Ezekiel 2:4

KJV

For [they are] impudent children and stiffhearted. I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD.

KJV (with Strong's)

For they are impudent {H7186}{H6440} children {H1121} and stiffhearted {H2389}{H3820}. I do send {H7971} thee unto them; and thou shalt say {H559} unto them, Thus saith {H559} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Because they are defiant, hardhearted children, I am sending you; and you are to tell them, 'Here is what Adonai ELOHIM says.'

Berean Standard Bible

They are obstinate and stubborn children. I am sending you to them, and you are to say to them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says.’

American Standard Version

And the children are impudent and stiffhearted: I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 2:4 powerfully encapsulates the challenging nature of the prophet Ezekiel's divine commission, revealing his audience, the exiled Israelites, as profoundly spiritually hardened and defiantly resistant to God's word. Despite their "impudent" and "stiffhearted" disposition, the verse unequivocally declares that God Himself is sending Ezekiel to them, thereby emphasizing the divine origin and unassailable authority of the message he is to deliver: "Thus saith the Lord GOD." This declaration underscores both the persistent grace of God in speaking to a rebellious people and the weighty, non-negotiable responsibility placed upon the prophet to deliver an unpopular, yet vital, truth.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Ezekiel's awe-inspiring vision of God's glory and his initial, overwhelming commission. Having been prostrated by the divine presence and then commanded to stand and speak, [Ezekiel 2:4](/ezekiel/2-4 "Ezekiel 2:4 - Ezekiel's Commission to a Rebellious House") provides the crucial context for *whom* he is being sent to. It defines the character of his audience, revealing that his prophetic task will not be met with eager reception but with profound resistance. The description of the people as "impudent children and stiffhearted" sets the somber tone for the entire book, explaining the necessity of God's stern messages of judgment and the prophet's often-unpopular ministry. This divine mandate, "I do send thee unto them," directly links Ezekiel's message to God's sovereign will, preparing the reader for the authoritative pronouncements that characterize the rest of the book, particularly as seen in the broader narrative of [Ezekiel 1-3](/ezekiel/1-3 "Ezekiel's Call and Commission").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ezekiel was called to prophesy among the Jewish exiles by the Chebar River in Babylon, following the first deportation of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar in 597 BC. These were not unchurched masses, but the covenant people of God, who, despite experiencing the initial stages of divine judgment through exile, remained largely unrepentant and spiritually obtuse. The terms "impudent" and "stiffhearted" echo a long history of Israel's rebellion against Yahweh, reminiscent of their "stiff-necked" posture in the wilderness, as described in passages like [Exodus 32:9](/exodus/32-9 "Exodus 32:9 - Israel's Stiff-Necked Rebellion"). Culturally, a "hard face" or "hard heart" signified an unyielding, unashamed, and obstinate disposition, resistant to persuasion or conviction. Ezekiel's ministry was thus directed at a people who, in their suffering, still refused to acknowledge their sin or return to God, making his message of both judgment and future restoration particularly challenging to deliver and receive. Their spiritual condition was a deep-seated rejection of God's covenant.
* **Key Themes:** [Ezekiel 2:4](/ezekiel/2-4 "Ezekiel 2:4 - The Nature of Israel's Rebellion") is foundational for several key themes woven throughout the book of Ezekiel. First, it strongly emphasizes **Human Rebellion and Stubbornness**, characterizing the exiles as defiant and spiritually hardened. This condition stands in stark contrast to God's holiness and justice, underscoring the necessity of God's severe judgments and the profound need for a spiritual transformation, a "new heart" and "new spirit" that God later promises in [Ezekiel 36:26](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26 - The Promise of a New Heart and Spirit"). Second, the phrase "I do send thee unto them" highlights **Divine Commission and Sovereignty**, asserting that Ezekiel's prophetic ministry is not self-initiated but a direct, authoritative mandate from God. This affirms God's active involvement in the affairs of His people, even in exile, demonstrating His persistent engagement despite their unfaithfulness. Third, the concluding "Thus saith the Lord GOD" establishes **Prophetic Authority and the Power of God's Word**. This formula, a hallmark of prophetic literature, signifies that the message is not Ezekiel's opinion but the infallible word of Yahweh, demanding absolute attention and obedience, regardless of the listeners' disposition. This divine authority is crucial for understanding the weight of Ezekiel's pronouncements throughout his ministry.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **impudent (Hebrew, _qâsheh pânîym'_):** From H7186 (qâsheh), meaning "severe, hard, grievous, impudent," and H6440 (pânîym), meaning "face." The phrase literally translates to "hard of face" or "hard of forehead." This idiom signifies a lack of shame, an unyielding or obstinate disposition, and boldness in defiance. It describes someone who is not easily embarrassed or swayed, exhibiting a brazen and unrepentant attitude even in the face of divine truth or rebuke.
