Ezekiel 17:1

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

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

The word of ADONAI came to me:

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

And the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying,

Ezekiel 17:1 serves as a concise but crucial introduction to a significant prophetic message from God to the prophet Ezekiel. This verse is characteristic of prophetic literature, signaling the divine origin and authority behind the words that follow.

Context

This verse marks the beginning of a new oracle within the Book of Ezekiel. Ezekiel, a priest living among the Judean exiles in Babylon (specifically by the Chebar Canal, as mentioned in Ezekiel 1:1), consistently prefaces his messages with this phrase. It immediately establishes that the subsequent content is not Ezekiel's own opinion or wisdom, but a direct utterance from the Almighty. The chapters preceding this one deal with various judgments and prophecies against Judah and Jerusalem, setting the stage for the complex parable of the two eagles and the vine that begins in Ezekiel 17:2, which symbolizes Judah's political alliances and rebellion against Babylon.

Key Themes

Divine Revelation: The primary theme is God's active engagement with humanity through direct communication. The phrase "the word of the LORD came unto me" underscores that the message is divinely inspired and carries ultimate authority. This highlights God's initiative in revealing His will and purposes to His chosen servants.
Prophetic Authority: For the audience, whether exiles or those remaining in Judah, this opening validates Ezekiel's role as God's messenger. It assures them that what they are about to hear is not merely human opinion but a direct pronouncement from the sovereign Lord, demanding attention and obedience.
Beginning of a New Oracle: This verse acts as a chapter break, indicating a distinct new prophecy or a new facet of God's ongoing communication regarding His plans for Israel and the nations.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the word of the LORD came unto me" is a standard Hebrew prophetic formula, often translated from the Hebrew davar Yahweh (דְּבַר יְהוָה) for "word of the LORD" and the verb hayah (הָיָה), meaning "to be" or "to come into being." This construction emphasizes the active, dynamic nature of God's communication—His word is not static but actively "comes" to the prophet, indicating a direct and forceful divine encounter. This formula is found throughout the prophetic books, establishing the authenticity and power of the message (e.g., Jeremiah 1:2, Amos 7:1).

Practical Application

While we may not receive direct audible words from God as Ezekiel did, this verse reminds us that God is a speaking God who desires to communicate with His people. For believers today, God's primary revelation is found in the Holy Scriptures, His written word, which is "given by inspiration of God" (2 Timothy 3:16). Just as the exiles needed to listen carefully to Ezekiel's words, we are called to diligently study and obey God's word, seeking to understand His will and purposes for our lives and for the world. This verse encourages us to approach the Bible with reverence, recognizing that within its pages, the very "word of the LORD" comes to us.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

No cross-references found for this verse.