Ezekiel 3:25

KJV

But thou, O son of man, behold, they shall put bands upon thee, and shall bind thee with them, and thou shalt not go out among them:

KJV (with Strong's)

But thou, O son {H1121} of man {H120}, behold, they shall put {H5414} bands {H5688} upon thee, and shall bind {H631} thee with them, and thou shalt not go out {H3318} among {H8432} them:

Complete Jewish Bible

Human being, you are going to be bound with ropes, unable to go out among the people.

Berean Standard Bible

And you, son of man, they will tie with ropes, and you will be bound so that you cannot go out among the people.

American Standard Version

But thou, son of man, behold, they shall lay bands upon thee, and shall bind thee with them, and thou shalt not go out among them:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 3:25 describes a profound and divinely imposed restriction upon the prophet Ezekiel, where he is physically or symbolically bound and prevented from freely moving and interacting with the exiled Israelites. This confinement serves as a powerful, non-verbal sign from God to a rebellious and obstinate people, mirroring their spiritual bondage and their inability to receive and respond to the divine word. The verse highlights God's absolute sovereignty over His prophet and the prophetic message, using Ezekiel's personal circumstances as a vivid object lesson to underscore the gravity of Israel's spiritual condition and the impending judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed immediately following Ezekiel's solemn commissioning as a "watchman for the house of Israel" in [Ezekiel 3:17-21](/ezekiel/3-17-21 "Ezekiel's Commission as a Watchman"). After a powerful encounter with the glory of the Lord on the plain, where he is commanded to return to his house ([Ezekiel 3:22-23](/ezekiel/3-22-23 "The Lord's Glory Appears to Ezekiel Again")), Ezekiel receives the divine directive for his symbolic binding. This imposition of "bands" and the subsequent inability to "go out among them" in verse 25 directly precedes and sets the stage for the prophet's period of divinely imposed muteness, detailed in [Ezekiel 3:26-27](/ezekiel/3-26-27 "Ezekiel's Muteness and Future Speaking"). This sequence signifies a shift in Ezekiel's early ministry from potential public proclamation to a period dominated by symbolic action and silence, serving as a potent, non-verbal message to a people resistant to verbal warnings. The restriction emphasizes God's direct control over every aspect of Ezekiel's prophetic function, even his physical freedom.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ezekiel prophesied during the critical period of the Babylonian exile, specifically among the Jewish captives settled by the Chebar Canal. The exiles, often clinging to false prophets and illusory hopes of a swift return to Jerusalem, were deeply resistant to the true prophetic message of prolonged judgment and the necessity of repentance. In the ancient Near East, prophets frequently employed dramatic symbolic acts to convey divine messages, a practice well-understood by the populace. The imagery of being bound or confined was a universally recognized symbol of captivity, helplessness, and divine judgment, particularly poignant for a people already in exile. For Ezekiel, a priest by lineage, such a physical restriction would have been an extraordinary and deeply disruptive departure from his expected role, powerfully amplifying the unique and severe nature of his prophetic calling and God's uncompromising message to a people who had repeatedly violated His covenant.
* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 3:25 significantly contributes to several profound themes woven throughout the book of Ezekiel. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Sovereignty and Control**, emphasizing that God is not merely the originator of the prophetic word but also the meticulous orchestrator of the prophet's very circumstances, including his confinement, to achieve His specific purposes for Israel. Secondly, the verse highlights the theme of **Prophetic Isolation and Suffering**, as Ezekiel's binding and inability to "go out among them" underscore the often solitary, difficult, and misunderstood path of a true prophet, especially when delivering unpopular truths to a resistant audience. This isolation serves to validate that his messages are purely divinely sourced, not humanly contrived. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, the verse conveys the theme of **Symbolic Action as Divine Communication**. Ezekiel's physical restriction is not merely a personal hardship but a profound object lesson, a living parable mirroring Israel's spiritual bondage and their self-imposed inability to truly hear or respond to God's word. They are, in essence, bound by their sins and rebellion, unable to "go out" from their spiritual captivity, much like the prophet's own physical constraint. This aligns with other powerful prophetic symbolic acts, such as Jeremiah wearing a wooden yoke ([Jeremiah 27:2](/jeremiah/27-2 "Jeremiah's Yoke as a Sign of Servitude")) or Isaiah walking naked and barefoot ([Isaiah 20:3](/isaiah/20-3 "Isaiah's Symbolic Nakedness and Barefoot Walk")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **son (Hebrew, _bên'_):** H1121, from בָּנָה (banah), meaning "a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense." In the recurring address "son of man" (Hebrew: _ben-adam_), this term emphasizes Ezekiel's humanity and frailty in stark contrast to the overwhelming divine power and majesty of God. It underscores his role as a mortal representative, a human being standing before the divine, tasked with communicating God's word to other human beings, highlighting the vast chasm between the divine speaker and the human recipient.
