Ezekiel 12:28

KJV

Therefore say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; There shall none of my words be prolonged any more, but the word which I have spoken shall be done, saith the Lord GOD.

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore say {H559} unto them, Thus saith {H559} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}; There shall none of my words {H1697} be prolonged {H4900} any more, but the word {H1697} which I have spoken {H1696} shall be done {H6213}, saith {H5002} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Therefore, say to them that Adonai ELOHIM says, 'None of my words will be delayed any more, but the word that I speak will be accomplished,' says Adonai ELOHIM."

Berean Standard Bible

Therefore tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘None of My words will be delayed any longer. The message I speak will be fulfilled, declares the Lord GOD.’”

American Standard Version

Therefore say unto them, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: There shall none of my words be deferred any more, but the word which I shall speak shall be performed, saith the Lord Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 12:28 delivers a definitive and urgent declaration from the Lord GOD, directly confronting the prevalent skepticism and spiritual complacency among the Judean exiles in Babylon. It unequivocally asserts the immediate and certain fulfillment of God's prophetic words concerning the impending judgment on Judah and Jerusalem, thereby dispelling the dangerous illusion that divine warnings would be indefinitely prolonged or fail to materialize. This powerful verse underscores God's unwavering faithfulness, His absolute sovereignty over time and history, and the non-negotiable reality that His spoken word is not merely a threat but an imminent and assured reality that demands immediate attention and response.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse stands as the climactic and emphatic culmination of a specific prophetic exchange within Ezekiel's ministry, spanning [Ezekiel 12:21-28](/ezekiel/12-21-28 "Ezekiel 12:21-28 - Refutation of Delayed Prophecy"). Prior to this declaration, God addresses two popular proverbs circulating among the exiles, revealing their deep-seated spiritual apathy and dismissive attitude towards divine warnings. The first proverb, "The days are prolonged, and every vision faileth," is found in [Ezekiel 12:22](/ezekiel/12-22 "Ezekiel 12:22 - The Proverb of Delayed Visions"), suggesting that God's prophecies were perpetually unfulfilled. The second, in [Ezekiel 12:27](/ezekiel/12-27 "Ezekiel 12:27 - Prophecies for the Distant Future"), states, "The vision that he seeth is for many days to come, and he prophesieth of the times that are far off," indicating a belief that judgment, if it came at all, was a distant concern. Ezekiel 12:28 serves as God's direct, forceful, and final rebuttal to this dangerous complacency, asserting the swift and certain execution of His word, thereby dismantling the false sense of security fostered by these proverbs.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Ezekiel ministered to the Jewish exiles who had been deported to Babylon following the first siege of Jerusalem in 597 BC. During this period, Jerusalem had not yet fallen, and many exiles, influenced by false prophets and their own wishful thinking, clung to the hope that the city would be spared and their return to Judah would be swift. This widespread denial and spiritual blindness were rooted in a profound misunderstanding of God's justice and the severe consequences of their persistent idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness. The proverbs about delayed prophecies were not just casual sayings but a cultural manifestation of their spiritual resistance, a psychological mechanism to rationalize their continued sin and avoid the painful truth of impending judgment. Ezekiel's challenging ministry was thus crucial: to dismantle these deceptive hopes and prepare the people for the devastating and imminent reality of Jerusalem's final destruction in 586 BC.
* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 12:28 profoundly contributes to several overarching themes that permeate the book of Ezekiel and the broader prophetic corpus. First, it powerfully asserts the **Sovereignty and Immutability of God's Word**. Contrary to human skepticism and the passage of time, God's declarations are not subject to human timelines or doubts; they are absolute, efficacious, and will be fulfilled precisely as spoken. This theme is foundational to biblical revelation, echoed in passages like [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - The Efficacy of God's Word"), which declares that God's word will not return to Him empty. Second, the verse underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment and Accountability**. The impending destruction of Jerusalem and the full extent of the Babylonian captivity were not distant threats but immediate realities, representing the direct and inevitable consequence of Judah's persistent sin and rejection of God's covenant. This emphasizes that God holds His people accountable for their actions and that His patience, though vast, has a definitive end. Finally, it speaks to the **Urgency of Repentance**. By declaring the immediate fulfillment of His word, God issues a stark call for His people to abandon their complacency, to acknowledge their sin, and to turn back to Him before it is irrevocably too late, a message central to Ezekiel's prophetic ministry, as seen in [Ezekiel 18](/ezekiel/18 "Ezekiel 18 - Individual Responsibility and Repentance").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Word (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** This term (H1697) is central to the verse, appearing twice. Derived from the verb H1696 (_dâbar_, "to speak"), _dâbâr_ means "a word," but its semantic range is much broader, encompassing "matter," "thing," "act," "decree," "report," or "affair." In this context, it refers specifically to God's spoken prophecies, declarations, and warnings, signifying not merely empty utterances but authoritative, substantive decrees that possess inherent power to effect reality. It highlights the dynamic and active nature of divine communication.
* **Prolonged (Hebrew, _mâshak'_):** The KJV translates this verb (H4900) as "prolonged," meaning to draw out, lengthen, defer, or delay. This word directly addresses the people's proverb that God's visions were for a distant future, implying an indefinite postponement. God's declaration here is a direct and forceful refutation: His words will no longer be drawn out or deferred. The time for patient waiting and perceived delay is emphatically over.
