Ezekiel 12:26

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

Again, the word of ADONAI came to me:

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

Again the word of Jehovah came to me, saying,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 12:26 serves as a pivotal divine pronouncement, signaling the commencement of a new message from the LORD to the prophet Ezekiel. This brief yet authoritative statement powerfully underscores God's persistent and unwavering communication, directly addressing the prevalent skepticism among the exiles regarding the delayed fulfillment of His prophetic words and emphatically setting the stage for an immediate declaration of divine action, thereby reaffirming God's absolute sovereignty and faithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed immediately following a powerful refutation of the exiles' cynical proverb, "The days are prolonged, and every vision faileth" ([Ezekiel 12:22](/ezekiel/12-22 "Ezekiel 12:22 - The Proverb of Delayed Prophecy")). God had just emphatically declared through Ezekiel, "For I am the LORD: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; it shall be no more prolonged" ([Ezekiel 12:25](/ezekiel/12-25 "Ezekiel 12:25 - God's Word Will Be Fulfilled Quickly")). Therefore, the introductory phrase "Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying," in verse 26 is not merely a formulaic opening but a deliberate reassertion of divine authority and a direct follow-up to the preceding assurance. It signals that the subsequent message will further elaborate on God's commitment to swift and certain fulfillment, directly countering the people's doubt and impatience. This repetition reinforces the gravity and immediacy of the divine communication, preparing the audience for the urgent message that follows.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Ezekiel ministered during the Babylonian exile (597-538 BC), a period of profound national trauma and spiritual disillusionment for the Jewish people. Having witnessed the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, and forcibly removed from their homeland, many exiles struggled with their faith and the perceived delay of God's promised judgments and restoration. They clung to proverbs like the one cited in [Ezekiel 12:22](/ezekiel/12-22 "Ezekiel 12:22 - The Proverb of Delayed Prophecy"), indicating a deep-seated cynicism that God's word was either unreliable or indefinitely postponed. In this context, the repeated "word of the LORD" served as a vital anchor, reminding a displaced and disheartened people that God was still actively engaged with their history, that His prophetic messages were not mere human predictions but divine decrees, and that His timing, though often inscrutable to them, was perfect and certain. This divine intervention aimed to dispel fatalism and re-establish hope grounded in God's immutable character.

* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 12:26 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Ezekiel and broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Revelation**, emphasizing that Ezekiel's messages originate directly from God, not from human insight or political calculation. The recurring phrase "the word of the LORD came to me" is the bedrock of prophetic authority, underscoring God's active involvement in human affairs and His sovereign choice to communicate His will. Secondly, it reinforces **Prophetic Authority and Reliability**. In a time of widespread doubt, the reiteration of God's direct speech through His prophet validates Ezekiel's role and the truthfulness of his pronouncements. This counters the exiles' skepticism by asserting that God's word is not subject to human timelines or interpretations of delay. Finally, in its immediate context within [Ezekiel 12](/ezekiel/12 "Ezekiel 12 - Prophecies of Exile and Judgment"), the verse powerfully asserts **God's Immediacy and Sovereignty over Time**. Coming after the people's complaint about prolonged prophecies, this renewed divine communication signals that God is about to act decisively and swiftly, demonstrating His absolute control over events and the precise timing of His plans, a truth echoed throughout Scripture, as seen in [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **word (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** From the root דָבַר (davar), this term signifies more than just an audible sound or a collection of letters. As per the Strong's data, it encompasses a "matter," "thing," "utterance," "decree," or "event." When applied to God, _dâbâr_ denotes a powerful, active, and effective communication that possesses inherent power to bring about what it declares. It is God's performative speech, not merely informative, but transformative and effectual, carrying the weight of His will and purpose.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the covenant name of God, often transliterated as Yahweh, signifying "the self-Existent" or "the Eternal One." It is the personal, proper name of the God of Israel, emphasizing His unchanging nature, His faithfulness to His covenant promises, and His absolute sovereignty. The use of _Yᵉhôvâh_ here underscores that the message is from the ultimate, unchanging, and trustworthy authority, whose word is bound to come to pass.
* **saying (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** A primitive root meaning "to say," used with broad latitude to include "to speak," "to declare," "to command," or "to utter." In this context, it highlights the direct, intentional, and verbal nature of God's communication to Ezekiel. It emphasizes that what follows is a direct quotation of God's own words, reinforcing the divine origin and authority of the message. The participle form indicates an ongoing, immediate declaration.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Again the word of the LORD came to me":** This phrase serves as a powerful prophetic formula, frequently used throughout Ezekiel (and other prophetic books) to introduce a new divine revelation. The adverb "Again" (Hebrew: *vay'hi d'var YHWH elay*) highlights the continuity and persistence of God's communication with His prophet, especially significant in the immediate context where the people doubted God's active involvement. It underscores the divine initiative – God is actively speaking, not merely responding to Ezekiel's inquiry. The "word of the LORD" signifies a direct, authoritative, and potent message from the sovereign God, Yahweh, emphasizing its divine origin and inherent power to accomplish its purpose.
* **"saying,":** This simple participle indicates that what follows is the direct content of the divine message. It sets the stage for God's explicit pronouncement, emphasizing that Ezekiel is merely the conduit for God's precise and unambiguous words. It implies a direct, verbal communication from God to the prophet, leaving no room for misinterpretation regarding the source or the impending content. This transition word ensures the audience understands that the subsequent verses are a direct divine utterance.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Ezekiel 12:26 is **Formulaic Language** or **Prophetic Formula**. The phrase "Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying," is a recurring literary device throughout prophetic books, particularly prominent in Ezekiel, appearing over 60 times. Its repetition serves to punctuate the narrative, signaling a new divine oracle and reinforcing the divine origin and authority of the prophet's message. This **Repetition** is not redundant; rather, it acts as a powerful rhetorical tool, emphasizing the unwavering and persistent nature of God's communication, especially crucial in a context where the audience doubted His active involvement and the immediacy of His word. The phrase also functions as a form of **Framing Device**, clearly delineating sections of divine revelation and underscoring the direct, unmediated nature of God's speech to Ezekiel, thereby lending immense weight and credibility to the prophecies that follow.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 12:26, though brief, is profoundly significant in its theological implications. It powerfully asserts the active, persistent, and authoritative nature of God's communication with humanity. In an era of doubt and disillusionment, this verse reaffirms that God is not silent or distant; rather, He actively intervenes in human history through His revealed word. It underscores the reliability of divine prophecy, asserting that God's promises and warnings are not subject to human timelines or skepticism but will inevitably come to pass. The "word of the LORD" is presented as a dynamic, living entity that carries the power and authority of God Himself, destined to accomplish its intended purpose. This truth provides a foundational assurance of God's faithfulness and sovereignty over all events, reminding us that His decrees are immutable and His timing perfect.

