Ezekiel 3:27

Translations

Modern

But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you are to tell them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says.’ Whoever listens, let him listen; and whoever refuses, let him refuse, for they are a rebellious house.

Traditional

But when I speak with thee, I will open thy mouth, and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; He that heareth, let him hear; and he that forbeareth, let him forbear: for they are a rebellious house.

Literal

And in My speaking with you, I will open your mouth, then you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord YHWH!’—The one hearing, let him hear, and the one refusing, let him refuse. For they are a house of rebellion.

Latin

Cum autem locutus fuero tibi, aperiam os tuum, et dices ad eos: Hæc dicit Dominus Deus: Qui audit, audiat, et qui quiescit, quiescat: quia domus exasperans est.

Original

Hebrew

English

But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you are to tell them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says.’ Whoever listens, let him listen; and whoever refuses, let him refuse, for they are a rebellious house.

Notes

Ezekiel 3:26–27

God also controlled Ezekiel’s speech. It was as if his tongue were bound to the roof of his mouth. He could speak only when God allowed him to speak words of judgment.

Ezekiel was not physically unable to talk. However, God limited what he could say. He could announce only the message of disaster that God gave him. He was not allowed to speak anything else.

This made Ezekiel’s role different from that of most prophets. Many prophets could pray for the people and speak to God on their behalf. Ezekiel could not do this because the time for dialogue between God and his people had ended. No further appeal could stop the coming judgment.

His speech would remain restricted until news arrived that Jerusalem had fallen (Ezekiel 24:27). After God’s judgment was complete, Ezekiel’s tongue would be freed. Then he would again be able to speak for the people.

Ezekiel 1:1–3:27

Old Testament prophetic books often begin with a “call narrative.” A call narrative describes how God chose and sent a prophet to serve in this role (for example, Jeremiah 1:4–19).

This account showed that the prophet’s message was legitimate. It made clear that the prophet spoke as the Lord’s ambassador (a representative sent with authority). The call narrative also introduced important themes that the book would explain more fully later.

In Ezekiel, the call narrative focuses on the Lord’s coming judgment on his people.

Events

Prophecies of Ezekielc. 593 BC

Related verses

Ezekiel 12:2–3
“Son of man, you are living in a rebellious house. They have eyes to see but do not see, and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious house.
Ezekiel 24:27
On that day your mouth will be opened to him who has escaped; you will speak and no longer be mute. So you will be a sign to them, and they will know that I am the LORD.”
Ezekiel 3:11
Go to your people, the exiles; speak to them and tell them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says,’ whether they listen or refuse to listen.”
Ezekiel 29:21
In that day I will cause a horn to sprout for the house of Israel, and I will open your mouth to speak among them. Then they will know that I am the LORD.”
Ephesians 6:19
Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will boldly make known the mystery of the gospel,
Matthew 11:15
He who has ears, let him hear.
Ezekiel 3:26
I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth, and you will be silent and unable to rebuke them, though they are a rebellious house.
Ezekiel 11:25
I told the exiles everything the LORD had shown me.
Ezekiel 33:22
Now the evening before the fugitive arrived, the hand of the LORD was upon me, and He opened my mouth before the man came to me in the morning. So my mouth was opened and I was no longer mute.
Ezekiel 3:9
I will make your forehead like a diamond, harder than flint. Do not be afraid of them or dismayed at their presence, even though they are a rebellious house.”
Ezekiel 2:5
And whether they listen or refuse to listen—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them.
Ezekiel 33:32
Indeed, you are to them like a singer of love songs with a beautiful voice, who skillfully plays an instrument. They hear your words but do not put them into practice.

People

LORD: Names or title used to refer to God

Glossary

Ezekiel, Book of Prophet, Prophetess

Topics

Christian Minister: Duties of Prophets: Inspiration of Symbols and Similitudes: Being Mute The Inspiration of the Holy Spirit: Design of To Direct Ministers

Ezekiel 3:27

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Events?

Related verses?