Ezekiel 3:9

KJV

As an adamant harder than flint have I made thy forehead: fear them not, neither be dismayed at their looks, though they [be] a rebellious house.

KJV (with Strong's)

As an adamant {H8068} harder {H2389} than flint {H6864} have I made {H5414} thy forehead {H4696}: fear {H3372} them not, neither be dismayed {H2865} at their looks {H6440}, though they be a rebellious {H4805} house {H1004}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yes, I am making your resoluteness harder than flint, as hard as a diamond. So don't be afraid of them or depressed by how they look at you, because they are a rebellious house."

Berean Standard Bible

I will make your forehead like a diamond, harder than flint. Do not be afraid of them or dismayed at their presence, even though they are a rebellious house.”

American Standard Version

As an adamant harder than flint have I made thy forehead: fear them not, neither be dismayed at their looks, though they are a rebellious house.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 3:9 is a powerful declaration of divine empowerment, where God fortifies the prophet Ezekiel for his challenging ministry to the exiled Israelites. Recognizing the profound spiritual hardness and rebellion of his audience, God assures Ezekiel that He has made his resolve impenetrable, likening his forehead to "adamant harder than flint." This divine strengthening is a direct command to fearlessly confront their opposition and not be intimidated by their defiant stares, despite their persistent and deep-seated rebellion against God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the profound narrative of Ezekiel's prophetic call and commission in chapters 1-3. Following the awe-inspiring vision of God's glory in [Ezekiel 1](/ezekiel/1 "Ezekiel 1 - The Vision of God's Glory"), Ezekiel is explicitly sent to the "rebellious house" of Israel ([Ezekiel 2:3](/ezekiel/2-3 "Ezekiel 2:3 - Israel's Rebelliousness")). The immediate preceding verses ([Ezekiel 3:1-3](/ezekiel/3-1 "Ezekiel 3:1-3 - Ezekiel Eats the Scroll")) describe Ezekiel's symbolic act of consuming a scroll filled with lamentations, mourning, and woe, signifying his full internalization of God's difficult message. God's declaration in [Ezekiel 3:9](/ezekiel/3-9 "Ezekiel 3:9 - God Strengthens Ezekiel") directly follows His warning that the house of Israel would be unwilling to listen ([Ezekiel 3:7](/ezekiel/3-7 "Ezekiel 3:7 - Israel's Unwillingness to Listen")), underscoring the necessity of the supernatural fortitude God bestows upon His prophet.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ezekiel prophesied during the Babylonian exile (c. 593-571 BC), a period of profound national crisis and spiritual despair for the Israelites. They had been deported from their homeland, Jerusalem, and were living as captives in Babylon. Despite the severe judgment of exile, many of the exiles remained spiritually hardened and resistant to God's word, clinging to false hopes or blaming God. Prophets like Ezekiel were often met with skepticism, ridicule, and outright hostility, as their messages frequently challenged the people's comfortable delusions and called for repentance. The imagery of a "forehead" in ancient Near Eastern culture often symbolized resolve, defiance, or shame, making God's act of hardening Ezekiel's forehead a potent symbol of divine empowerment against human opposition.
* **Key Themes:** [Ezekiel 3:9](/ezekiel/3-9 "Ezekiel 3:9 - God Strengthens Ezekiel") powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Ezekiel and the broader prophetic literature. It highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Commission**, demonstrating God's absolute authority to choose and equip His messengers, even for the most daunting tasks. The verse also emphasizes the theme of **Prophetic Boldness and Resilience**, underscoring that God's servants are called to deliver His truth without fear of human opposition, relying solely on divine strength. Finally, it starkly portrays the **Stubbornness and Rebellion of Israel**, a recurring motif throughout the Old Testament, from the wilderness wanderings ([Deuteronomy 9:7](/deuteronomy/9-7 "Deuteronomy 9:7 - Israel's Rebellion in the Wilderness")) to the time of the prophets ([Isaiah 30:9](/isaiah/30-9 "Isaiah 30:9 - A Rebellious People")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Adamant (Hebrew, _shâmîyr'_):** From a root meaning "to prick," this word refers to an extremely hard, sharp stone, often identified as diamond or corundum. In this context, it signifies an impenetrable, unbreakable, and unyielding quality. God is making Ezekiel's resolve as hard and resistant as the most durable material known, emphasizing his spiritual invincibility against the people's hardness.
* **Forehead (Hebrew, _mêtsach'_):** This term denotes the front part of the head, often associated with resolve, impudence, or shame. To have a forehead made "harder than flint" means to be unashamed, unyielding, and unafraid in the face of scorn, opposition, or the defiant stares ("looks") of the rebellious people. It speaks to an inner fortitude that manifests as outward steadfastness.
* **Rebellious (Hebrew, _mᵉrîy'_):** Derived from a root meaning "bitterness," this word describes a state of spiritual rebellion, obstinacy, and disobedience. It characterizes the "house" (family, nation) of Israel as consistently and deeply resistant to God's word and will. This word underscores the extreme difficulty of Ezekiel's mission and the profound spiritual condition of his audience.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"As an adamant harder than flint have I made thy forehead":** This clause reveals God's direct, supernatural intervention to equip Ezekiel. The imagery of "adamant" and "flint" (both extremely hard stones) conveys an unparalleled toughness and resilience. God is not merely encouraging Ezekiel to be strong, but actively transforming him, imparting a spiritual fortitude that will enable him to withstand the immense pressure and hostility he is about to face from his own people. His "forehead," a symbol of resolve, is divinely hardened.
* **"fear them not, neither be dismayed at their looks":** This is a direct divine command, a double negative emphasizing the absolute imperative for Ezekiel to be fearless. "Fear them not" addresses the internal apprehension, while "neither be dismayed at their looks" addresses the external intimidation tactics—the defiant stares, scornful glances, or hostile expressions of the people. God assures Ezekiel that he need not shrink back or be discouraged by their outward signs of rejection.
* **"though they [be] a rebellious house":** This final clause provides the reason for the divine empowerment and the command to be fearless. The people Ezekiel is sent to are not merely resistant; they are fundamentally "rebellious"—a nation characterized by deep-seated disobedience and spiritual obstinacy. This phrase highlights the inherent difficulty of the prophetic task and justifies the extraordinary divine strengthening Ezekiel receives.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 3:9 is rich with **Metaphor** and **Hyperbole**. The phrase "As an adamant harder than flint have I made thy forehead" is a powerful **Metaphor**, comparing Ezekiel's spiritual resolve to the hardest known stones. This is amplified by **Hyperbole**, as it describes an almost superhuman, impenetrable toughness, emphasizing the extraordinary nature of the divine empowerment. The "forehead" itself functions as **Symbolism**, representing not just a physical part of the body but the prophet's inner determination, his public stance, and his willingness to confront shame or opposition. The entire verse employs **Direct Address** from God to Ezekiel, making the commission intensely personal and authoritative.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly illustrates the principle of divine enablement in the face of daunting spiritual tasks. God does not call the equipped; He equips the called. Ezekiel's commission to a "rebellious house" highlights the inherent difficulty of proclaiming God's truth to a hardened audience, yet God's provision of an "adamant forehead" ensures that His messenger will not falter. This speaks to God's sovereignty over the prophetic message and the messenger, ensuring His word is delivered regardless of human resistance. It underscores that true courage in ministry is not the absence of fear, but the presence of divine strength that overcomes fear, enabling steadfastness in the face of opposition.