* **Done (Hebrew, _ʻâsâh'_):** This highly versatile and frequently used verb (H6213) means "to do or make" in the broadest sense, encompassing "accomplish," "execute," "perform," "bring to pass," or "bring into being." When God declares that His word "shall be done," it signifies that His declarations will be fully actualized, brought into concrete reality, and accomplished without fail, deviation, or further postponement. It emphasizes the completed and effective nature of God's action.
* **Lord GOD (Hebrew, _ʼĂdônây Yᵉhôvih'_):** This compound divine title (H136, H3069) is profoundly significant. _ʼĂdônây_ (H136) is an emphatic form of "lord" or "master," emphasizing God's absolute sovereignty, supreme authority, and mastership over all creation and history. _Yᵉhôvih_ (H3069) is a specific vocalization of YHWH, the covenant name of God (often rendered "LORD" in English Bibles), which emphasizes His self-existence, eternal faithfulness, and covenant relationship with His people. The double repetition of "saith the Lord GOD" (using H559 _ʼâmar_ for "say" and H5002 _nᵉʼum_ for "oracle" or "saith") powerfully underscores the divine authority, unwavering resolve, and covenantal faithfulness behind this declaration. It is the Sovereign, Covenant-keeping God who speaks, guaranteeing the absolute certainty and efficacy of His word.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD;":** This opening clause establishes the non-negotiable divine origin and supreme authority of the message. Ezekiel is explicitly presented as merely the messenger; the words are a direct, unmediated pronouncement from the sovereign, covenant-keeping God, leaving no room for human skepticism to dismiss them as mere human pronouncements or opinions. It demands immediate and serious attention.
* **"There shall none of my words be prolonged any more,":** This is the direct, emphatic refutation of the proverbs of delay and the people's complacent mindset. God declares an absolute end to the perceived deferment or postponement of His prophecies. The time for waiting, for assuming grace would indefinitely extend, or for dismissing warnings as distant threats, is over. The judgments previously spoken of are now at the very threshold of immediate and inevitable fulfillment.
* **"but the word which I have spoken shall be done, saith the Lord GOD.":** This clause emphatically affirms the certainty, swiftness, and comprehensive nature of God's action. It is a powerful statement of divine resolve. Not only will His words not be delayed, but they will be actively, completely, and precisely brought to pass. The repetition of "saith the Lord GOD" serves as a powerful divine seal, a solemn oath, guaranteeing the absolute reliability, efficacy, and unchangeable nature of His every declaration. What God has decreed, He will accomplish without fail.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 12:28 employs several potent literary devices to convey its urgent and authoritative message. The most prominent is **Direct Divine Speech**, signaled by the recurring phrase "Thus saith the Lord GOD," which immediately establishes the unparalleled authority and finality of the declaration. This is powerfully reinforced by **Repetition** of the phrase "saith the Lord GOD," acting as an emphatic divine seal that underscores the unwavering certainty and absolute resolve of the speaker, leaving no doubt as to the source or reliability of the message. The verse also utilizes stark **Contrast** between the people's complacent expectation of prolonged delay ("There shall none of my words be prolonged any more") and God's absolute assurance of immediate and complete fulfillment ("but the word which I have spoken shall be done"). This sharp opposition highlights the vast chasm between human skepticism and divine truth, exposing the folly of their assumptions. Furthermore, there is a subtle but effective use of **Hyperbole** in "none of my words be prolonged any more," emphasizing the absolute cessation of any further delay, leaving no room for doubt, procrastination, or misinterpretation of God's imminent action.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 12:28 is a profound theological statement on the very nature of God's word and His absolute sovereignty over time and history. It asserts that God's declarations are not mere suggestions, idle threats, or conditional possibilities, but active, powerful, and self-executing decrees that will inevitably come to pass. This foundational truth undergirds all biblical prophecy, affirming that God is utterly faithful to both His promises and His warnings, and that His timing is perfect and sovereign, even when it seems delayed or incomprehensible to human perception. The verse challenges any notion of divine impotence, indifference, or changeability, revealing a God who is intimately involved in the affairs of humanity, meticulously executing His righteous judgments and bringing His redemptive plans to fruition according to His divine timetable. It serves as a timeless reminder that spiritual complacency, denial, or procrastination in the face of God's revealed truth is a dangerous and ultimately futile delusion.

* [Numbers 23:19](/numbers/23-19 "Numbers 23:19 - God is Not a Man That He Should Lie")
* [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - The Efficacy of God's Word")
* [Matthew 24:35](/matthew/24-35 "Matthew 24:35 - Heaven and Earth Will Pass Away, But My Words Will Never Pass Away")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 12:28 resonates deeply with believers today, serving as a powerful antidote to spiritual apathy, procrastination, and the temptation to dismiss divine warnings. In a world that often cultivates a sense of timelessness or postpones repentance, this verse reminds us that God's word is living, active, and eternally relevant, not merely a collection of ancient texts confined to the past. It calls us to take God's promises and warnings with the utmost seriousness, recognizing that His perfect timing will bring all things to pass, whether it be judgment for unrepentant sin or the ultimate fulfillment of His glorious redemptive plan. This truth encourages us to live with a profound sense of urgency, responding to God's call to faith, obedience, and active discipleship now, rather than presuming upon His patience or delaying our commitment. Ultimately, it fosters a robust and unwavering trust in God's faithfulness, knowing with certainty that every word He has spoken—concerning our salvation, our sanctification, His justice, and our future hope—"shall be done."

