Ezekiel 3:10

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Moreover he said {H559} unto me, Son {H1121} of man {H120}, all my words {H1697} that I shall speak {H1696} unto thee receive {H3947} in thine heart {H3824}, and hear {H8085} with thine ears {H241}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then he said to me, "Human being, receive in your heart and hear with your ears all my words that I speak to you.

Berean Standard Bible

“Son of man,” He added, “listen carefully to all the words I speak to you, and take them to heart.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 3:10 presents a crucial divine mandate to the prophet Ezekiel, emphasizing the profound necessity of internalizing God's words. This verse serves as a foundational instruction for Ezekiel to not merely hear, but to deeply receive, comprehend, and assimilate every message God will impart, preparing him to faithfully deliver these challenging truths to the rebellious house of Israel. It underscores that effective prophetic ministry, and indeed all spiritual understanding, flows from a heart and ears fully open and obedient to divine revelation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within the opening chapters of Ezekiel, which detail the prophet's dramatic call and commissioning by God. Having experienced a powerful vision of God's glory in [Ezekiel 1](/ezekiel/1 "Ezekiel 1 - The Chariot Vision and God's Glory"), Ezekiel is explicitly sent to a "rebellious house" (e.g., [Ezekiel 2:3](/ezekiel/2-3 "Ezekiel 2:3 - God sends Ezekiel to Israel")). Immediately preceding this verse, God commands Ezekiel to eat a scroll filled with lament, mourning, and woe, which tasted "as honey for sweetness" in his mouth ([Ezekiel 3:1-3](/ezekiel/3-1 "Ezekiel 3:1-3 - Ezekiel eats the scroll")). This symbolic act of internalizing the message is followed by the explicit instruction in [Ezekiel 3:10](/ezekiel/3-10 "Ezekiel 3:10 - God's Command to Ezekiel") to "receive in thine heart, and hear with thine ears," underscoring the spiritual and volitional reception required after the physical act. The verse sets the stage for Ezekiel's demanding role as a watchman, as further detailed in [Ezekiel 3:16-21](/ezekiel/3-16 "Ezekiel 3:16-21 - Ezekiel as Watchman"), where his faithfulness to deliver God's word directly impacts the spiritual destiny of the people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ezekiel, a priest, was among the Jewish exiles deported to Babylon during the first wave of the Babylonian captivity (c. 597 BC), settling by the Chebar Canal at Tel Abib. His ministry was directed primarily to these fellow exiles, who, despite their displacement, continued in their spiritual rebellion and false hopes of a swift return to Jerusalem. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the "heart" was considered the seat of intellect, will, and emotion, not merely a physical organ. "Hearing" (Hebrew: *shama'*) carried the profound implication of not just auditory perception, but also attention, understanding, and crucially, obedience. Prophets in this context were understood as God's direct mouthpieces, requiring an intimate and unadulterated reception of the divine word before its proclamation. The cultural expectation was that a true prophet would speak only what God had given him, making the internal reception of the message paramount.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Ezekiel and the broader prophetic literature. It highlights the theme of **Divine Authority and Human Receptivity**, emphasizing God's sovereign right to speak and the prophet's absolute necessity to submit to and internalize that word. It underscores the **Internalization of God's Word**, moving beyond mere intellectual assent to a deep, transformative assimilation that affects the entire being. This is crucial for **Prophetic Mandate and Preparation**, demonstrating that a messenger must first be profoundly shaped by the message before they can effectively deliver it. The dual command to "receive in thine heart, and hear with thine ears" also emphasizes the theme of **Holistic Obedience**, where true hearing is inextricably linked to understanding and a volitional response, echoing the call for Israel to keep God's words "on your heart" in [Deuteronomy 6:6](/deuteronomy/6-6 "Deuteronomy 6:6 - Words on the Heart"). This preparation is vital for Ezekiel's challenging ministry to a people described as "impudent and hardhearted" in [Ezekiel 2:4](/ezekiel/2-4 "Ezekiel 2:4 - Rebellious Israel").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Son of man (Hebrew, _bên ʼâdâm'_):** This recurring address to Ezekiel (H1121, H120) emphasizes his humanity and mortality in stark contrast to the divine speaker. "Son" (_bên_) denotes a member or characteristic, while "man" (_ʼâdâm_) refers to a human being. The phrase collectively highlights Ezekiel's frailty and dependence on God, underscoring that the message originates from God, not from human wisdom or power. It serves as a constant reminder of the vast chasm between the divine and the human, yet also God's willingness to use a human vessel.
* **words (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** (H1697) More than mere utterances, *dâbâr* signifies a "word" that carries weight, authority, and often implies an "affair," "matter," "thing," or "decree." In this context, it refers to the entirety of God's revelation to Ezekiel, encompassing both messages of judgment and future hope. It implies that God's communication is purposeful, active, and carries the power to accomplish what it declares.
* **receive (Hebrew, _lâqach'_):** (H3947) This verb means "to take," "to accept," or "to seize." Here, it denotes an active and intentional act of appropriation. Ezekiel is not passively receiving but is commanded to actively "take in" God's words, implying a deliberate effort to grasp and internalize them. This is a command for a deep, personal appropriation of the divine message.
* **heart (Hebrew, _lêbâb'_):** (H3824) In Hebrew thought, the *lêbâb* (or *lēḇ*) is not just the physical organ, but the seat of the entire inner person—intellect, will, emotions, and conscience. To "receive in thine heart" means to grasp intellectually, assent volitionally, and be affected emotionally by God's words, allowing them to permeate one's core being and shape one's thoughts and intentions.
* **hear (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** (H8085) This verb signifies more than just auditory perception. *Shâmaʻ* implies attentive listening, understanding, and, most importantly, obedience. It suggests a receptive posture that leads to action. The command to "hear with thine ears" emphasizes the earnestness and importance of the command, requiring not just a physical act but a spiritual and volitional response that culminates in compliance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Moreover he said unto me":** This phrase emphasizes the direct, personal, and authoritative nature of God's communication to Ezekiel. It highlights divine initiative and the prophet's immediate audience with the Almighty.
* **"Son of man":** This address serves as a constant reminder of Ezekiel's human frailty and mortality, contrasting with the omnipotence and eternality of the One speaking. It underscores that the message is divine in origin, not human.
* **"all my words that I shall speak unto thee":** This specifies the comprehensive scope of the command. Ezekiel is to internalize *all* of God's future revelations, without exception or reservation, whether they are pleasant or difficult.
* **"receive in thine heart":** This is a command for deep, internal assimilation. "Heart" here refers to the core of one's being—the intellect, will, and emotions. Ezekiel is to grasp the words intellectually, accept them volitionally, and allow them to shape his inner disposition and understanding.
* **"and hear with thine ears":** This complements the command to receive in the heart, emphasizing active, attentive, and obedient listening. "Hearing" in the biblical sense implies not just auditory perception, but a readiness to understand and act upon what is heard. The dual command ensures a holistic and obedient reception of God's message.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 3:10 employs several literary devices to underscore the profundity of God's command. The most prominent is **Direct Address**, where God speaks personally and intimately to Ezekiel, using the unique appellation "Son of man." This establishes the divine authority of the speaker and the personal nature of the prophetic calling. The phrase "receive in thine heart, and hear with thine ears" functions as a form of **Merism** (or possibly Hendiadys), where two distinct but related concepts are used to express a single, comprehensive idea. "Heart" represents the inner, intellectual, and volitional core, while "ears" represent the external, perceptive, and obedient faculty. Together, they signify the totality of human receptivity—a holistic engagement of one's entire being with God's word. The commands "receive" and "hear" are presented in the **Imperative Mood**, conveying urgency, authority, and the non-negotiable nature of God's instruction to His prophet. Furthermore, there is subtle **Symbolism** in the choice of "heart" and "ears" as organs of reception, representing not just physical parts but the spiritual and mental faculties essential for true understanding and obedience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 3:10 is a pivotal verse that articulates a fundamental principle of divine-human communication: the necessity of profound internal assimilation of God's word. It teaches that God's revelation is not merely for intellectual consumption or casual listening, but for deep, transformative reception within the very core of one's being. This internalization is essential for genuine understanding, faithful obedience, and effective ministry. For Ezekiel, it meant being so saturated with God's message that he could faithfully represent God's character and will to a rebellious people, even when the message was difficult. Theologically, it underscores the active nature of God's word, which demands an active, holistic response from humanity. It highlights that true "hearing" is synonymous with "doing," establishing a direct link between spiritual receptivity and righteous living. This principle extends beyond prophetic ministry to all believers, calling for a personal and transformative engagement with Scripture.

