Ezekiel 25:1

¶ The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying,

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

The word of ADONAI came to me:

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

And the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying,

Ezekiel 25:1 serves as a concise yet profound introduction to a significant section of the prophet Ezekiel's ministry. It is a standard prophetic formula, indicating the divine origin and authority behind the messages that follow. This verse sets the stage for God's pronouncements of judgment against various surrounding nations, highlighting His universal sovereignty.

Context

This verse marks a crucial transition point in the Book of Ezekiel. Prior to this, Ezekiel's prophecies largely focused on the judgment of Judah and Jerusalem, culminating in the city's destruction, as foretold and confirmed in passages like Ezekiel 33:21. With the fall of Jerusalem, the focus shifts. From Ezekiel 25 through Ezekiel 32, the prophet delivers oracles against seven specific nations that either rejoiced in Judah's downfall or actively participated in their oppression. These nations include Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia, Tyre, Sidon, and Egypt. Therefore, Ezekiel 25:1 introduces a period where God demonstrates His justice not only towards His own people but also towards the Gentile nations who acted with malice or pride against His covenant people.

Key Themes

Divine Authority and Revelation: The phrase "The word of the LORD came unto me" emphasizes that Ezekiel's messages are not his own thoughts or opinions, but direct, authoritative revelations from God. This underscores the infallibility and power of God's spoken word.
God's Universal Sovereignty: By pronouncing judgment on surrounding nations, this section of Ezekiel, powerfully introduced by this verse, demonstrates that the Lord God is not merely the God of Israel but the sovereign ruler over all nations and peoples. His justice extends beyond His chosen covenant people.
Prophetic Commission: This verse reaffirms Ezekiel's role as God's spokesperson, a watchman delivering divine messages, a commission he received earlier in Ezekiel 3:17.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "The word of the LORD came" is יְהוָה אֵלַי וַיְהִי דְבַר (vayhi devar Yahweh elay), meaning "and the word of Yahweh came to me." This exact phrasing or a very similar one appears dozens of times throughout the prophetic books, serving as a signature mark of divine inspiration (e.g., Jeremiah 1:4, Hosea 1:1). It is a standard formula that authenticates the prophet's message as originating from God Himself, not from human wisdom or political agendas. The term Yahweh (LORD, in all caps in KJV) signifies God's covenant name, emphasizing His personal relationship and faithfulness, even as He brings judgment.

Practical Application

For believers today, Ezekiel 25:1 serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring authority and divine inspiration of Scripture. Every word recorded in the Bible, including challenging prophecies of judgment, originates from God. It encourages us to approach the Bible not as mere human literature but as the very voice of God, relevant for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). Furthermore, it implicitly points to God's ultimate control over all nations and history, assuring us that His purposes will prevail.

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.