Ezekiel 16:1

KJV

¶ Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

The word of ADONAI came to me:

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

Again the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 16:1 serves as a foundational introductory statement, signaling the commencement of a new divine oracle within the book of Ezekiel. This brief verse, characteristic of prophetic literature, establishes the immediate and direct divine origin of the profound and often challenging message that follows, emphasizing that the subsequent detailed allegory concerning Jerusalem's spiritual unfaithfulness is not a human construct but an authoritative revelation from the LORD himself.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse acts as a pivotal transition, introducing one of the most extensive and vivid allegories in the book of Ezekiel. It immediately precedes the detailed and graphic depiction of Jerusalem as an abandoned infant, rescued and raised by God, only to become a beautiful queen who then turns to spiritual harlotry and idolatry. The formulaic opening "Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying" clearly delineates the start of a new prophetic message, setting it apart from previous oracles and preparing the audience for a prolonged and deeply symbolic discourse. This chapter, [Ezekiel 16](/ezekiel/16 "Ezekiel 16 - The Allegory of Unfaithful Jerusalem"), is a powerful indictment of Jerusalem's historical unfaithfulness, framed within a narrative of divine grace and subsequent betrayal. It stands as a prime example of Ezekiel's use of extended metaphor to convey complex theological truths about God's covenant relationship with Israel.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Ezekiel ministered during the Babylonian exile, a period of profound national crisis for Judah. Having been deported to Babylon with the first wave of exiles in 597 BCE, Ezekiel's prophecies primarily address the spiritual state of the exiles and the impending, then realized, destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in 586 BCE. The audience for this message would have been a people grappling with the consequences of their sin, questioning God's justice, and struggling with their identity. The "word of the LORD" coming to a prophet in exile underscored God's continued presence and communication with His people, even in foreign lands and during times of judgment. The allegorical nature of [Ezekiel 16](/ezekiel/16 "Ezekiel 16 - The Allegory of Unfaithful Jerusalem") would have resonated deeply within a culture that understood and appreciated rich storytelling and symbolic language for conveying moral and theological lessons, making the message both impactful and memorable for a people in distress.
* **Key Themes:** The primary theme introduced by this verse is **Divine Revelation** and **Prophetic Authority**. The recurring phrase "the word of the LORD came unto me" (found throughout [Ezekiel](/ezekiel/1 "The Book of Ezekiel") and other prophetic books like [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/1 "The Book of Jeremiah") and [Isaiah](/isaiah/1 "The Book of Isaiah")) underscores that the message originates from God Himself, not from human wisdom or speculation. This establishes the divine authority and truthfulness of the subsequent prophecy, validating Ezekiel's role as God's spokesperson. It also highlights God's active engagement with His people, even in their unfaithfulness, demonstrating His commitment to speak truth and call them to repentance. The phrase also serves as a **Preamble to Judgment and Restoration**, as many of Ezekiel's oracles, introduced by this formula, detail both the reasons for God's judgment and the eventual hope of restoration, as seen in passages like [Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - New Heart and Spirit").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **word (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** This term is far richer than a mere utterance. It signifies not only spoken language but also a matter, a thing, an affair, a decree, or even an act. In this context, "the word of the LORD" implies a definitive, authoritative, and active communication from God that carries the weight of His will and purpose. It is not just information but a divine pronouncement that shapes reality and reveals truth.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the sacred, covenantal name of God, often transliterated as Yahweh. It emphasizes God's self-existence, eternality, and His personal relationship with Israel as their covenant-keeping God. The use of YHWH here underscores that the message is from the supreme, sovereign God who is intimately involved with His people, even when delivering messages of judgment.
* **saying (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** Derived from a primitive root meaning "to say," this verb indicates direct speech. Its inclusion emphasizes that the "word" is not merely an impression or a general sense, but a clear, articulate, and specific message from God, directly communicated to the prophet for transmission to the people. It highlights the verbal and explicit nature of the divine revelation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ Again":** This introductory particle, often rendered "and it came to pass" or "now," signifies a continuation or resumption of divine communication. It indicates that this is not a one-off event but part of an ongoing pattern of God speaking to Ezekiel, reinforcing the prophet's consistent role as a recipient of God's messages. It suggests a new, distinct oracle is about to be delivered.
* **"the word of the LORD came unto me":** This is a classic prophetic formula, common throughout the Old Testament. It unequivocally states the divine origin of the message. "The word of the LORD" (dabar YHWH) emphasizes that the message is God's own authoritative utterance, not Ezekiel's personal opinion or interpretation. "Came unto me" highlights the direct, personal, and undeniable nature of this revelation to the prophet.
* **"saying,":** This participle indicates that what follows is the direct content of the divine word. It prepares the reader for the subsequent discourse, which will be the very words spoken by the LORD through Ezekiel. It signifies that the prophet is merely the conduit, faithfully relaying God's message.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 16:1 primarily employs a **Prophetic Formula**. This recurring linguistic pattern ("the word of the LORD came unto me, saying") serves as a formal and authoritative declaration, immediately signaling to the audience that what follows is divinely inspired and carries the weight of God's own voice. This device establishes the prophet's **Authority** and the message's **Divine Origin**, ensuring the audience understands the gravity and truthfulness of the revelation. The use of "Again" further suggests **Repetition** of this divine encounter, reinforcing the continuous nature of God's communication with His chosen messenger and preparing the reader for another significant pronouncement. It also subtly employs **Anticipation**, as the formula creates a sense of expectation for the profound and often challenging message that is about to unfold.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 16:1 profoundly underscores the active and communicative nature of God, who consistently speaks to His people, even in judgment and exile. It establishes the bedrock principle of divine revelation, affirming that the truths conveyed through the prophets are not human inventions but direct, authoritative messages from the Creator of the universe. This verse sets the stage for understanding the entire prophetic corpus as God's ongoing dialogue with humanity, revealing His character, His will, and His covenant faithfulness, even when met with human unfaithfulness. It highlights the critical role of the prophet as a divinely appointed messenger, a conduit for God's truth, and emphasizes the imperative for humanity to listen and respond to God's spoken word.