* [Deuteronomy 6:6](/deuteronomy/6-6 "Deuteronomy 6:6 - Words on the Heart") - "And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart."
* [Psalm 119:11](/psalm/119-11 "Psalm 119:11 - Hiding God's Word") - "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."
* [James 1:22](/james/1-22 "James 1:22 - Be Doers of the Word") - "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 3:10 offers timeless wisdom for every believer. In an age saturated with information, it challenges us to move beyond superficial engagement with God's Word to a profound, life-altering internalization. It calls us to approach Scripture not merely as a text to be read, but as the living voice of God, intended to penetrate our deepest thoughts, desires, and motivations. This means actively meditating on its truths, allowing them to shape our worldview, correct our misconceptions, and guide our decisions. For those who teach or lead in any capacity, this verse serves as a powerful reminder that personal spiritual formation is paramount. We cannot effectively convey truths we have not first allowed to transform us. Our ability to speak for God, or to apply His principles in our lives, is directly proportional to our willingness to truly "receive in our heart, and hear with our ears" all that He speaks.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How deeply do I truly "receive" God's Word, beyond just hearing or reading it?**
* **In what ways does God's Word currently shape my thoughts, emotions, and will?**
* **What practical steps can I take to better internalize biblical truth and allow it to transform my life?**
* **How does my personal receptivity to God's Word impact my ability to serve or speak for Him in my sphere of influence?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the phrase "Son of man" in this context?**