* **bands (Hebrew, _ʻăbôth'_):** H5688, meaning "something intwined, i.e. a string, wreath or foliage; band, cord, rope." This word denotes literal physical restraints, such as ropes or cords. Its use here strongly suggests a tangible, physical binding, reinforcing the imagery of confinement and limitation imposed upon Ezekiel. This binding, whether directly by divine power or through human agents under divine orchestration, serves as a concrete manifestation of God's control and the symbolic message being conveyed.
* **go out (Hebrew, _yâtsâʼ'_):** H3318, a primitive root meaning "to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim." In this context, it specifically signifies the cessation of free movement and public interaction. Ezekiel's inability to "go out among them" implies a severe restriction on his public ministry and direct engagement with the people, emphasizing his enforced isolation and the divine control over his movements and prophetic activity as a powerful, non-verbal sign.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But thou, O son of man,"**: This is God's characteristic and frequently repeated address to Ezekiel, appearing over ninety times throughout the book. It serves as a constant, humbling reminder of Ezekiel's mortal, human nature in the face of God's overwhelming divine glory and power. It sets the stage for a divine directive given to a human agent, emphasizing the authority of the speaker and the humility required of the recipient.
* **"behold, they shall put bands upon thee, and shall bind thee with them,"**: This clause vividly describes the imposition of physical or symbolic restraints upon Ezekiel. The "bands" (Hebrew: _ʻăbôth_) and the act of "binding" (Hebrew: _ʼâçar_) strongly suggest a literal physical restraint, perhaps ropes or chains. While the identity of "they" is debated (whether rebellious Israelites or divine agents), the broader context of God's absolute control over Ezekiel's actions (e.g., his subsequent muteness) points to this as a divinely orchestrated event, designed to achieve God's specific purposes.
* **"and thou shalt not go out among them:"**: This final clause states the direct consequence of the binding: Ezekiel's complete inability to move freely and interact publicly with the people. This restriction on his mobility and public ministry is the central element of the symbolic act. It signifies a period of enforced isolation, preventing him from engaging in the typical prophetic role of public proclamation, thereby serving as a powerful, non-verbal sign to the rebellious exiles of their own spiritual paralysis.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices to convey its profound message. **Symbolism** is paramount, as Ezekiel's physical binding and confinement serve as a potent symbol of Israel's spiritual bondage and their self-imposed inability to "go out" from their sin and rebellion. The prophet's restricted movement directly mirrors the nation's spiritual paralysis and their obstinate unwillingness to hear or respond to God's word. The repeated address "O **son of man**" functions as a direct **apostrophe**, specifically addressing Ezekiel and highlighting his humanity in contrast to the divine speaker, while also serving as a pervasive **motif** that recurs throughout the book, emphasizing the vast chasm between God's transcendent nature and humanity's mortal state. The entire scenario functions as an **object lesson**, where the prophet's personal experience becomes a living parable for the people, designed to convey a message more powerfully and tangibly than words alone, forcing them to confront their spiritual reality.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 3:25 profoundly illustrates God's sovereign control over His prophets and His message, even when it involves periods of restriction, suffering, or apparent inactivity. It underscores that divine communication is not limited to verbal proclamation but can also occur powerfully through the prophet's very life and circumstances, serving as a living parable. This verse highlights the theme of divine judgment and the severe consequences of rebellion, as Ezekiel's confinement mirrors Israel's spiritual captivity and their self-imposed inability to respond to divine truth due to their obstinacy. It also speaks to the often challenging and isolating nature of true prophetic ministry, which frequently involves hardship and misunderstanding, yet remains entirely under God's direction for His redemptive purposes, even amidst a people who stubbornly refuse to listen.

