Ezekiel 12:17

KJV

¶ Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

KJV (with Strong's)

Moreover the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068} came to me, saying {H559},

Complete Jewish Bible

The word of ADONAI came to me:

Berean Standard Bible

Moreover, the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

American Standard Version

Moreover the word of Jehovah came to me, saying,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 12:17 functions as a foundational prophetic introductory formula, signaling the commencement of a fresh divine revelation from the LORD to His prophet, Ezekiel. This concise yet potent statement underscores the direct, authoritative, and ongoing nature of God's communication with His chosen messenger, thereby setting the stage for the subsequent prophecy. It emphasizes that the words Ezekiel is about to deliver are not born of human wisdom or opinion, but are a direct, unadulterated utterance from the sovereign God, carrying His full weight and authority.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 12:17 serves as a distinct textual marker, introducing a new segment of divine revelation within the unfolding narrative of Ezekiel's prophetic ministry. Immediately preceding this verse, Ezekiel has engaged in a series of vivid symbolic actions: packing for exile by day and digging through a wall by night, as detailed in [Ezekiel 12:3-7](/ezekiel/12-3-7 "Ezekiel's Symbolic Actions of Exile"). These actions are then interpreted as a dramatic prophecy concerning King Zedekiah's desperate attempt to escape Jerusalem and his inevitable capture, as explained in [Ezekiel 12:8-16](/ezekiel/12-8-16 "The Prophecy of King Zedekiah's Exile"). The new "word of the LORD" introduced by verse 17 shifts the prophetic focus from the king's specific fate to the broader experience of the general populace, specifically their impending suffering from fear, hunger, and desolation during the siege, which is elaborated upon in [Ezekiel 12:18-20](/ezekiel/12-18-20 "The People's Anguish During the Siege"). The consistent and repetitive nature of this introductory formula throughout the book of Ezekiel powerfully reinforces the divine origin and authority of each subsequent prophecy, ensuring the audience understands the source of the message.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ezekiel delivered his prophecies during a profoundly tumultuous period in Judah's history, specifically from his position among the exiles in Babylon, following the first deportation in 597 BC. His audience comprised both the exiled community in Babylon and those who remained in Jerusalem. At this time, Jerusalem was under the nominal control of Babylon but was increasingly rebellious, a defiance that would ultimately lead to its devastating final siege and destruction in 586 BC. The prophecies in Ezekiel 12, including the one initiated by verse 17, directly address the imminent fall of the city and its subsequent desolation. Their purpose was to dismantle any false hopes of a swift deliverance or an avoidance of divine judgment that the people might harbor. Culturally, the Israelites were deeply rooted in covenant theology, yet their repeated failures to uphold their covenant obligations had led to this period of severe divine judgment. The "word of the LORD" was not merely understood as information; it was perceived as an active, potent, and living force, possessing the inherent power to bring about precisely what it declared, shaping history and destiny.
* **Key Themes:** This introductory verse, despite its brevity, is pivotal in establishing and reinforcing several overarching themes prevalent throughout the book of Ezekiel. Firstly, it emphatically underscores the theme of **Divine Authority and Revelation**, making it clear that Ezekiel's message is not the product of human wisdom or imagination, but the direct, authoritative utterance of God Himself. This divine origin is crucial for legitimizing his often-unpopular pronouncements of judgment and destruction. Secondly, it highlights the **Continuity of God's Communication** with His people. Even in the midst of severe judgment and impending exile, God remains actively engaged, providing warnings, explanations, and reasons for His actions. This continuous divine dialogue is essential for understanding God's justice, faithfulness, and His unwavering commitment to His covenant. Lastly, by introducing subsequent prophecies of doom, it implicitly points to the theme of **Imminent Judgment and Desolation**. The formula invariably precedes a detailed account of the severe consequences of Judah's sin, particularly the hardship, terror, and destruction that will accompany Jerusalem's fall, as further elaborated in passages like [Ezekiel 12:19](/ezekiel/12-19 "Ezekiel 12:19 - Desolation During the Siege").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **word (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** This term (H1697) is far more expansive than a simple utterance. It encompasses "matter," "thing," "affair," "decree," "deed," and "report." In the context of "the word of the LORD," it signifies not merely spoken sounds but a concrete, active, and powerful divine utterance that inherently carries authority and brings about what it declares. It implies a divine directive, a message with substance, consequence, and the power to effect change.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the sacred personal name of God (H3068), often transliterated as Yahweh, signifying "the self-Existent" or "the Eternal." Its use here emphasizes that the message originates from the covenant-making, sovereign God of Israel—the one who is unchanging, faithful to His promises, and just in His warnings. It underscores the ultimate authority, reliability, and binding nature of the message.
* **saying (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** This primitive root (H559) means "to say" with broad latitude, including "declare," "command," "speak," or "utter." In this context, it functions as a direct introduction to the content of the divine message, indicating that the following verses are the precise words spoken by the LORD to Ezekiel, to be faithfully conveyed to the people. It emphasizes the directness and exactness of the divine communication.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Moreover the word of the LORD came to me":** This is a standard and profoundly significant prophetic formula, frequently found in prophetic literature. "Moreover" indicates a continuation of divine revelation or the introduction of a new, distinct segment within the ongoing prophetic discourse. The phrase "the word of the LORD came to me" asserts the undeniable divine origin and supreme authority of the message. It signifies that the prophet is not speaking his own thoughts, interpretations, or opinions, but is merely the recipient and faithful conduit of a direct, undeniable, and sovereign communication from God Himself. This phrase serves to legitimize Ezekiel's prophetic office and imbue the content of his subsequent message with absolute divine authority.
* **"saying":** This participle serves as a direct grammatical and conceptual bridge, introducing the specific content of the divine message that immediately follows. It indicates that the subsequent verses are the precise, verbatim words spoken by the LORD, as conveyed through Ezekiel. It ensures that the audience understands that what comes next is not a commentary or an interpretation, but the direct speech of the Almighty, demanding full attention and response.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Ezekiel 12:17 is the **Prophetic Oracle Formula** or **Divine Messenger Formula**. This is a highly recognizable and recurring phrase ("the word of the LORD came to me, saying") that serves as a hallmark of prophetic literature, particularly prominent throughout the book of Ezekiel. Its consistent **Repetition** across the book (e.g., [Ezekiel 1:3](/ezekiel/1-3 "Ezekiel's Call and Commission"), [Ezekiel 3:16](/ezekiel/3-16 "Ezekiel's Watchman Commission"), [Ezekiel 12:1](/ezekiel/12-1 "The Word of the Lord Concerning Ezekiel's Actions")) functions as a powerful literary device. It punctuates the narrative, clearly marking the beginning of new divine revelations, and relentlessly reinforces the idea that Ezekiel is a mere vessel for God's active, living, and authoritative word. This formula establishes the **Credibility** of the prophet and the **Veracity** of the prophecy, leaving absolutely no doubt that the subsequent pronouncements are directly from God Himself, demanding Israel's attention and obedience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 12:17, while an introductory phrase, carries immense theological weight. It underscores the fundamental truth that God is a speaking God, actively engaging with humanity and revealing His will, purposes, and judgments. This divine communication is not arbitrary but purposeful, rooted in God's absolute sovereignty and His covenant relationship with Israel. The consistent use of this formula throughout Ezekiel highlights God's persistent efforts to warn His people, even in their deep rebellion, demonstrating His patience, justice, and unwavering desire for them to turn back to Him. It firmly establishes the prophetic word as God's authoritative and living voice, demanding attention and obedience, and serving as a crucial record of divine interaction with humanity throughout history.