* **stiffhearted (Hebrew, _châzâq lêb'_):** From H2389 (châzâq), meaning "strong, hard, stiff(-hearted)," and H3820 (lêb), meaning "heart" (figuratively for feelings, will, intellect, or the center of anything). This phrase literally means "strong of heart" or "hard of heart." It denotes spiritual insensitivity, an unwillingness to be moved by God's truth, and a stubborn resistance to His will and commands. It describes a spiritual condition characterized by an inability or refusal to repent or respond to divine prompting.
* **Lord GOD (Hebrew, _ʼĂdônây Yᵉhôvih'_):** From H136 (ʼĂdônây), an emphatic form of "master," used as a proper name for God, meaning "the Lord," and H3069 (Yᵉhôvih), a variation of YHWH (the tetragrammaton), the covenant name of God, pronounced as Elohim by Jews to avoid repetition of Adonai. This combined title emphasizes the absolute sovereignty and covenant faithfulness of God. It signifies that the message originates from the supreme Master of all creation, who is also intimately bound in covenant relationship with Israel, lending ultimate authority and weight to the prophetic utterance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For [they are] impudent children and stiffhearted."**: This initial clause provides the divine assessment of the audience. It describes the exiled Israelites not merely as disobedient, but as possessing a deep-seated, defiant spiritual hardness. They are "impudent" (brazen, unashamed, hard-faced) and "stiffhearted" (unresponsive, resistant, hard-hearted), indicating a profound spiritual rebellion that makes them unwilling to receive God's message or repent. The term "children" here does not imply innocence but rather their status as God's offspring who have gone astray, highlighting the tragedy of their stubbornness and the deep disappointment of their divine Father.
* **"I do send thee unto them;"**: This phrase underscores the divine initiative and the non-negotiable nature of Ezekiel's commission. Despite the foreknowledge of their resistance, God Himself is actively sending the prophet. This emphasizes God's sovereignty and His persistent grace, even in judgment, as He continues to speak to His rebellious people, offering them a chance to hear His word and respond. This divine act establishes their culpability if they refuse to listen, demonstrating that their destruction is a result of their own choices, not God's neglect.
* **"and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD."**: This concluding clause establishes the absolute authority of the message Ezekiel is to deliver. It is not Ezekiel's own wisdom, opinion, or judgment, but the very word of the sovereign, covenant-keeping God. The prophetic formula "Thus saith the Lord GOD" is a powerful declaration of divine revelation, demanding attention, obedience, and accountability from the hearers, regardless of their personal feelings or receptivity. It signifies that the message carries the full weight of divine truth, power, and the ultimate consequences of acceptance or rejection.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 2:4 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message with striking clarity and impact. **Metaphor** and **Idiom** are central to describing the Israelites' spiritual condition. The phrases "impudent children" (literally "hard of face" or "hard of forehead") and "stiffhearted" (literally "strong of heart" or "hard of heart") are not literal descriptions of physical attributes but powerful metaphorical expressions of their spiritual insensitivity, defiance, and unyielding rebellion against God. These idioms paint a vivid picture of a people unashamed in their sin and unwilling to be moved or persuaded by divine truth. Furthermore, the recurring phrase "Thus saith the Lord GOD" functions as a **Divine Formula** or **Prophetic Oracle Formula**. This formula is a hallmark of prophetic literature, serving to authenticate the message as originating directly from God Himself, thereby establishing the **Authority** of the prophet's words and demanding an unquestioning reception from the audience. The verse also implicitly uses **Contrast**, juxtaposing the supreme authority, holiness, and persistent grace of the sending God with the profound stubbornness, rebellion, and moral blindness of the people to whom the message is sent.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 2:4 profoundly illustrates God's unwavering commitment to communicate His truth, even to those who are most resistant. It reveals that divine judgment does not preclude divine communication; rather, God's justice is always tempered with a persistent call to repentance, ensuring that humanity is without excuse. The "impudent" and "stiffhearted" nature of the Israelites highlights the pervasive human tendency towards spiritual hardness, a condition that obstructs the reception of God's word and necessitates divine intervention. Yet, God's act of "sending" Ezekiel, coupled with the authoritative "Thus saith the Lord GOD," underscores His sovereignty and the inherent power of His word to confront, convict, and ultimately, to transform. This verse sets the stage for the entire prophetic ministry, where God's truth is declared regardless of its popularity or immediate reception, emphasizing the prophet's fidelity to the divine message above all else. It is a testament to God's character that He continues to speak even when His voice is met with defiance.