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific areas of my life am I currently "prolonging" in terms of obedience, repentance, or active faith, perhaps assuming God's patience will last indefinitely?**
* **How does the absolute certainty of God's word ("shall be done") deepen my trust in His promises for my personal life and His ultimate sovereign plan for the world?**
* **In what subtle or overt ways might I be dismissing or downplaying the seriousness of God's warnings in Scripture, mirroring the complacent attitude of the exiles in Ezekiel's day?**
* **How can the profound truth of Ezekiel 12:28 motivate me to live with greater urgency, intentionality, and faithfulness in my daily walk with God?**

### FAQ

**What was the "proverb" the people were using that Ezekiel 12:28 refutes?**

Answer: The people of Israel, particularly the exiles in Babylon, were using specific proverbs to rationalize their spiritual complacency and dismiss God's prophetic warnings. The primary proverbs referenced in this chapter are found in [Ezekiel 12:22](/ezekiel/12-22 "Ezekiel 12:22 - The Proverb of Delayed Visions"), which states, "The days are prolonged, and every vision faileth," and [Ezekiel 12:27](/ezekiel/12-27 "Ezekiel 12:27 - Prophecies for the Distant Future"), which says, "The vision that he seeth is for many days to come, and he prophesieth of the times that are far off." These proverbs reflected their dangerous spiritual apathy and their belief that God's judgment would either never come or was so far in the distant future that it allowed them to continue in their disobedience without immediate consequence. Ezekiel 12:28 is God's direct, emphatic, and decisive refutation of this dangerous mindset, declaring an end to such presumptuous delays.

**Why is the repetition of "saith the Lord GOD" significant in this verse?**

Answer: The repetition of "saith the Lord GOD" (KJV, translating the Hebrew compound title _ʼĂdônây Yᵉhôvih_) twice in Ezekiel 12:28 is a profoundly significant literary and theological device. It serves to underscore the absolute **divine authority**, **unwavering certainty**, and **irrevocable nature** of the declaration. _ʼĂdônây_ emphasizes God's sovereign mastership and ultimate control, while _Yᵉhôvih_ (YHWH) highlights His covenant faithfulness and self-existence. By repeating this sacred and powerful title, God is essentially putting His entire being, His immutable character, and His unassailable reputation behind this statement, leaving no room for doubt, dismissal, or further questioning. It functions as a divine oath, a solemn guarantee that His word will be fulfilled immediately and completely, directly countering any human skepticism or attempt to prolong its effect.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezekiel 12:28 primarily speaks of the immediate fulfillment of judgment upon Judah, its deeper theological principle—the absolute certainty, efficacy, and timely execution of God's word—finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "word" that "shall be done" is not merely a word of impending judgment but also the eternal Word of God made flesh. Just as God's warnings to Israel were fulfilled with precision, so too were His ancient promises of a Redeemer. The entire redemptive plan, from the protoevangelium in [Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "Genesis 3:15 - The Protoevangelium") promising a serpent-crusher, to the detailed prophecies of the suffering servant in [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant"), was "prolonged" in human history only until the divinely appointed "fullness of time" [Galatians 4:4](/galatians/4-4 "Galatians 4:4 - The Fullness of Time"). Then, the "word which I have spoken" concerning humanity's salvation was definitively and perfectly "done" in the incarnation, sinless life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ. He is the living embodiment of God's faithful word, who, on the cross, declared, "It is finished" [John 19:30](/john/19-30 "John 19:30 - It Is Finished"), signifying the complete and perfect accomplishment of God's redemptive work. Furthermore, Christ Himself assures us that "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away" [Matthew 24:35](/matthew/24-35 "Matthew 24:35 - The Certainty of Jesus' Words"), echoing the very certainty declared in Ezekiel, now applied to the New Covenant and the sure promise of His glorious return [John 14:3](/john/14-3 "John 14:3 - Jesus Promises to Return"). Therefore, Ezekiel 12:28 foreshadows the ultimate truth that every word of God, whether of judgment or grace, finds its decisive "done" in Christ, who is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end of God's perfect plan.

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.

Cross-References

Ezekiel 12:23

Tell them therefore, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will make this proverb to cease, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel; but say unto them, The days are at hand, and the effect of every vision.

Ezekiel 12:25

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: for in your days, O rebellious house, will I say the word, and will perform it, saith the Lord GOD.

1 Thessalonians 5:2

For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

1 Thessalonians 5:3

For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

Matthew 24:48

But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;

Matthew 24:51

And shall cut him asunder, and appoint [him] his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Mark 13:32

But of that day and [that] hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.