Ezekiel 33:33 kjv
And when this cometh to pass, (lo, it will come,) then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them.
Ezekiel 33:33 nkjv
And when this comes to pass?surely it will come?then they will know that a prophet has been among them."
Ezekiel 33:33 niv
"When all this comes true?and it surely will?then they will know that a prophet has been among them."
Ezekiel 33:33 esv
When this comes ? and come it will! ? then they will know that a prophet has been among them."
Ezekiel 33:33 nlt
But when all these terrible things happen to them ? as they certainly will ? then they will know a prophet has been among them."
Ezekiel 33 33 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel 33:33 | "And when this comes, behold, it will come to pass, then they will know that a prophet has been among them." | Prophet's message confirmed by fulfillment |
| Jeremiah 1:12 | "Then the LORD said to me, 'You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it.'" | God watches over His word |
| Isaiah 55:11 | "so shall my word that goes out from my mouth not return to me vacío, but it shall accomplish that which I intend and make the thing for which I sent it." | God's word accomplishes His purpose |
| Matthew 24:35 | "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away." | Christ's words endure |
| John 10:35 | "...and Scripture cannot be broken..." | Scripture's immutability |
| 2 Timothy 3:16 | "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness," | Divine inspiration of Scripture |
| 1 Samuel 3:19 | "And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground." | Samuel's word was not nullified |
| 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; the prophet has spoken it rashly. You shall not fear him." | Sign of false prophet |
| Deuteronomy 18:21 | "And if you say in your heart, 'How shall we know the word that the LORD has not spoken?'—" | Questioning true prophecy |
| Romans 1:2 | "...which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures," | Old Testament prophecies |
| Romans 15:4 | "For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." | Scripture for instruction and hope |
| Acts 1:16 | "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas..." | Fulfillment of prophetic word |
| Acts 2:22-24 | "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know—this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men." | Jesus' ministry validated by God |
| Hebrews 1:1 | "Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke in times past to our fathers by the prophets," | God spoke through prophets |
| Hebrews 13:8 | "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." | Unchanging nature of Christ |
| Revelation 19:10 | "...for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." | Testimony of Jesus in prophecy |
| Genesis 49:1 | "Then Jacob called his sons and said, “Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you what shall happen to you in the days to come." | Patriarchal prophecy |
| Numbers 23:19 | "God is not a man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not make it good?" | God's faithfulness to His word |
| Psalm 138:2 | "I will bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word." | God's faithfulness to His word |
| Matthew 5:18 | "For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished." | Nothing passes from the Law |
| Acts 3:21 | "...whom heaven must receive until the time for the restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago." | Restoration of all things |
Ezekiel 33 verses
Ezekiel 33 33 Meaning
When the word of God, through His prophet, fully comes to pass, then it will be known that a prophet truly stood among them. The prophet's message, when realized, serves as divine confirmation, revealing the authenticity of the messenger and the truth of God's pronouncements. It signifies the ultimate fulfillment of God's word and its authority.
Ezekiel 33 33 Context
This verse concludes the message delivered by Ezekiel to the people of Israel who were in exile. In the preceding verses, God had declared His judgment upon the unfaithful leaders of Israel, likening them to shepherds who devoured the flock instead of caring for it. Ezekiel then speaks as God's watchman, highlighting the coming destruction and the ultimate scattering of the people due to their sins. However, the chapter then pivots to God's promise of restoration, where He will seek out His lost sheep, gather them, and provide them good pasture. The verse 33 serves as a climactic statement: when these pronouncements, both of judgment and of restoration, are finally fulfilled in history, the people will definitively recognize that they had a true prophet among them. This recognition is not merely academic; it carries the weight of divine affirmation and accountability. The context moves from warning and impending doom to future hope and the conclusive evidence of divine revelation through a prophet.
Ezekiel 33 33 Word Analysis
- "And": Conjunction connecting this final statement to the preceding pronouncements of judgment and future restoration.
- "when": Indicates a future condition or time. The emphasis is on the eventual happening of the prophetic word.
- "this": Refers collectively to the word of God that has been spoken through Ezekiel – both the immediate pronouncements of judgment and the ultimate promises of restoration.
- "comes": The arrival or realization of the foretold events. It signifies fulfillment.
- "behold": An interjection commanding attention, emphasizing that what follows is significant and noteworthy. It draws the listener's gaze to the impending fulfillment.
- "it will come to pass": This phrase underscores the certainty of God's word. It's a statement of inevitable execution.
- "then": Establishes a sequence of events – the realization of God's word precedes the recognition of the prophet.
- "they": Refers to the people of Israel who have heard Ezekiel's prophecy, particularly those in exile.
- "will know": Indicates future knowledge or recognition. This knowing is not just intellectual but experiential – a deep understanding based on fulfilled reality.
- "that": Introduces the content of their future knowledge.
- "a prophet": Refers to Ezekiel himself, but by extension, signifies any true messenger of God.
- "has been": Emphasizes the past reality of the prophet's presence, now confirmed by subsequent events.
- "among": Signifies presence within their community or amidst their history.
- "them": Refers back to the people of Israel.
Group analysis:
- "And when this comes, behold, it will come to pass": This emphasizes the inevitable fulfillment of God's word. The "behold" acts as a powerful pause, drawing attention to the momentous occasion of divine prophecy becoming historical reality. It's the irrefutable evidence that God's word is not empty talk but active power.
- "then they will know that a prophet has been among them": This links the proof of prophecy to the presence of a true prophet. The certainty of fulfilled prophecy confirms the authenticity of the messenger. The people's understanding matures from doubt or ignorance to definitive recognition, a recognition earned by God's demonstrated faithfulness to His word.
Ezekiel 33 33 Bonus Section
The concept of "knowing" here extends beyond mere intellectual acknowledgment; it implies an experiential understanding born from witnessing the undeniable outworking of God's prophetic plan. It’s the same principle that underpins faith – trusting in what God has said, knowing it will ultimately be proven true. This final verse underscores that while prophets may suffer rejection or disbelief during their ministry, the eventual fulfillment of their message serves as an ultimate vindication from God Himself. This provides assurance to believers throughout history that God's promises are trustworthy, even when circumstances seem to contradict them. The passage implies a historical narrative where divine messages are sown, tested by time and trial, and finally, in their fulfillment, reveal the character and power of the divine speaker.
Ezekiel 33 33 Commentary
Ezekiel's final statement serves as a testament to the power and certainty of God's spoken word. When all the pronouncements, whether of judgment against sin or promises of future restoration, are fully realized in history, there will be no doubt. The people will recognize that they were not abandoned to falsehood, but that a genuine mouthpiece of God walked among them. This highlights that true prophecy isn't just spoken; it is ultimately validated by its fulfillment, and that fulfillment is God's signature, attesting to His messengers and His divine plan. The recognition is an acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and His active engagement with His people, confirming that His Word always accomplishes its intended purpose.