* [Jeremiah 1:17-19](/jeremiah/1-17-19 "Jeremiah's Commission and Promise of Divine Strength")
* [Isaiah 6:9-10](/isaiah/6-9-10 "Isaiah's Commission to a Hardened People")
* [Hosea 1:2-3](/hosea/1-2-3 "Hosea's Symbolic Marriage and Children")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel's experience in this verse offers profound and enduring insights for believers today, serving as a powerful reminder that God's sovereign hand is at work even in periods of personal restriction, limitation, or perceived inactivity. Just as Ezekiel was bound for a specific divine purpose, our own seasons of waiting, isolation, or even opposition can be divinely ordained, not as hindrances to our spiritual growth or ministry, but as instruments for God's greater plan. These challenging moments can serve to deepen our reliance on Him, refine our character, cultivate patience, or even become powerful, non-verbal testimonies to others about God's faithfulness and control. Our faithfulness and obedience, even when circumstances seem to restrict our outward activity or public ministry, can be a potent witness to God's will and power. This verse encourages us to seek God's purpose in all seasons of life, understanding that He can use our endurance, quiet trust, and steadfastness as powerfully as our active service, much like the apostle Paul, who recognized that his imprisonment ultimately served to further the gospel rather than hinder it ([Philippians 1:12-14](/philippians/1-12-14 "Paul's Imprisonment Furthers the Gospel")).

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How might God be using periods of restriction, waiting, or perceived limitation in my life to deepen my dependence on Him or to teach me something new about His character?**
* **In what ways might my personal circumstances, even challenging or confining ones, serve as a "sign" or testimony to others about God's sovereignty, faithfulness, or redemptive work?**
* **How can I remain faithful and obedient to God's call, finding purpose and meaning, even when my ability to "go out among them" (i.e., engage in public ministry or outward activity) is limited?**

### FAQ
**Was Ezekiel's binding a literal physical restraint or a symbolic vision?**

Answer: The text describes the "bands" (Hebrew: _ʻăbôth_) and the act of "binding" (Hebrew: _ʼâçar_) in very physical terms, leading many scholars to conclude that Ezekiel was indeed literally bound by ropes or chains. This interpretation aligns with the common prophetic practice in the ancient Near East, where prophets often performed physically real symbolic acts to convey divine messages (e.g., Isaiah walking naked, Jeremiah wearing a yoke). While the primary meaning is undoubtedly symbolic—representing the spiritual bondage of Israel and God's sovereign control over Ezekiel's ministry—a literal physical binding would have dramatically underscored the message to a rebellious nation. The subsequent description of Ezekiel's muteness in [Ezekiel 3:26](/ezekiel/3-26 "Ezekiel's Muteness") further supports the idea of divinely imposed, tangible restrictions on his prophetic activity, designed to be a powerful, living sign.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel's binding and restriction, though a sign of judgment and spiritual bondage for Israel, also powerfully foreshadow a deeper truth about God's redemptive plan, ultimately fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Ezekiel, the "son of man," is bound and isolated, a poignant mirror reflecting the spiritual captivity and helplessness of humanity under the dominion of sin. Yet, in the New Testament, the ultimate "Son of Man," Jesus Christ, willingly submitted to being bound and led away ([Matthew 27:2](/matthew/27-2 "Jesus Bound and Led Away")) to suffer isolation, rejection, and death for the sins of the world. Unlike Ezekiel, whose binding was a sign *to* a rebellious people, Christ's voluntary binding, crucifixion, and burial were acts *for* a rebellious humanity, breaking the spiritual bands of sin and death that held creation captive. His temporary inability to "go out among them" during His passion and burial was a voluntary confinement that led to ultimate liberation and spiritual freedom for all who believe. Through His perfect sacrifice, Jesus, the true [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), sets captives free from the spiritual bondage that Ezekiel's experience so vividly symbolized ([Luke 4:18](/luke/4-18 "Jesus Proclaims Freedom for the Captives")). He is the one who, though bound for a time, now possesses all authority in heaven and on earth, empowering His disciples to "go out among them" with the message of freedom, reconciliation, and the Great Commission ([Matthew 28:18-20](/matthew/28-18-20 "The Great Commission")).

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

Ezekiel 4:8

And, behold, I will lay bands upon thee, and thou shalt not turn thee from one side to another, till thou hast ended the days of thy siege.

Acts 21:11

And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver [him] into the hands of the Gentiles.

Acts 21:13

Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.

John 21:18

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry [thee] whither thou wouldest not.

Acts 9:16

For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

Mark 3:21

And when his friends heard [of it], they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself.

Acts 20:23

Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.