* [Jeremiah 1:4](/jeremiah/1-4 "Jeremiah 1:4 - The Word of the Lord Comes to Jeremiah")
* [Isaiah 1:1](/isaiah/1-1 "Isaiah 1:1 - The Vision of Isaiah")
* [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Speaks Through His Son")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Though a brief introductory verse, Ezekiel 16:1 carries immense weight for contemporary believers. It serves as a powerful reminder that God is a speaking God, actively engaged with His creation and persistent in communicating His truth. Just as He spoke directly to Ezekiel in a time of national crisis, He continues to speak to us today through His inspired Word, the Bible. This calls us to cultivate a posture of attentive listening and reverent submission to Scripture, recognizing that within its pages lies the authoritative "word of the LORD." This verse challenges us to approach God's Word not as mere human literature but as divine revelation, capable of confronting, comforting, and transforming. It encourages us to be prepared for the often uncomfortable truths that God's word may reveal about our own spiritual condition, just as the subsequent allegory in Ezekiel 16 would expose Jerusalem's deep-seated unfaithfulness. Our spiritual health depends on our willingness to hear and obey the voice of God, trusting in His wisdom and sovereignty.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the phrase "the word of the LORD came unto me" impact your understanding of the Bible's authority?**
* **In what ways do you actively cultivate a posture of listening for God's voice in your daily life, particularly through His written Word?**
* **What difficult truths might God's Word be speaking to you or your community today, and how are you responding to them?**

### FAQ

**Why is the phrase "Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying" so common in prophetic books?**

Answer: This phrase, or a close variation, is a foundational prophetic formula used to establish the divine origin and authority of the message that follows. It serves several crucial purposes: it authenticates the prophet as a genuine messenger of God, distinguishes the divine message from human opinion, emphasizes the direct and undeniable nature of God's communication, and signals to the audience that a new, authoritative revelation is about to be delivered. The "Again" part specifically indicates a recurring pattern of God's active engagement with His chosen prophet, reinforcing the continuous nature of divine revelation during that period. It's a way of saying, "Pay attention, this is not from me, but directly from God!" This formula is seen throughout books like [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/1 "The Book of Jeremiah"), [Isaiah](/isaiah/1 "The Book of Isaiah"), and [Hosea](/hosea/1 "The Book of Hosea"), underscoring the consistent manner in which God revealed His will to His people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezekiel 16:1 directly announces a specific prophetic oracle, it points to a profound Christ-centered fulfillment by highlighting the very nature of God's communication. The "word of the LORD" ultimately finds its most perfect and complete embodiment in Jesus Christ, who is Himself the living Word of God. As [John 1:1-3](/john/1-1 "John 1:1-3 - The Word Was God") declares, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made." Jesus is not merely a messenger of God's word, but the very personification of it, the ultimate and final revelation of God to humanity. [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Speaks Through His Son") beautifully articulates this progression: "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, every instance of "the word of the LORD" coming to a prophet foreshadows the coming of the Incarnate Word, through whom God's message of salvation and reconciliation is fully and finally delivered, culminating in the gospel message of [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World").

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.