Ezekiel 33 2

Ezekiel 33:2 kjv

Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman:

Ezekiel 33:2 nkjv

"Son of man, speak to the children of your people, and say to them: 'When I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from their territory and make him their watchman,

Ezekiel 33:2 niv

"Son of man, speak to your people and say to them: 'When I bring the sword against a land, and the people of the land choose one of their men and make him their watchman,

Ezekiel 33:2 esv

"Son of man, speak to your people and say to them, If I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from among them, and make him their watchman,

Ezekiel 33:2 nlt

"Son of man, give your people this message: 'When I bring an army against a country, the people of that land choose one of their own to be a watchman.

Ezekiel 33 verses

Ezekiel 33 2 Meaning

Ezekiel 33:2 addresses the responsibility of a watchman appointed over a people. The watchman is commanded to use a trumpet to warn the people when danger approaches. If the watchman fails to blow the trumpet when the sword comes upon the land, and the people are not warned, and a life is lost due to this neglect, the blood of that person will be required of the watchman. This verse establishes a clear principle of accountability for leadership in protecting and warning the community.

Ezekiel 33 2 Context

This verse is part of Ezekiel's prophetic ministry to the exiled community in Babylon. Chapters 33-39 emphasize God's sovereign power and His intention to restore His people and judge His enemies. Chapter 33 specifically addresses the responsibility of the prophet (and by extension, all spiritual leaders) as a watchman. It follows the judgment against Israel for their sins and precedes the prophecies of future restoration. Historically, a watchman on the city walls was a vital role, responsible for early detection of approaching danger, whether enemy armies or other threats, and sounding an alarm. The blowing of a trumpet was the universally understood signal for warning and mobilization.

Ezekiel 33 2 Word Analysis

• And the word of the LORD came to me (וַיְהִי דְּבַר־יְהוָה אֵלַי׃, wayəhî ḏəḇār-yəhôwāh ’ēlay):

  • וַיְהִי (wayəhî): "And it came to pass," "and it was." A common narrative opening indicating the continuation of God's communication.
  • דְּבַר (ḏəḇār): "word," "thing," "matter." Refers to God's direct message.
  • יְהוָה (yəhôwāh): The personal covenant name of God (Yahweh). Emphasizes the divine source of the message.
  • אֵלַי (’ēlay): "to me." Indicates the personal reception of the message by Ezekiel.

• Son of man (בֶּן־אָדָם, ben-’āḏām): A standard title given to Ezekiel by God. It emphasizes his humanity in contrast to God's divinity, reminding him of his role as a human messenger.

• say to them (דַּבֵּר אֲלֵהֶם, dabbēr ’ălêhem): A direct command to speak the divine message. "Speak" is dabar, also meaning "word," highlighting the function of speaking God's word.

• When I bring (כִּי־אָבִיא, kî-’āḇî): "When" or "If." Conditional statement introducing the potential for God to bring judgment.

  • אָבִיא (’āḇî): "I will bring." Future tense, indicating divine action and judgment.

• a sword (חֶרֶב, ḥereḇ): A common metaphor for war, conquest, and divine judgment. Represents military conflict and its devastating effects.

• upon a land (אֶל־אֶרֶץ, ’el-’ereṣ): Refers to the land of Israel, though applicable to any nation facing divine judgment.

• and the people of the land (וְקְטֹרִי־אָרֶץ, wəqəṭōrî-’āreṣ): The populace of the land. "Qtori" (qəṭorî) might suggest those gathered or appointed from the land.

• take a watchman (יִקַּח מִקְּצוֹתָיו, yiqqaḥ miqəṣōtāyw): "take from its corners/boundaries" or "appoint one of their own." The LXX translates this differently, suggesting "appoint from its people." It implies selection from among the populace for a specific duty.

• from among them (מִתּוֹךְ, mi-ttôḵ): Indicating that the watchman is chosen from within the community.

• and appoint him (וְנָתַן, wənāṯan): "and give him" or "appoint him." Implies a formal assignment of responsibility.

