Ezekiel 28:20

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

Again the word ^{H1697} of the LORD ^{H3068} came 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 28:20 serves as a standard prophetic introductory formula, signaling the beginning of a new divine message delivered to the prophet Ezekiel. This concise verse sets the stage for the prophecy immediately following it, which is directed against the city of Sidon.

Context

In the book of Ezekiel, the phrase "the word of the LORD came unto me" is a recurring and significant marker, appearing over 60 times. It emphasizes that the messages Ezekiel delivers are not his own thoughts or opinions, but direct revelations from God. This particular instance follows a lengthy and detailed prophecy against the powerful commercial city of Tyre, described in Ezekiel 28:1-19. With verse 20, the divine focus shifts from Tyre to its neighboring Phoenician city, Sidon, indicating a new segment in God's judgment against the nations surrounding Israel. The subsequent verses, starting with Ezekiel 28:21, elaborate on the specific judgment against Sidon.

Key Themes

Divine Authority and Revelation: The primary theme highlighted by this verse is the absolute authority of God's word. It underscores that the prophecies are not human inventions but emanate directly from the Lord Himself. This phrase establishes the divine origin and infallibility of the message to follow.
Prophetic Commission: It reinforces Ezekiel's role as God's chosen messenger, a watchman tasked with delivering divine warnings and declarations, as outlined in Ezekiel 3:17.
Structure of Prophecy: The repetitive nature of this introductory formula provides clear structural breaks within the book, guiding the reader through the various prophecies and their distinct targets.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "the word of the LORD came unto me" (וַיְהִי דְבַר־יְהוָה אֵלַי, vayhi devar-YHWH elai) is a staple of prophetic literature, not just in Ezekiel but throughout the Old Testament (e.g., Jeremiah 1:4, Jonah 1:1). It signifies a direct, undeniable divine communication. The use of the personal pronoun "me" emphasizes the intimate and personal nature of God's revelation to His prophet, even when the message is for a wider audience or a specific nation.

Practical Application

While a brief transitional verse, Ezekiel 28:20 reminds us of several enduring truths. Firstly, it underscores the importance of God's revealed word as the source of truth and guidance. Just as Ezekiel received direct messages, believers today have access to the written Word of God, the Bible, which serves as our primary means of understanding His will and character. Secondly, it highlights God's active involvement in the world and His sovereign control over nations and their destinies. He speaks, and His word accomplishes His purposes, whether in judgment or blessing. This should encourage us to seek and heed God's voice in our lives, trusting in the authority and power of His eternal word, as echoed in Isaiah 55:11.

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.