine, unyielding firmness in the face of human resistance. This isn't Ezekiel's natural character but God's gift.
• do not fear them (לֹא תִירָא, lo tira): A direct divine command, common in prophetic calls. This negates human instinctual fear in the face of daunting opposition, reinforcing divine protection and presence. Fear would incapacitate the prophet and diminish the message.
• nor be dismayed (וְלֹא תֵחַת, v’lo techath): From the root chathath, meaning to be broken, shattered, or disheartened. This commands Ezekiel not to be intimidated or disheartened by their expressions of anger, contempt, or rebellion. Their "looks" (from mip'neyhem, from their faces/presence) could be those of scorn, hatred, or dismissiveness, designed to break the prophet's spirit.
• at their looks (מִפְּנֵיהֶם, mip’neyhem): Refers to the physical demeanor, expressions, or general intimidating presence of the rebellious people. Ezekiel must not be affected or cowed by their hardened faces or their scornful stares.
• though they are a rebellious house (כִּי בֵּית מְרִי הֵמָּה, ki beith meri hemah): This phrase explains the necessity of the divine hardening. "Rebellious house" is a recurring descriptor for Israel in Ezekiel (e.g., 2:5, 2:6, 2:8, 12:2, 12:3), highlighting their persistent and inherent insubordination against God's commands and messengers.

Ezekiel 3 9 Bonus section

The repeated use of "rebellious house" throughout Ezekiel (especially early on) emphasizes the central challenge the prophet faced. This verse underscores the sovereignty of God, who not only issues the command but also provides the means for its execution. The divine act of making Ezekiel's forehead "like adamant" implies that God changes Ezekiel at a deep spiritual level, bestowing an inner fortitude that is supernatural. It contrasts sharply with the "foreheads" or hearts of the Israelites which were also hard, but in rebellion against God (Isa 48:4). Ezekiel's divinely hardened forehead represents unwavering devotion and commitment to the truth, irrespective of the consequences or popular opinion. This is a call to stand in unyielding fidelity to God's word.

Ezekiel 3 9 Commentary

Ezekiel 3:9 powerfully illustrates God's proactive preparation and empowerment of His chosen messenger. Understanding the nature of the prophet's daunting task – to deliver an unwelcome word to an incredibly resistant people – highlights the crucial necessity of God's intervention. Ezekiel, as a human, would naturally shrink from such a challenge. God, however, makes Ezekiel's spiritual "forehead" impenetrable, not through human willpower alone, but by a divine act, making him immune to intimidation and disheartening opposition. This equipping is specifically calibrated to the degree of the people's rebellion, symbolized by "adamant" and "flint," ensuring the prophet is tougher than the hardest hearts he faces. This passage is a timeless assurance that when God calls someone to a task, He supernaturally equips them for it, enabling them to stand firm against even the most hardened resistance, and to fulfill His purpose without fear or dismay. It emphasizes that divine calling comes with divine enablement.Examples: A preacher facing hostility from culture; a believer standing firm in their faith amidst mockery; a Christian parent patiently discipling a wayward child.