• for a watchman (לְצֹפֶה, lĕṣōp̄ē): "to be a watcher" or "lookout." The root tsph implies watching, observing, and expecting.

• If (אִם־, ’im): Introduces a hypothetical scenario regarding the watchman's actions.

• When he sees (רָאָה, rā’â): Refers to the act of seeing, observing, or perceiving.

• the sword coming (בָּאָה, bā’â): Present participle, indicating an ongoing or imminent approach.

• and does not blow (וְלֹא־תָקַע, wə-lō’-ṯāqa): "and does not blow." The decisive action of failing to give the warning signal.

  • תָּקַע (ṯāqa): To blow, blast (a trumpet). A deliberate and audible action.

• the trumpet (בַּשּׁוֹפָר, baššôp̄ār): The specific instrument used for alarm. A shofar (ram's horn) or a trumpet.

• and the sword (וְהַחֶרֶב, wə-haḥereḇ): Referring back to the coming judgment.

• takes any person (תִּקַּח־נֶפֶשׁ, tiqqaḥ-nepeš): "takes a life."

  • נֶפֶשׁ (nepeš): "soul," "life," "person." Refers to an individual human being.

• off from the land (מִן־הָאָרֶץ, min-hā’āreṣ): Taken away from the community.

• and he was taken away (וְהוּא־לָקַח, wə-hû’-lāqūaḥ): He was taken away, implying death. Passive voice.

• in his iniquity (בְּעָווֹנוֹ, bə‘āwōnô): "because of his iniquity" or "while still in his sin." Emphasizes that the person died unrepentant.

• but his blood (וְדָמוֹ, wə-ḏāmô): "and his blood." Represents his life, now spilled.

• I will require (אָשִׁיב, ’āšîḇ): "I will require," "I will demand," "I will repay." God holds the watchman accountable.

• at the hand of the watchman (מִיַּד הַצֹּפֶה, mi-yaḏ haṣṣōp̄ē): From the watchman's hand; transferred responsibility.

• group analysis: The passage establishes a covenant responsibility. God's coming judgment (sword) necessitates a specific response from a designated leader (watchman). The watchman's duty is to signal (trumpet). Failure in this duty, resulting in loss of life (a person taken in iniquity), leads to divine accountability for the watchman's negligence, including the spilled blood. The connection between seeing, sounding the alarm, and the consequence of inaction highlights a clear chain of responsibility and its severe implications.

Ezekiel 33 2 Bonus Section

This concept of a spiritual watchman is not isolated to Ezekiel. The imagery echoes earlier warnings and later apostolic instruction. The watchman's role requires discernment (seeing the sword) and decisive action (blowing the trumpet). It highlights the proactive nature required in spiritual leadership rather than a passive existence. The phrase "his blood I will require at your hand" is a stark reminder of the severe implications of neglecting covenant responsibilities, emphasizing that spiritual stewardship is a matter of life and death in God's economy. The ultimate accountability rests with God Himself, who delegates responsibility and judges faithfulness.

Ezekiel 33 2 Commentary

Ezekiel 33:2 paints a vivid picture of prophetic and leadership accountability. God appoints a watchman to survey the land, symbolizing vigilance for the spiritual well-being of His people. When the threat of judgment or destruction (the "sword") is perceived, the watchman's essential duty is to sound a clear and immediate alarm (the trumpet). The consequences of failure are severe: if the warning is not given and a life is lost in sin, the blood of that individual will be demanded from the watchman. This passage underscores that spiritual leaders are stewards entrusted with vital information and the responsibility to communicate it faithfully for the preservation of the community. The effectiveness of the warning lies not just in its sounding but in the people's subsequent response, yet the watchman's part is crucial.

• Practical Application: Leaders today must be attentive to spiritual dangers and communicate truth faithfully, even when it's unpopular or difficult, for the protection of those under their care. Neglecting to speak truth that might avert spiritual harm can have dire consequences for leadership's own standing.