King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Therefore prophesy against them, prophesy, O son of man.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Therefore prophesy against them, human being, prophesy!"
Berean Standard Bible:
Therefore prophesy against them; prophesy, O son of man!”
American Standard Version:
Therefore prophesy against them, prophesy, O son of man.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Therefore prophesy{H5012} against them, prophesy{H5012}, O son{H1121} of man{H120}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Ezekiel 20:46
- Son of man, set thy face toward the south, and drop [thy word] toward the south, and prophesy against the forest of the south field;
Ezekiel 20:47
- And say to the forest of the south, Hear the word of the LORD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burned therein.
Ezekiel 3:17
- Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.
Ezekiel 3:21
- Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous [man], that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.
Isaiah 58:1
- ¶ Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.
Hosea 8:1
- ¶ [Set] the trumpet to thy mouth. [He shall come] as an eagle against the house of the LORD, because they have transgressed my covenant, and trespassed against my law.
Ezekiel 3:2
- So I opened my mouth, and he caused me to eat that roll.
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Commentary for Ezekiel 11:4
Ezekiel 11:4 is a part of a larger prophetic discourse given by the prophet Ezekiel, who was active during the Babylonian exile of the Israelites in the 6th century BCE. The verse itself is a command from God to Ezekiel to continue prophesying against the people, specifically a group of leaders in Jerusalem who were advocating for idolatry and injustice. These leaders are described in the surrounding verses as those who devise iniquity and give wicked counsel in the city.
The historical context of this verse is set against the backdrop of the impending fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians, which occurred in 586 BCE. Ezekiel, who was among the exiles in Babylon, received visions and messages from God concerning the fate of Jerusalem and the reasons for its downfall. The themes of Ezekiel 11:4 include divine judgment, the importance of prophetic witness, and the call for repentance.
In this verse, God is emphasizing the role of Ezekiel as a prophet ("son of man," a phrase often used by God to address Ezekiel) to speak truth to power, even when the message is unpopular or likely to be ignored. The command to "prophesy against them" underscores the prophet's duty to confront the corrupt leaders and to forewarn them of the consequences of their actions. This reflects the broader biblical theme of prophets as God's mouthpieces, charged with calling the people of Israel back to covenant faithfulness and warning them of the dangers of apostasy.
Ezekiel's message was not only a warning of imminent destruction due to the people's disobedience but also a call to turn back to God, with the hope of restoration and renewal. The verse thus captures the tension between judgment and mercy that characterizes much of biblical prophecy, and it highlights the urgency of Ezekiel's mission to a wayward people.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H5012
There are 102 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָבָא
Transliteration: nâbâʼ
Pronunciation: naw-baw'
Description: a primitive root; to prophesy, i.e. speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse); prophesy(-ing), make self a prophet. - Strong's Number: H1121
There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בֵּן
Transliteration: bên
Pronunciation: bane
Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. - Strong's Number: H120
There are 581 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָדָם
Transliteration: ʼâdâm
Pronunciation: aw-dawm'
Description: from אָדַם; ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.); [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low, man (mean, of low degree), person.