Answer: The address "Son of man" (Hebrew: _bên ʼâdâm_) is used over 90 times in Ezekiel, almost exclusively by God when speaking to the prophet. Its significance lies in highlighting Ezekiel's humanity and mortality in stark contrast to the divine speaker. It emphasizes that the profound messages he is about to receive and deliver come from God's infinite wisdom and authority, not from Ezekiel's own human insight or power. It serves as a constant reminder of the prophet's dependence on God and his role as a mere human vessel through whom the divine word flows. This humble designation also foreshadows the later New Testament use of "Son of Man" by Jesus, which emphasizes both His humanity and His unique divine authority as the ultimate representative of God.

**Why does God command Ezekiel to "receive in thine heart, and hear with thine ears"? Isn't hearing enough?**

Answer: The dual command emphasizes a holistic and active reception of God's word, going far beyond mere auditory perception. In Hebrew thought, the "heart" (_lêbâb_) is the center of one's entire being—intellect, will, and emotion. To "receive in thine heart" means to grasp the message intellectually, accept it volitionally, and allow it to permeate one's deepest thoughts and desires. The verb "hear" (_shâmaʻ_) in biblical Hebrew implies not just listening, but attentive understanding and, crucially, obedience. Therefore, "hear with thine ears" means to listen intently with a view to understanding and acting upon the word. The combination of "heart" and "ears" signifies that God demands a complete, internal, and obedient reception of His word, ensuring that the message is not just heard, but fully assimilated and acted upon. This holistic engagement is essential for the prophet to faithfully convey God's message and for any believer to truly live by God's truth.

**How does this verse relate to the earlier command for Ezekiel to eat the scroll?**

Answer: The command for Ezekiel to eat the scroll in [Ezekiel 2:9-3:3](/ezekiel/3-1 "Ezekiel 3:1-3 - Ezekiel eats the scroll") is a powerful symbolic act of ingesting and assimilating God's message, which contained "lament, and mourning, and woe," yet tasted "as honey for sweetness." Ezekiel 3:10 then provides the explicit instruction for the *manner* of that assimilation. While eating the scroll was a physical and symbolic act of taking in the word, [Ezekiel 3:10](/ezekiel/3-10 "Ezekiel 3:10 - God's Command to Ezekiel") clarifies the spiritual and volitional depth required: the words must be "received in the heart" (internalized, understood, and embraced by the inner being) and "heard with the ears" (attentively listened to with a view to obedience). Thus, the eating of the scroll is the *act* of reception, and [Ezekiel 3:10](/ezekiel/3-10 "Ezekiel 3:10 - God's Command to Ezekiel") is the *instruction* on how that reception should be spiritually complete and effective, ensuring the prophet's readiness to deliver God's message with integrity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 3:10, with its emphasis on deeply receiving and hearing God's words, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profoundest application in Jesus Christ. He is the very **Word of God made flesh** ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God"), [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), the perfect embodiment of God's revelation. Unlike Ezekiel, who was commanded to receive God's words, Jesus perfectly *was* God's Word, fully knowing and perfectly obeying the Father's will. He perfectly "received in His heart" and "heard with His ears" all that the Father spoke, not as a command to a subordinate, but as the seamless expression of the divine unity. His life, ministry, and ultimate sacrifice were the Father's words perfectly lived out. For believers, our Christ-centered fulfillment of [Ezekiel 3:10](/ezekiel/3-10 "Ezekiel 3:10 - God's Command to Ezekiel") comes through receiving Jesus Himself, for in Him "are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - Treasures in Christ")). When we receive Christ, we receive the ultimate Word of God. Furthermore, through the Holy Spirit, we are enabled to truly "receive in our heart, and hear with our ears" the words of Christ and the Scriptures, leading to obedience and transformation, just as Jesus promised that those who love Him will keep His word ([John 14:23-24](/john/14-23 "John 14:23-24 - Keeping Jesus' Word")). The Spirit guides us into all truth ([John 16:13](/john/16-13 "John 16:13 - Spirit of Truth")), making our hearts and ears receptive to the living and active Word of God, fulfilling the ancient prophetic mandate in a new covenant reality.

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

Psalms 119:11

¶ Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Job 22:22

Receive, I pray thee, the law from his mouth, and lay up his words in thine heart.

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 Thessalonians 4:1

¶ Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort [you] by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, [so] ye would abound more and more.

Proverbs 8:10

Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.

Luke 8:15

But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep [it], and bring forth fruit with patience.