3:10 3:10

Ezekiel 3:11

3:12 3:12

Bible Versions

And go, get thee to them of the captivity, unto the children of thy people, and speak unto them, and tell them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear.
And go {H3212}, get {H935} thee to them of the captivity {H1473}, unto the children {H1121} of thy people {H5971}, and speak {H1696} unto them, and tell {H559} them, Thus saith {H559} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}; whether they will hear {H8085}, or whether they will forbear {H2308}.
Then go to the exiles, to your countrymen; and speak to them. Tell them, 'Here is what Adonai ELOHIM, says,' whether they listen or not."
Go to your people, the exiles; speak to them and tell them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says,’ whether they listen or refuse to listen.”
And go, get thee to them of the captivity, unto the children of thy people, and speak unto them, and tell them, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah; whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear.

Ezekiel 3:11 is a pivotal verse in the prophet Ezekiel's early commission, underscoring the divine mandate given to him to deliver God's message to the exiled Israelites.

Context

This verse comes during the intense period of Ezekiel's call to prophecy, following his profound vision of God's glory and the divine scroll. He is in Babylon, among the Jewish exiles who were taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar. The Lord has just prepared Ezekiel for his challenging ministry, emphasizing that he is being sent to a "rebellious house" (Ezekiel 2:3). This particular instruction directs him to the specific audience of his prophetic ministry: his own people, the "children of thy people," who are in "captivity."

Key Themes

  • Divine Commission: The phrase "And go, get thee to them..." highlights the clear, authoritative command from God. Ezekiel is not acting on his own initiative but as a direct messenger of the Lord GOD.
  • Prophetic Responsibility: Ezekiel's duty is plainly stated: "speak unto them, and tell them, Thus saith the Lord GOD." His role is to faithfully deliver the divine word, not to edit or withhold it. This echoes the call of other prophets, such as Jeremiah.
  • Human Accountability: The crucial phrase "whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear" emphasizes the free will of the audience. God's message is delivered, but the people retain the choice to respond with obedience or rebellion. Ezekiel's success is measured by his faithfulness in speaking, not by the people's reception. This principle of divine word accomplishment regardless of human reception can be seen in Isaiah 55:11.

Linguistic Insights

The repeated phrase "Thus saith the Lord GOD" (Hebrew: Koh Amar Adonai Yahweh) is a hallmark of prophetic speech, signifying that the words are not human opinions but direct, authoritative declarations from the Almighty. This phrase underscores the divine origin and binding nature of the message. The contrast between "hear" (Hebrew: shama, meaning to listen and obey) and "forbear" (Hebrew: chadal, meaning to refrain, cease, or refuse) vividly presents the stark choice before the exiles. It implies a conscious decision on their part to either heed God's warning and instruction or to stubbornly reject it.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 3:11 offers profound lessons for believers today. It reminds us that our primary responsibility is to faithfully communicate the truth of God's word, whether in personal evangelism, teaching, or daily witness. The outcome—how people receive or reject the message—rests with them and with God's sovereign plan. Our call, like Ezekiel's, is to be faithful messengers, delivering God's truth without compromise or fear of rejection. It highlights the importance of sowing the seed of the Word, trusting that God will bring the increase, and acknowledging human responsibility in responding to divine revelation. This verse also serves as a powerful reminder of God's patience and persistent outreach to His people, even in their rebellion and captivity.

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.

  • Ezekiel 2:7

    And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they [are] most rebellious.

  • Ezekiel 3:27

    But when I speak with thee, I will open thy mouth, and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; He that heareth, let him hear; and he that forbeareth, let him forbear: for they [are] a rebellious house.

  • Ezekiel 33:12

    Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his [righteousness] in the day that he sinneth.

  • Ezekiel 33:17

    Yet the children of thy people say, The way of the Lord is not equal: but as for them, their way is not equal.

  • Ezekiel 33:30

    ¶ Also, thou son of man, the children of thy people still are talking against thee by the walls and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to another, every one to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the LORD.

  • Ezekiel 33:2

    Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman:

  • Ezekiel 2:5

    And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they [are] a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them.
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