Ezekiel 17:1

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And 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

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

American Standard Version

And the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 17:1 introduces a new, significant prophetic oracle from the LORD to the prophet Ezekiel, serving as a foundational declaration of divine origin and authority for the intricate parable that follows. This concise formula, characteristic of prophetic literature, immediately establishes that the subsequent message is not of human devising but a direct, authoritative communication from God, demanding the attention and reverence of its audience, the Judean exiles in Babylon.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse acts as a standard prophetic superscription, marking the beginning of a distinct new message within the Book of Ezekiel. Following a series of prophecies concerning Jerusalem's judgment and the false prophets in previous chapters, Ezekiel 17 initiates the complex parable of the two great eagles and the vine. This intricate allegory, detailed from [Ezekiel 17:2](/ezekiel/17-2 "Ezekiel 17:2 - The Parable of the Eagles and the Vine") onward, symbolizes Judah's political alliances, particularly with Egypt, and its rebellion against Babylon, ultimately leading to its downfall. The consistent use of "the word of the LORD came unto me" throughout Ezekiel's prophecy, as seen from his initial call in [Ezekiel 1:3](/ezekiel/1-3 "Ezekiel 1:3 - Ezekiel's Call by the Chebar Canal"), reinforces the divine authority behind every message he delivers, ensuring the audience understood the gravity and source of the forthcoming revelation.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ezekiel, a priest, was among the first wave of Judean exiles deported to Babylon in 597 BCE, settling by the Chebar Canal, as noted in [Ezekiel 1:1](/ezekiel/1-1 "Ezekiel 1:1 - Ezekiel's Location in Exile"). In ancient Near Eastern cultures, divine communication was often sought through various means, but direct prophetic revelation was considered the most authoritative. The phrase "the word of the LORD came unto me" was a well-understood formula in Israelite prophecy, signifying that the prophet was a direct conduit for God's will. For the exiles, living in a foreign land and grappling with the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, such an opening affirmed that God had not abandoned His people but was actively communicating His purposes, even in their dire circumstances, providing both judgment and, eventually, hope.

* **Key Themes:** The primary theme underscored by this verse is **Divine Revelation**, emphasizing God's initiative and active engagement in communicating His will to humanity. The phrase "the word of the LORD came unto me" highlights that God is a speaking God who chooses to reveal Himself and His plans to His chosen servants. This directly contributes to the theme of **Prophetic Authority**, validating Ezekiel's role as God's legitimate messenger. For the exiles, this opening assures them that the forthcoming message is not merely human opinion but a direct, sovereign pronouncement from the LORD, demanding their full attention and obedience. This formula also signals the **Beginning of a New Oracle**, indicating a distinct shift in the prophetic message, often introducing a new parable, vision, or judgment, a pattern seen across prophetic literature, for example, in [Jeremiah 1:2](/jeremiah/1-2 "Jeremiah 1:2 - Jeremiah's Call") and [Amos 7:1](/amos/7-1 "Amos 7:1 - Amos's Vision of Locusts").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **word (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** From H1697, this term is far more expansive than a mere utterance. It encompasses a "matter," "thing," "affair," "decree," "business," or "report." When used in the context of "the word of the LORD," it signifies not just spoken communication but the active, effective, and authoritative will, plan, and deed of God. It implies a divine directive that carries inherent power and consequence, shaping events and realities.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** From H3068, this is the covenant name of God, often transliterated as "Jehovah" or rendered as "Yahweh." It denotes the self-Existent, Eternal God, the One who is, who was, and who is to come. The use of this specific name emphasizes that the message originates from the sovereign, covenant-keeping God of Israel, the ultimate authority in all matters, reinforcing the absolute truth and reliability of the message.
* **saying (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** From H559, this primitive root means "to say," but with great latitude. It implies an active, intentional, and often authoritative declaration. In this context, it signifies that the "word of the LORD" is not just a passive thought or concept but an active, spoken communication, a direct pronouncement that is about to unfold in specific details, indicating the immediate delivery of a divine message.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the word of the LORD":** This opening phrase immediately establishes the divine origin and supreme authority of the message that follows. It is not Ezekiel's own insight or opinion, but a direct revelation from YHWH, the self-existent, covenant God of Israel. This sets the tone for the entire oracle, demanding reverence and attention from the audience.
* **"came unto me":** This clause emphasizes the personal, direct, and active nature of God's communication to Ezekiel. The "word" is not a static concept but a dynamic entity that actively "comes" to the prophet, signifying a divine encounter and the impartation of a specific message directly into Ezekiel's consciousness or experience. This highlights Ezekiel's role as a chosen vessel for God's revelation.
* **"saying":** This final word indicates that the "word" that came to Ezekiel is not merely an impression or a general sense, but a specific, articulate message ready to be delivered. It acts as a direct introduction to the content of the oracle, signaling that the detailed parable or prophecy is about to unfold as a direct utterance from the LORD through His prophet.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 17:1 primarily employs a **Prophetic Formula**, a standard literary device used throughout the Old Testament prophetic books to introduce divine revelation. This formula, "And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying," immediately establishes the divine origin and authority of the subsequent message, leaving no doubt that the words are God's and not the prophet's own. This also highlights **Divine Agency**, emphasizing God as the active speaker and initiator of the message, with Ezekiel serving as His passive recipient and faithful conduit. The consistent **Repetition** of this formula throughout the book of Ezekiel reinforces the authenticity and continuous nature of God's communication to His people, even in exile, building a framework of divine authority for every oracle that follows.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 17:1 powerfully underscores the biblical truth that God is a speaking God, actively engaged with His creation and His people. This verse is a testament to the ongoing nature of divine revelation, where God chooses to communicate His will, purposes, and judgments through chosen individuals. The authority of this "word of the LORD" is absolute, carrying the weight of the Almighty's character and power. Just as God's creative word brought the cosmos into being, His prophetic word shapes history and reveals His redemptive plan. For believers, this foundational principle affirms that God's communication is not limited to ancient times but continues through His inspired Scripture, which is His primary means of speaking to us today, guiding, correcting, and nourishing our souls.

