Ezekiel 2:8

But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee.

But thou, son {H1121} of man {H120}, hear {H8085} what I say {H1696} unto thee; Be not {H1961} thou rebellious {H4805} like that rebellious {H4805} house {H1004}: open {H6475} thy mouth {H6310}, and eat {H398} that I give {H5414} thee.

But you, human being, hear what I am telling you: don't you be rebellious like that rebellious house. Open your mouth, and eat what I am about to give you."

And you, son of man, listen to what I tell you. Do not be rebellious like that rebellious house. Open your mouth and eat what I give you.”

But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that which I give thee.

Context

Ezekiel 2:8 is a pivotal moment in the prophet Ezekiel's divine commission. Following a profound vision of God's glory and a call to ministry, the Lord directly addresses Ezekiel. This verse sets the tone for his challenging prophetic task. Ezekiel was among the Jewish exiles in Babylon, sent there during the Babylonian captivity. God is preparing him to speak to a deeply rebellious and stubborn people—the house of Israel—who have consistently turned away from Him.

Key Themes

  • Divine Authority and Command: The verse begins with a direct, authoritative command from God to Ezekiel, emphasizing the source and weight of the message.
  • The Prophet's Required Obedience: Ezekiel is explicitly warned not to follow the pattern of the "rebellious house" of Israel. His personal obedience is crucial for his ministry to be effective and for him to truly represent God.
  • Internalizing God's Word: The command to "open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee" is a powerful symbolic act. It signifies not just hearing or speaking God's word, but deeply internalizing it, making it a part of his very being, and fully assenting to its truth and content. This prepares him for the literal eating of the scroll in the next chapter.
  • Contrast with Israel's Stubbornness: The verse highlights the stark difference God expects from His prophet compared to the general disobedience and spiritual rebellion of the people he is sent to. The "rebellious house" refers to Israel's long history of defying God's laws and prophets, a theme woven throughout the Old Testament. Ezekiel 3:7 further elaborates on their hardness of heart.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Son of man" (Hebrew: ben 'adam): This common address to Ezekiel throughout the book (over 90 times) emphasizes his human frailty and mortality in contrast to the awesome majesty of God he has just encountered. It highlights that he is merely a man, dependent on divine power for his prophetic task. This title is also notably used by Jesus to describe Himself in the Gospels, though with a different theological significance.
  • "Rebellious" (Hebrew: meri): This word denotes a deep-seated obstinacy and defiance, often rooted in bitterness or resentment. It paints a picture of a people who have willfully and persistently resisted God's will.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 2:8 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Listen and Obey: Like Ezekiel, we are called to "hear what I say unto thee" and respond with obedience, rather than spiritual rebellion. This requires an open heart and a willingness to submit to God's will, even when it's challenging.
  • Internalize God's Word: The command to "eat" the word encourages us to not merely read or hear Scripture, but to meditate on it, digest it, and allow it to transform us from within. It speaks to the importance of spiritual nourishment derived directly from God's truth, leading to a deeper understanding and application of His commands.
  • Resist Spiritual Stubbornness: We are warned against the same "rebellious" spirit that characterized ancient Israel. Being open to conviction and correction from God is vital for spiritual growth and maturity.
  • Preparation for Service: God's call always involves preparation. Ezekiel's readiness to receive God's message, even before knowing its content, was foundational for his prophetic ministry, just as our willingness to receive and internalize God's word is essential for any form of Christian service. The literal fulfillment of this command is seen in Ezekiel 3:3.
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.

  • Revelation 10:9

    And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take [it], and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.

  • Jeremiah 15:16

    Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.

  • Isaiah 50:5

    The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back.

  • Ezekiel 3:1

    ¶ Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel.

  • Ezekiel 3:3

    And he said unto me, Son of man, cause thy belly to eat, and fill thy bowels with this roll that I give thee. Then did I eat [it]; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness.

  • 1 Peter 5:3

    Neither as being lords over [God's] heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

  • Ezekiel 3:10

    Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, all my words that I shall speak unto thee receive in thine heart, and hear with thine ears.

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