* [Exodus 32:9](/exodus/32-9 "Exodus 32:9 - Israel, a stiff-necked people")
* [Jeremiah 7:26](/jeremiah/7-26 "Jeremiah 7:26 - Disobedience and stiff necks")
* [Acts 7:51](/acts/7-51 "Acts 7:51 - Stephen's rebuke of the stiff-necked")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 2:4 serves as a timeless mirror for our own hearts and the communities we inhabit. It challenges us to honestly assess our receptivity to God's truth, especially when it confronts our comfort zones, our cherished biases, or our sinful habits. Are we, like the exiles, "impudent" and "stiffhearted," exhibiting a brazen defiance or a subtle, unyielding resistance to the Holy Spirit's promptings or the clear teachings of Scripture? God's persistence in sending His word, even to the hardened, is a testament to His enduring love and desire for reconciliation. This verse reminds us that genuine spiritual growth often begins with acknowledging our own stubbornness and cultivating a humble, teachable spirit. It also affirms the enduring authority of God's Word, urging us to approach Scripture not as mere human opinion or historical text but as the living, powerful, and authoritative voice of the Lord GOD, demanding our attention, obedience, and transformation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be exhibiting "impudent" (brazen, unashamed) or "stiffhearted" (unresponsive, resistant) tendencies towards God's will or His Word?**
* **How do I typically respond when God's truth challenges my personal comfort, my ingrained habits, or my preconceived notions?**
* **What does Ezekiel's challenging commission teach me about the nature of faithful obedience, even when the message is unpopular or the audience is unreceptive?**
* **How can I cultivate a more humble and receptive heart, actively seeking to hear and obey "Thus saith the Lord GOD" in my daily life?**

### FAQ
**Why does God send a prophet to people He knows are "impudent and stiffhearted"?**

Answer: God's decision to send Ezekiel to a rebellious people highlights His multifaceted character, encompassing both justice and persistent mercy. First, it demonstrates divine justice: by sending a prophet, God ensures that His people are without excuse. They cannot claim ignorance of His will or their sin, as He has clearly communicated His expectations and warnings. The message serves as a clear warning and a call to repentance, establishing their culpability if they refuse to listen. Second, it underscores God's enduring patience and grace. Even in judgment, God provides an opportunity for His people to turn back to Him. His desire is not merely to punish but to redeem and restore. The prophetic word, though often harsh, is ultimately an act of love, aiming to bring about repentance and restoration. Finally, it vindicates God's righteousness before all nations, demonstrating that He is just in His judgments because He has consistently warned and provided a path to reconciliation, even to those with a long history of rebellion, as seen throughout Israel's story in the Old Testament, such as in [Exodus 32:9](/exodus/32-9 "Exodus 32:9 - Israel's Stiff-Necked Rebellion").

