Ezekiel 14:12

KJV

¶ The word of the LORD came again to me, saying,

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

The word of ADONAI came to me:

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

And the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 14:12 serves as a pivotal introductory statement, signaling the commencement of a new divine oracle within the book of Ezekiel. This concise verse, "The word of the LORD came again to me, saying," acts as a formal declaration, emphasizing the direct, authoritative, and recurring nature of God's communication to His prophet, Ezekiel, who ministered to the Jewish exiles in Babylon. It sets the stage for a subsequent revelation concerning God's unwavering judgment upon a rebellious land, even in the face of intercession by the righteous.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows a stern divine rebuke against the elders of Israel who had approached Ezekiel seeking a word from the Lord, despite harboring idols in their hearts and setting stumbling blocks of iniquity before their faces (compare with [Ezekiel 14:3](/ezekiel/14-3 "Ezekiel 14:3 - God's Refusal to be Consulted by Idolaters")). The preceding verses (Ezekiel 14:1-11) establish God's absolute refusal to be inquired of by those whose hearts are not truly repentant, highlighting the severity of idolatry and the danger of false prophets. Therefore, [Ezekiel 14:12](/ezekiel/14-12 "Ezekiel 14:12 - The Word of the Lord Comes Again") introduces a distinct and fresh segment of divine revelation, shifting from the issue of individual idolatry and false prophecy to the broader theme of national judgment, which will be detailed in the subsequent verses (e.g., [Ezekiel 14:13-23](/ezekiel/14-13 "Ezekiel 14:13-23 - God's Four Severe Judgments")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ezekiel ministered during the Babylonian exile (circa 593-571 BC), a period of profound national crisis for Judah. The exiles, many of whom still clung to false hopes of a swift return to Jerusalem, struggled with their identity and faith in a foreign land. They often sought prophetic guidance, but their hearts were frequently divided, as evidenced by the elders' idolatry. The phrase "The word of the LORD came again to me" reflects the consistent and persistent nature of God's communication to His people through His chosen prophet, even in their captivity. This formula underscored the divine authority of the message in a time when many false prophets offered comforting but deceptive words, contrasting God's true, often harsh, message with human sentiment.

* **Key Themes:** The most prominent theme introduced by this verse is **Divine Revelation**, emphasizing God's active, direct, and authoritative communication with humanity. It underscores **Prophetic Authority**, validating Ezekiel's role as God's chosen messenger, through whom the Lord speaks His exact words, not human opinions. The phrase "came again" highlights the **Continuity and Recurrence of God's Word**, signifying that God's message is not a one-time event but a persistent engagement with His people, often building upon previous revelations. Furthermore, it subtly introduces the overarching theme of **God's Sovereignty in Judgment**, as this introductory formula consistently precedes pronouncements of divine action, particularly judgment, throughout the book of [Ezekiel](/ezekiel/1 "The Book of Ezekiel").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **word (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** From the root _dâbar_, meaning "to speak." This term encompasses not only spoken utterances but also matters, affairs, things, decrees, and even actions. In this context, it signifies a divinely originated communication, carrying the weight of God's will and purpose. It is not merely information but a potent, effective declaration from the Almighty that brings about what it states.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the covenant name of God, often transliterated as Yahweh, signifying "the self-Existent" or "the Eternal." Its use here emphasizes that the message originates from the sovereign, unchanging, and personal God who established a covenant with Israel. It highlights the ultimate authority and reliability of the message, as it comes from the one true God who is, and always will be.
* **saying (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** A primitive root meaning "to say" with great latitude, including to answer, appoint, command, declare, or speak. In this formulaic context, it introduces the direct speech of God, indicating that what follows is a verbatim transmission of the divine message. It confirms the prophet's role as a conduit, faithfully relaying God's precise words.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The word of the LORD":** This opening phrase immediately establishes the divine origin and supreme authority of the message. It is not Ezekiel's own thought, opinion, or interpretation, but a direct utterance from Yahweh, the covenant God.
* **"came again to me":** The inclusion of "again" signifies the recurring nature of God's revelation to Ezekiel. This was not an isolated incident but a continuous, active communication between God and His prophet, reinforcing Ezekiel's consistent prophetic calling and the ongoing divine engagement with the exiles. It implies a previous word, and now a new, distinct message is being delivered.
* **"saying,":** This participle serves as a direct introduction to the subsequent divine speech. It indicates that the following verses will contain the precise words spoken by the Lord to Ezekiel, underscoring the verbatim and authoritative nature of the prophecy about to be delivered.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 14:12 primarily employs a **Prophetic Formula**, a common literary device throughout the prophetic books (e.g., Jeremiah, Ezekiel). This formula, "The word of the LORD came to me, saying," serves as a literary marker, signaling the commencement of a new divine oracle and imbuing the subsequent message with undeniable authority and divine origin. The addition of "again" introduces **Repetition** as a subtle device, highlighting the persistent and recurrent nature of God's communication to Ezekiel, reinforcing the prophet's ongoing commission and the continuous flow of revelation. This formula also functions as a form of **Divine Address**, establishing God as the primary speaker and Ezekiel as the recipient and messenger, thereby emphasizing the directness of the divine communication.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 14:12 profoundly underscores the fundamental theological truth that God is a speaking God, actively engaging with His creation and, specifically, with His people through revelation. This verse, a common prophetic formula, asserts the divine origin and absolute authority of the subsequent message, leaving no doubt that what follows is not human wisdom but the very word of Yahweh. It highlights the crucial role of the prophet as a divinely appointed messenger, a conduit through whom God's will, warnings, and promises are conveyed. The recurrence implied by "came again" also speaks to God's persistent pursuit of His people, even in their rebellion, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to communicate His truth and purposes.