* [Jeremiah 1:4](/jeremiah/1-4 "The Word of the Lord Comes to Jeremiah")
* [Hosea 1:1](/hosea/1-1 "The Word of the Lord to Hosea")
* [Jonah 1:1](/jonah/1-1 "The Word of the Lord Comes to Jonah")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 12:17 serves as a profound reminder that God is not silent, but is fundamentally a God who speaks. For the ancient Israelites, this meant a solemn obligation to heed the words of His prophets, even when those words brought uncomfortable truths, severe warnings, or prophecies of judgment. For believers today, while direct prophetic revelation in the Old Testament sense is unique to that era, God continues to speak authoritatively and infallibly through His written Word, the Bible. This verse calls us to approach Scripture with profound reverence, recognizing that every passage, every command, and every promise contained within its pages is truly "the word of the LORD." Our spiritual growth, our understanding of God's character, and our obedience are directly tied to our willingness to listen intently to, meditate deeply upon, and actively apply God's truth, just as Ezekiel's audience was called to respond to his divine messages. It challenges us to honestly ask ourselves if we truly believe the Bible is God's living and active word, and if so, how that foundational belief genuinely shapes our daily lives, decisions, and priorities.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the phrase "the word of the LORD came to me" deepen your understanding of the Bible's divine authority and inspiration?**
* **In what practical ways do you actively seek to hear and understand God's "word" as revealed in Scripture in your daily life?**
* **What might it look like to treat the Bible with the same urgency, reverence, and expectation of divine encounter that Ezekiel's audience should have shown to his prophecies?**

### FAQ
**Why is the repetition of "the word of the LORD came to me, saying" so important in prophetic books like Ezekiel?**

Answer: The repetition of this phrase is critically important because it serves as an emphatic and undeniable declaration of divine authority and origin for the message that follows. In a historical and cultural context where false prophets might speak their own words or claim divine inspiration falsely, this formula unequivocally distinguishes Ezekiel's message as genuinely from God, not from human wisdom, opinion, or agenda. It constantly reminds the reader and the original audience that the prophet is merely a messenger, a conduit, thereby ensuring that the focus remains squarely on the sovereign LORD as the ultimate source of the revelation. This repetition builds trust in the prophetic word and underscores its binding, non-negotiable nature for the audience, whether it brings warnings, judgments, or promises of restoration. Ultimately, it highlights God's active, consistent, and personal involvement in human history and His unwavering communication with His people, even in times of profound rebellion and impending judgment. It establishes a divine pattern of communication that grounds the entire prophetic narrative.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezekiel 12:17 functions as a standard Old Testament prophetic formula, it finds its ultimate and most profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "word of the LORD" that consistently came to Ezekiel and other prophets foreshadows the ultimate and perfect "Word" of God who came to humanity in the person of Jesus. [John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Eternal Word") declares with breathtaking theological depth, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God," establishing Jesus as the eternal, pre-existent, and divine Word. [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh") further reveals the culmination of this divine communication: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us." This signifies that God's communication to humanity reached its pinnacle not merely in spoken words through prophets, but in the incarnate Son Himself. Where the word came *to* Ezekiel, God's final, most complete, and most perfect revelation *is* Jesus, as powerfully articulated in [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken Through His Son"): "Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son." Thus, the inherent authority, living power, and transformative nature of "the word of the LORD" are fully embodied and perfectly revealed in Christ, who is the living Word, the ultimate message, and the flawless interpreter of God's will and character. His words are not merely information but are "spirit and life" ([John 6:63](/john/6-63 "John 6:63 - Words of Life")), and He is the one through whom God truly speaks to us today, inviting us into eternal life.

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.