**What is the significance of the phrase "Thus saith the Lord GOD"?**

Answer: The phrase "Thus saith the Lord GOD" (Hebrew: `kōh ʼāmar ʼĂdônây Yᵉhôvih`) is a foundational prophetic formula, appearing hundreds of times in the Old Testament. Its significance is profound:
* **Divine Authority:** It unequivocally declares that the message is not the prophet's own opinion, wisdom, or interpretation, but a direct, infallible revelation from God Himself. It is God speaking through His chosen messenger, lending ultimate weight to the words.
* **Ultimate Source:** It identifies the speaker as `ʼĂdônây Yᵉhôvih`, emphasizing God's absolute sovereignty ("Lord," `ʼĂdônây`) and His covenant faithfulness as the self-existent, covenant-keeping God ("GOD," `Yᵉhôvih`). This combination underscores the supreme power and unwavering trustworthiness of the message's origin.
* **Demand for Obedience:** Because the message comes directly from the sovereign Lord, it carries ultimate weight and demands immediate and unquestioning obedience. It implies accountability for those who hear it, whether they choose to listen or disregard it, as their response is to God Himself.
* **Prophetic Legitimacy:** It authenticates the prophet's role as a true messenger of God, distinguishing genuine prophecy from human speculation or false claims. It is the hallmark of a divinely inspired utterance, ensuring that the hearers understand the divine imperative behind the words.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 2:4, describing Israel's hardened heart and God's persistent sending of a prophet, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as Ezekiel was sent to a rebellious people, so too was Jesus, the [Word made flesh](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), sent to His own people who, for the most part, were "impudent" and "stiffhearted" towards His divine authority and message. He lamented over Jerusalem, saying, "[How often I wanted to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were unwilling!](/matthew/23-37 "Matthew 23:37 - Jesus Laments Over Jerusalem")" Jesus Himself embodied the "Thus saith the Lord GOD," for His words were not merely human wisdom but the very words of the Father, spoken with unparalleled authority and power, as He Himself declared in [John 12:49-50](/john/12-49 "John 12:49-50 - Jesus Speaks the Father's Words").

The fundamental problem of the "stiffhearted" is definitively addressed through Christ's atoning work. The Old Testament prophets, including Ezekiel, foretold a day when God would provide a new heart and a new spirit, transforming the very nature of human rebellion ([Ezekiel 36:26](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26 - A New Heart and a New Spirit")). This promise is gloriously fulfilled in the New Covenant, inaugurated by Christ's sacrificial death and resurrection. Through faith in Him, the Holy Spirit is given, transforming hearts of stone into hearts of flesh, enabling true repentance, genuine faith, and willing obedience ([Romans 2:29](/romans/2-29 "Romans 2:29 - Circumcision of the Heart by the Spirit")). Thus, while Ezekiel faced resistance, Christ's sacrifice provides the very means by which hardened hearts can finally yield to the "Lord GOD," experiencing forgiveness, spiritual renewal, and truly hearing and obeying the divine word, leading to eternal life.

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 3:7

But the house of Israel will not hearken unto thee; for they will not hearken unto me: for all the house of Israel [are] impudent and hardhearted.

Psalms 95:8

Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, [and] as [in] the day of temptation in the wilderness:

Isaiah 48:4

Because I knew that thou [art] obstinate, and thy neck [is] an iron sinew, and thy brow brass;

Jeremiah 6:15

Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time [that] I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 5:3

O LORD, [are] not thine eyes upon the truth? thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, [but] they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return.

2 Chronicles 36:13

And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God: but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart from turning unto the LORD God of Israel.

Jeremiah 8:12

Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore shall they fall among them that fall: in the time of their visitation they shall be cast down, saith the LORD.