* [Jeremiah 1:4](/jeremiah/1-4 "Jeremiah 1:4 - The Word of the Lord Came to Jeremiah")
* [Hosea 1:1](/hosea/1-1 "Hosea 1:1 - The Word of the Lord Came to Hosea")
* [Zephaniah 1:1](/zephaniah/1-1 "Zephaniah 1:1 - The Word of the Lord Came to Zephaniah")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 14:12, though brief, carries profound implications for believers today. It reminds us that God is not silent but is a God who speaks, and His word carries ultimate authority and truth. Just as Ezekiel was called to listen intently and faithfully deliver God's message, we too are called to be attentive hearers and doers of God's Word, primarily found in the Scriptures. This verse challenges us to approach the Bible not as mere human literature but as the very "word of the LORD," demanding our reverence, diligent study, and obedient application. It encourages us to recognize the continuity of God's character and His persistent desire to communicate with humanity, whether through warnings of judgment or promises of grace. Our spiritual vitality depends on our readiness to receive and respond to the divine voice.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How seriously do I take the "word of the LORD" as revealed in Scripture?**
* **In what ways do I actively seek to hear and understand God's voice in my daily life?**
* **Considering that God's word "came again" to Ezekiel, how does God consistently speak to me, and am I recognizing His ongoing communication?**
* **What idols, like those of the elders in Ezekiel's day, might be hindering my ability to truly hear and obey God's word?**

### FAQ
**Why does the Bible frequently use the phrase "The word of the LORD came to me, saying"?**

Answer: This phrase, or a close variation, is a common **prophetic formula** used throughout the Old Testament, particularly in books like Jeremiah and Ezekiel. Its primary purpose is to establish the divine origin and absolute authority of the message that follows. It signifies that the prophet is not speaking his own thoughts or opinions, but is faithfully relaying a direct revelation from God. This formula safeguards against the idea that the prophecy is merely human wisdom and underscores the inerrancy and infallibility of the divine communication. It also serves as a literary device to mark new sections of revelation or to introduce a distinct oracle, as seen in [Ezekiel 14:12](/ezekiel/14-12 "Ezekiel 14:12 - The Word of the Lord Comes Again") after the preceding discourse on idolatry.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 14:12, by emphasizing the recurring and authoritative nature of "the word of the LORD" coming to a prophet, foreshadows the ultimate and perfect revelation of God in Jesus Christ. While God spoke "at various times and and in various ways" through His prophets (as noted in [Hebrews 1:1](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1 - God Spoke Through Prophets")), He has in these last days "spoken to us by His Son" ([Hebrews 1:2](/hebrews/1-2 "Hebrews 1:2 - God Spoke Through His Son")). Jesus is not merely a messenger of God's word; He *is* the Word made flesh ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God"), [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). All the previous prophetic words pointed forward to Him, the one who fully embodies and perfectly communicates God's nature and will. In Christ, the fragmented revelations of the Old Testament find their complete and final expression, making Him the definitive "word of the LORD" to humanity, through whom we receive grace and truth ([John 1:17](/john/1-17 "John 1:17 - Grace and Truth Came Through Jesus Christ")).

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.