11:4 11:4

Ezekiel 11:5

11:6 11:6

Bible Versions

And the Spirit of the LORD fell upon me, and said unto me, Speak; Thus saith the LORD; Thus have ye said, O house of Israel: for I know the things that come into your mind, [every one of] them.
And the Spirit {H7307} of the LORD {H3068} fell {H5307} upon me, and said {H559} unto me, Speak {H559}; Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}; Thus have ye said {H559}, O house {H1004} of Israel {H3478}: for I know {H3045} the things that come {H4609} into your mind {H7307}, every one of them.
The Spirit of ADONAI fell on me, and he said to me, "Say, 'Here is what ADONAI says: "What you are saying is correct, house of Isra'el; because I know how your minds work.
And the Spirit of the LORD fell upon me and told me to declare that this is what the LORD says: “That is what you are thinking, O house of Israel; and I know the thoughts that arise in your minds.
And the Spirit of Jehovah fell upon me, and he said unto me, Speak, Thus saith Jehovah: Thus have ye said, O house of Israel; for I know the things that come into your mind.

Context

Ezekiel 11 is a pivotal chapter in the prophet Ezekiel's ministry, which takes place during the Babylonian exile. At this point, the city of Jerusalem is still standing, but facing imminent destruction. The people remaining in Jerusalem, particularly the leaders, harbored a false sense of security and a rebellious spirit, believing they were immune to divine judgment and that those already exiled were the only ones truly deserving of punishment. In this verse, Ezekiel 11:5, the scene shifts as the Spirit of the LORD empowers Ezekiel to confront the hidden thoughts and intentions of Israel's leadership and inhabitants, laying bare their internal rebellion before God's impending judgment.

Key Themes

  • Divine Inspiration and Authority: The declaration "And the Spirit of the LORD fell upon me" signifies Ezekiel's direct, powerful, and undeniable prophetic inspiration. This phrase, common in prophetic literature (e.g., Ezekiel 2:2, Ezekiel 3:24), establishes that the message is not Ezekiel's own opinion, but a divinely authoritative pronouncement from God Himself, emphasized by "Thus saith the LORD."
  • God's Omniscience: The central revelation of this verse is God's absolute knowledge of human thoughts and intentions. The powerful statement, "for I know the things that come into your mind, every one of them," underscores that no thought, no hidden motive, no secret plan of the "house of Israel" is concealed from God. This directly challenges the people's self-deception and false security, revealing their inner rebellion.
  • Rebellion of the Heart: While not explicitly detailed in this verse, the broader context of Ezekiel 11 implies that the "things that come into your mind" are thoughts of defiance, pride, and a refusal to acknowledge God's sovereignty or the legitimacy of His judgment. This internal rebellion is as significant as outward acts of sin.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "mind" in this verse is machashavah (מַחֲשָׁבָה), which encompasses not just fleeting thoughts, but also plans, designs, intentions, and purposes. It often refers to deliberate reasoning or scheming. The phrase "every one of them" (כֻּלָּהּ, kullah) emphasizes the exhaustive nature of God's knowledge; He knows not just some of their thoughts, but literally all of them, leaving no room for hidden sin or self-justification.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 11:5 offers profound and timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Accountability of Thoughts: This verse serves as a powerful reminder that God sees beyond our outward actions and hears our spoken words; He knows our innermost thoughts and intentions. This calls for introspection and a conscious effort to purify our hearts and minds, aligning them with God's will (cf. Psalm 139:2, Jeremiah 17:10).
  • Comfort and Warning: For those who genuinely seek to follow God, it is a comfort to know that He understands their unspoken struggles, doubts, and sincere desires. For those who harbor ill intentions, pride, or self-deception, it is a solemn warning that their hidden motives are fully exposed before a holy God.
  • Authenticity Before God: The omniscience of God revealed here encourages us to live lives of genuine authenticity. Pretense is futile before a God who knows us completely. It compels us to cultivate a heart that is truly devoted to Him, understanding that our inner world matters profoundly to Him.
Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Jeremiah 17:10

    I the LORD search the heart, [I] try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, [and] according to the fruit of his doings.

  • Ezekiel 2:2

    And the spirit entered into me when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet, that I heard him that spake unto me.

  • Ezekiel 38:10

    Thus saith the Lord GOD; It shall also come to pass, [that] at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought:

  • Ezekiel 38:11

    And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates,

  • 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.

  • Ezekiel 3:27

    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.

  • Ezekiel 29:3

    Speak, and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I [am] against thee, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great dragon that lieth in the midst of his rivers, which hath said, My river [is] mine own, and I have made [it] for myself.
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