Ezekiel 24:20

KJV

Then I answered them, The word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

KJV (with Strong's)

Then I answered {H559} them, The word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068} came unto me, saying {H559},

Complete Jewish Bible

I answered them, "The word of ADONAI came to me, telling me

Berean Standard Bible

So I answered them, “The word of the LORD came to me, saying:

American Standard Version

Then I said unto them, The word of Jehovah came unto me, saying,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 24:20 marks a pivotal moment of divine revelation following the people's inquiry regarding Ezekiel's unusual behavior after his wife's death. This verse serves as a direct transition from human questioning to God's authoritative response, signaling the commencement of a profound prophetic explanation that unveils the symbolic meaning of Ezekiel's personal suffering and its chilling foreshadowing of Jerusalem's impending destruction and the profound grief of its inhabitants. It underscores the unyielding nature of God's communication and His sovereign control over historical events.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the people's direct question to Ezekiel in [Ezekiel 24:19](/ezekiel/24-19 "Ezekiel 24:19 - The People's Inquiry"), where they ask, "Will you not tell us what these things are to us, that you do them?" This inquiry is prompted by Ezekiel's obedience to God's command not to mourn publicly for his wife, who died suddenly (cf. [Ezekiel 24:15-18](/ezekiel/24-15 "Ezekiel 24:15-18 - Ezekiel's Personal Sign")). Ezekiel 24:20 thus initiates God's detailed explanation, which continues into [Ezekiel 24:21-24](/ezekiel/24-21 "Ezekiel 24:21-24 - The Meaning of the Sign"), revealing that Ezekiel's personal tragedy and his restrained mourning are a living parable for the overwhelming and unspeakable grief that will engulf the Israelites when the Temple, "the desire of their eyes," is destroyed, and their children are slain. The entire chapter functions as a powerful, somber oracle of judgment against Jerusalem, culminating in the complete silencing of Ezekiel's prophetic voice until the city's fall (cf. [Ezekiel 24:27](/ezekiel/24-27 "Ezekiel 24:27 - Ezekiel's Mute Period")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ezekiel ministered during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, specifically during the Babylonian exile. The first wave of exiles, including Ezekiel, had already been taken to Babylon in 597 BC, but Jerusalem and its Temple still stood, albeit under Babylonian suzerainty. Many remaining Judeans harbored false hopes of a swift return and believed Jerusalem was impregnable. The events described in [Ezekiel 24](/ezekiel/24 "Ezekiel 24 - The Boiling Pot and Ezekiel's Wife") take place just before the final siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar in 588 BC, which culminated in the city's and Temple's destruction in 586 BC. Culturally, mourning rituals were highly significant in ancient Israel, involving public displays of grief, weeping, tearing clothes, and using ashes. Ezekiel's prohibition from engaging in these customary practices made his behavior profoundly shocking and served as a powerful, unsettling sign to a people clinging to false security. The Temple, known as "the desire of their eyes" ([Ezekiel 24:21](/ezekiel/24-21 "Ezekiel 24:21 - The Temple as the Desire of Their Eyes")), was not merely a building but the very heart of their national and religious identity, symbolizing God's presence among them. Its destruction was an unthinkable catastrophe.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Ezekiel and the prophetic literature. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Authority and Revelation**. The phrase "The word of the LORD came unto me, saying" is a classic prophetic formula, emphasizing that the message is not Ezekiel's own interpretation or opinion but a direct, authoritative, and infallible communication from God (cf. [Jeremiah 1:9](/jeremiah/1-9 "Jeremiah 1:9 - God's Word in Jeremiah's Mouth") or [Isaiah 1:1](/isaiah/1-1 "Isaiah 1:1 - The Vision of Isaiah")). Secondly, it highlights Ezekiel's role as a **Prophetic Intermediary**. He is not just a speaker but a living sign, whose personal life and suffering are interwoven with God's message to a rebellious nation. This demonstrates God's willingness to use even the most intimate aspects of His servants' lives to convey His truth. Finally, the verse sets the stage for the theme of **Imminent Judgment and Divine Sovereignty**. While not explicitly stating the judgment, it initiates the explanation of a sign that points directly to the catastrophic destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, revealing God's absolute control over the destiny of His people and the nations, even in their darkest hours of suffering (cf. [Ezekiel 25](/ezekiel/25 "Ezekiel 25 - Oracles Against Neighboring Nations")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **answered (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** From the primitive root H559, meaning "to say" or "to speak," used with great latitude. In this context, it signifies Ezekiel's verbal response to the people's inquiry, but crucially, it is immediately qualified by the divine source of that answer. It highlights the prophet's role as a mouthpiece; his "answer" is not his own wisdom but a relay of God's message.
* **word (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** H1697, meaning "a word," but also by implication "a matter" or "a thing." This term is foundational to understanding prophetic revelation. It denotes not just spoken utterances but also divine decrees, commands, and the very substance of God's communication. When "the word of the LORD" comes, it carries inherent authority, power, and the capacity to bring about what it declares.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** H3068, referring to the self-Existent or Eternal God, the covenant name of God (Jehovah). This name emphasizes God's unchanging nature, His faithfulness to His covenant, and His absolute sovereignty. The "word of the LORD" is therefore the authoritative, eternal, and covenantally significant message from the one true God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then I answered them,"**: This clause signifies Ezekiel's direct engagement with the people's question posed in the preceding verse. It establishes a dialogue, positioning Ezekiel as the human recipient and conveyor of a message that the people are eager, yet perhaps fearful, to hear. His "answer" is not a personal opinion but a divinely commissioned response.
* **"The word of the LORD came unto me,"**: This is a classic prophetic formula, common throughout the Old Testament (e.g., in Jeremiah, Isaiah, Hosea). It emphatically declares the divine origin and absolute authority of the message that follows. It removes any doubt that what Ezekiel is about to say originates from God Himself, not from human wisdom, political analysis, or personal interpretation. This phrase underscores the prophet's role as a mere conduit for God's infallible truth.
* **"saying,"**: This final word acts as a direct transition, indicating that the divine message is about to be articulated. It sets the stage for the detailed explanation of the symbolic act (Ezekiel's lack of mourning) and its terrifying implications for Jerusalem and its inhabitants, which will unfold in the subsequent verses.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 24:20, though brief, is rich in literary significance. The most prominent device is the **Prophetic Formula**, "The word of the LORD came unto me, saying," which is a recurring and powerful literary convention in prophetic books. Its repetition serves to underscore the divine origin and unassailable authority of the message, establishing that the prophet is merely a mouthpiece for God. This formula acts as a **Framing Device**, signaling the transition from human inquiry to divine revelation and lending immense weight to the subsequent pronouncements. Furthermore, the verse employs **Direct Discourse**, presenting God's message as a direct address, which enhances its immediacy and impact. The entire preceding narrative of Ezekiel's symbolic action (his wife's death and his non-mourning) functions as **Symbolism** and **Allegory**, with this verse serving as the interpretive key, unlocking the deeper, terrifying meaning of the sign.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 24:20 stands as a testament to God's active engagement with humanity through divine revelation, particularly in times of crisis and judgment. It affirms the foundational theological truth that God is a speaking God, who does not leave His people in ignorance regarding His will, His judgments, or His plans. The "word of the LORD" is presented as the ultimate source of truth and understanding, capable of both exposing sin and revealing future events. This concept is central to the biblical understanding of prophecy, where the prophet is merely a vessel, ensuring that the message's power and authority reside solely with God. The verse also highlights the costly nature of prophetic ministry, as Ezekiel's personal suffering becomes an integral part of God's communication.