* [2 Timothy 3:16](/2_timothy/3-16 "2 Timothy 3:16 - All Scripture is God-breathed")
* [Hebrews 4:12](/hebrews/4-12 "Hebrews 4:12 - The Word of God is Living and Active")
* [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 17:1 serves as a profound reminder that we serve a God who speaks. In an age saturated with human voices and opinions, this verse calls us back to the singular, authoritative voice of the Creator. While we may not experience direct auditory encounters as Ezekiel did, God's "word" still "comes unto us" through the Holy Scriptures. This demands from us a posture of humility, attentiveness, and obedience. Just as the exiles needed to discern God's message through Ezekiel amidst their despair and confusion, we are called to diligently study, meditate upon, and apply the written Word of God. Recognizing the divine origin of Scripture transforms our reading from a mere academic exercise into a sacred encounter with the living God, enabling us to understand His will, navigate life's complexities, and grow in spiritual maturity.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does recognizing the divine origin of Scripture, as highlighted in Ezekiel 17:1, impact your approach to reading and studying the Bible?**
* **In what ways do you actively seek to hear and discern "the word of the LORD" in your daily life today?**
* **What practical steps can you take to ensure that God's authoritative word, rather than human opinions or cultural trends, is the primary guide for your decisions and beliefs?**

### FAQ
**Why is the phrase "the word of the LORD came unto me" so frequently repeated in prophetic books like Ezekiel?**

Answer: This phrase is a crucial prophetic formula used repeatedly to emphasize the divine origin and authority of the message being delivered. Its frequent repetition serves several vital purposes: first, it authenticates the prophet's message, assuring the audience that the words are not the prophet's own thoughts or opinions but direct revelations from God. Second, it underscores God's active involvement and initiative in communicating with His people, even in times of judgment or exile. Third, it signals the beginning of a new oracle or a distinct section of prophecy, helping the audience or reader to follow the flow of divine revelation. For example, in [Jeremiah 1:2](/jeremiah/1-2 "Jeremiah 1:2 - The Word of the Lord to Jeremiah"), this formula establishes Jeremiah's commission, just as it does for Ezekiel throughout his book, starting from [Ezekiel 1:3](/ezekiel/1-3 "Ezekiel 1:3 - Ezekiel's Prophetic Call").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezekiel 17:1 speaks of the "word of the LORD" coming to a prophet in a specific historical context, its deepest Christ-centered fulfillment is found in the person of Jesus Christ Himself. The Old Testament "word of the LORD" was God's communication, but in the New Testament, God's ultimate and final "word" is His Son. 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 "Word" (Greek: _Logos_) is not merely a message but a divine person, who "became flesh and dwelt among us" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). Therefore, the divine communication that "came unto" Ezekiel finds its perfect and complete embodiment in Jesus, through whom God has now spoken definitively. [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken Through His Son") beautifully articulates this, stating, "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 coming of the "word of the LORD" to Ezekiel foreshadows the ultimate coming of the living Word, Jesus Christ, who is the full and final revelation of God's character, will, and redemptive plan for humanity.

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.