Ezekiel 11:13

And it came to pass, when I prophesied, that Pelatiah the son of Benaiah died. Then fell I down upon my face, and cried with a loud voice, and said, Ah Lord GOD! wilt thou make a full end of the remnant of Israel?

And it came to pass, when I prophesied {H5012}, that Pelatiah {H6410} the son {H1121} of Benaiah {H1141} died {H4191}. Then fell I down {H5307} upon my face {H6440}, and cried {H2199} with a loud {H1419} voice {H6963}, and said {H559}, Ah {H162} Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}! wilt thou make {H6213} a full end {H3617} of the remnant {H7611} of Israel {H3478}?

As I was prophesying, P'latyahu the son of B'nayah died. I fell down on my face and cried out, "Oh, Adonai ELOHIM! Are you going to destroy completely those of Isra'el who are left?"

Now as I was prophesying, Pelatiah son of Benaiah died. Then I fell facedown and cried out in a loud voice, “Oh, Lord GOD, will You bring the remnant of Israel to a complete end?”

And it came to pass, when I prophesied, that Pelatiah the son of Benaiah died. Then fell I down upon my face, and cried with a loud voice, and said, Ah Lord Jehovah! wilt thou make a full end of the remnant of Israel?

Context

Ezekiel 11:13 occurs within a powerful vision given to the prophet Ezekiel while he was among the exiles in Babylon. In this vision, God reveals the impending and certain judgment upon the wicked leaders and inhabitants of Jerusalem, particularly those who remained in the city and believed themselves secure from the Babylonian threat. The preceding verses detail God's pronouncement of judgment, stating that those who dwell in Jerusalem will be slain by the sword, not protected as they arrogantly believed (referencing the "flesh pot" analogy in Ezekiel 11:3). Pelatiah, mentioned here, was one of the prominent princes leading the people astray, and his sudden death serves as a dramatic and immediate confirmation of the divine judgment Ezekiel had just prophesied.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Confirmation: The immediate death of Pelatiah the son of Benaiah upon Ezekiel's prophecy is a stark and undeniable sign of God's active hand in executing judgment. It demonstrates that God's words spoken through His prophets are not mere threats but carry divine authority and will be fulfilled precisely. This event underscores the certainty of judgment for disobedience and rebellion, as previously warned in Ezekiel 11:10.
  • Prophetic Intercession and Compassion: Despite being God's messenger of severe judgment, Ezekiel's reaction to Pelatiah's death reveals his profound compassion and anguish for his people. Falling on his face and crying out, "Ah Lord GOD! wilt thou make a full end of the remnant of Israel?" shows his deep emotional connection and his fear that God's wrath might consume even the small portion of Israel that remained. This echoes the intercessory spirit seen in figures like Moses (Exodus 32:11), highlighting the prophet's role not just as a deliverer of messages, but as one who pleads on behalf of the people.
  • The Remnant: Ezekiel's desperate question about "the remnant of Israel" introduces a crucial theological concept in the Bible. Even in times of severe judgment and exile, God often preserves a faithful remnant through whom His covenant promises will ultimately be fulfilled. Ezekiel's fear is that this remnant might be utterly destroyed, signifying the depth of the impending national catastrophe.

Linguistic Insights

The exclamation "Ah Lord GOD!" translates the Hebrew `Ah Adonai Yahweh!` (אֲהָהּ אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה). The interjection `Ah` expresses deep distress, lamentation, or a desperate plea. `Adonai` signifies God's sovereign mastership and authority, while `Yahweh` (represented by "GOD" in KJV) is God's personal, covenantal name, emphasizing His faithfulness and relationship with Israel. The combination reflects Ezekiel's desperate cry to his all-powerful yet covenant-keeping God, questioning the extent of His judgment.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 11:13 offers several enduring lessons for believers today. Firstly, it underscores the **seriousness of God's word and warnings**. Just as Pelatiah's death was a tangible fulfillment of prophecy, so too are God's promises and warnings in Scripture certain to come to pass. This should inspire both reverence and obedience.

Secondly, Ezekiel's emotional response teaches us about **compassion in ministry**. Even when confronting sin and delivering difficult truths, those who serve God should do so with a heart that grieves over the spiritual condition and potential fate of people, mirroring Christ's sorrow over Jerusalem. Finally, the verse, when read in conjunction with the following verses in Ezekiel 11 (especially Ezekiel 11:16-20), points to God's ultimate faithfulness. Despite severe judgment, God always preserves a remnant and has a plan for restoration and new life, promising a "new heart" and "new spirit." This provides hope that even in the darkest times, God's mercy will prevail, ensuring a future for His people.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Ezekiel 11:1

    ¶ Moreover the spirit lifted me up, and brought me unto the east gate of the LORD'S house, which looketh eastward: and behold at the door of the gate five and twenty men; among whom I saw Jaazaniah the son of Azur, and Pelatiah the son of Benaiah, princes of the people.

  • Ezekiel 9:8

    And it came to pass, while they were slaying them, and I was left, that I fell upon my face, and cried, and said, Ah Lord GOD! wilt thou destroy all the residue of Israel in thy pouring out of thy fury upon Jerusalem?

  • Acts 5:5

    And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

  • Jeremiah 28:15

    Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah; The LORD hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie.

  • Jeremiah 28:17

    So Hananiah the prophet died the same year in the seventh month.

  • Psalms 119:120

    My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.

  • Proverbs 6:15

    Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.

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