* [Jeremiah 1:4-9](/jeremiah/1-4 "Jeremiah 1:4-9 - Jeremiah's Call and God's Word")
* [Amos 3:7](/amos/3-7 "Amos 3:7 - God Reveals His Plan to Prophets")
* [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God's Revelation Through Prophets and Son")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 24:20 serves as a powerful reminder that God communicates with His people, and His word carries absolute authority. In a world often characterized by noise, confusion, and conflicting narratives, this verse calls us to prioritize and diligently attend to the "word of the LORD." Just as the Israelites sought an explanation for Ezekiel's perplexing actions, we too often face bewildering circumstances in our lives and in the world. This verse encourages us to turn to God's revealed truth, found in Scripture, as the ultimate source of understanding and guidance. It challenges us to move beyond superficial explanations and to seek God's deeper, often uncomfortable, truths about sin, judgment, and His sovereign plan. Embracing the authority of God's word means allowing it to shape our perspectives, challenge our assumptions, and guide our responses, even when its message is difficult or demands personal sacrifice, much like it did for Ezekiel.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of "the word of the LORD" coming to Ezekiel encourage or challenge my own approach to Scripture?**
* **In what areas of my life am I seeking human answers rather than diligently listening for God's authoritative word?**
* **What difficult truths might God be communicating through circumstances in my life or in the world that require me to listen attentively, even if uncomfortable?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater reverence for the divine origin and authority of the Bible in my daily life?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the phrase "The word of the LORD came unto me, saying" in prophetic books?**
Answer: This phrase is a crucial prophetic formula that appears hundreds of times throughout the Old Testament, especially in the books of the prophets. Its significance is multifaceted:
1. **Divine Origin:** It emphatically declares that the message is not the prophet's own thoughts, opinions, or interpretations, but a direct, unmediated communication from God Himself. This establishes the message's absolute authority and truthfulness.
2. **Prophetic Authority:** It validates the prophet's role as God's chosen messenger, ensuring that the audience understands they are hearing God's voice through a human instrument.
3. **Infallibility:** It implies the message is infallible and unchangeable, as it originates from the sovereign God.
4. **Immediacy:** It often signals an immediate and direct divine response to a situation or question, as seen here in [Ezekiel 24:20](/ezekiel/24-20 "Ezekiel 24:20 - The Word of the LORD Comes").
In essence, it is a theological stamp of authenticity, asserting that what follows is a divine decree with eternal implications.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 24:20, with its emphasis on "the word of the LORD" coming to the prophet, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. While God spoke "at many times and in various ways" through His prophets in the Old Testament, [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God's Ultimate Revelation in Christ") declares that "in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son." Jesus is not merely a prophet who receives the word of the LORD; He *is* the Word of the LORD made flesh ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word was God") and [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). In Christ, God's revelation is no longer mediated through human vessels or symbolic actions, but is fully and perfectly embodied in a divine person. He is the ultimate answer to humanity's deepest questions, the complete explanation of God's will, and the final word of judgment and salvation. The prophetic words that came to Ezekiel foreshadowed a devastating judgment, but the coming of Christ, the living Word, brings the ultimate judgment of sin on the cross and offers the ultimate hope of redemption and new life to all who believe ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")). Thus, the very concept of God speaking, so central to Ezekiel 24:20, culminates in the incarnate Word, Jesus Christ, who perfectly reveals the Father and accomplishes His redemptive purpose ([John 14:9](/john/14-9 "John 14:9 - Seeing Jesus is Seeing the Father")).

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.