* [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose")
* [Numbers 23:19](/numbers/23-19 "Numbers 23:19 - God is Not a Man That He Should Lie")
* [Psalm 33:9](/psalms/33-9 "Psalm 33:9 - God Spoke, and It Was Done")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 12:26 offers timeless lessons for believers today, particularly in an age often characterized by impatience and skepticism. First, it reminds us of the profound privilege of having God's revealed Word. Just as Ezekiel received direct communication, we possess the Bible, which is "the word of the LORD" – inspired, authoritative, and living. This should cultivate a deep reverence for Scripture and a commitment to diligently study and obey it, recognizing that through it, God continues to speak His truth into our lives. Second, this verse serves as a powerful antidote to doubt regarding God's timing. When circumstances seem prolonged, or God's promises appear delayed, Ezekiel 12:26 calls us to trust in His perfect timing and unfailing faithfulness. Our impatience does not negate His plan; rather, it is an invitation to deepen our reliance on His sovereign control and to wait with hopeful expectation. Finally, it underscores the inherent power and efficacy of God's word. It is not merely informative but performative, capable of shaping reality, transforming hearts, and fulfilling every purpose for which it is sent. This should inspire confidence in prayer, knowing that when we pray according to His Word, we are aligning with His powerful decrees, and encourage us to share this potent Word with a world in need of its truth and life.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the persistent nature of "the word of the LORD" in Ezekiel challenge my own moments of doubt or impatience regarding God's promises in my life?**
* **In what ways do I treat the Bible as "the word of the LORD" – a direct, authoritative, and powerful communication from God – rather than merely an ancient text?**
* **What specific areas of my life need to be brought into alignment with the truth that God's word "shall come to pass" and "shall be no more prolonged"?**

### FAQ
**Why is the phrase "Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying" repeated so often in Ezekiel?**

Answer: The repetition of this formulaic phrase serves multiple critical purposes. Firstly, it emphasizes the divine origin and absolute authority of the messages Ezekiel delivers. In a time when the exiles were questioning God's faithfulness and the validity of prophecy, this constant reiteration affirmed that Ezekiel was not speaking his own thoughts but was a direct conduit for God's voice. Secondly, it acts as a crucial literary device to punctuate the narrative, marking distinct sections of divine revelation and signaling the beginning of a new oracle or prophetic discourse. This helps structure the book and highlights the progression of God's messages. Finally, in the immediate context of [Ezekiel 12](/ezekiel/12 "Ezekiel 12 - Prophecies of Exile and Judgment"), the "Again" signifies God's persistent and unwavering communication, directly countering the people's proverb about delayed prophecies and emphasizing that God is actively speaking and will swiftly fulfill His word.

**What is the significance of "the word of the LORD" in the Old Testament?**

Answer: "The word of the LORD" (Hebrew: *davar Yahweh*) is a foundational concept in the Old Testament, denoting God's active, powerful, and authoritative communication. It is not merely a spoken sound but carries the weight of God's very being and purpose. This "word" is seen as creative (e.g., [Genesis 1:3](/genesis/1-3 "Genesis 1:3 - God Speaks Creation into Being")), covenantal (e.g., [Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Deuteronomy 8:3 - Man Lives by Every Word of God")), prophetic (as in Ezekiel), and performative—it accomplishes what it declares (e.g., [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose")). It is the primary means by which God reveals His will, establishes His covenant, judges sin, and brings about His redemptive plans. The phrase underscores God's sovereignty, His faithfulness, and the absolute reliability of His pronouncements, serving as the very foundation of Israel's relationship with Yahweh.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 12:26, with its emphasis on "the word of the LORD" coming to the prophet, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament prophets received *a* word from the LORD, the New Testament reveals that Jesus *is* the Word of God incarnate. As [John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God") declares, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." This living Word, who was with God and was God, became flesh and dwelt among us ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), bringing grace and truth. All of God's previous communications, whether through prophets or other means, culminated in Christ, for "in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son" ([Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken Through His Son")), who is the radiance of God's glory and the exact imprint of his nature. The persistent, authoritative, and unfailing nature of "the word of the LORD" that came to Ezekiel is perfectly embodied in Jesus, who is the faithful and true witness ([Revelation 19:11](/revelation/19-11 "Revelation 19:11 - The Faithful and True Witness")) and whose every word is truth and life. He is the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise that His word would not be prolonged but would come to pass, for in Christ, all of God's promises are "Yes" and "Amen" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - All God's Promises are Yes in Christ")), signifying their complete and certain fulfillment in 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.