* [Jeremiah 1:17](/jeremiah/1-17 "Jeremiah 1:17 - God's Command to Jeremiah to Speak Boldly")
* [Isaiah 50:7](/isaiah/50-7 "Isaiah 50:7 - The Servant's Resolve")
* [2 Timothy 1:7](/2_timothy/1-7 "2 Timothy 1:7 - Spirit of Power, Love, and Self-Control")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 3:9 offers a profound and timely message for believers today. In a world often resistant or hostile to biblical truth, we are called to embody a similar divine fortitude. Just as God supernaturally equipped Ezekiel, He promises to empower His followers through the Holy Spirit to stand firm, speak truth, and live faithfully, even when it is unpopular or challenging. This verse reminds us that our ability to withstand pressure, ridicule, or discouragement does not stem from our own inherent strength or charisma, but from God's empowering presence within us. It is a call to courageous faithfulness, trusting that God will provide the necessary resilience to fulfill the unique callings He places on our lives, enabling us to face the "looks" of a rebellious world without fear or dismay.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life or ministry do you feel most intimidated or dismayed by the "looks" or attitudes of others?**
* **How does the imagery of an "adamant forehead" encourage you to rely more fully on God's strength rather than your own?**
* **What specific truths is God calling you to speak or embody that might be met with resistance, and how can you cultivate an "adamant forehead" in those situations?**

### FAQ
**What does "adamant" mean in this context?**

Answer: In Ezekiel 3:9, "adamant" (Hebrew: *shâmîyr*) refers to an extremely hard, unyielding stone, often identified as a diamond or corundum. It is used metaphorically to describe the impenetrable and unbreakable spiritual resolve that God supernaturally imparts to Ezekiel. It signifies that Ezekiel's determination and courage will be tougher than any opposition he faces, making him impervious to the spiritual and emotional attacks from the rebellious house of Israel. This imagery emphasizes the divine source of his strength, not his natural fortitude.

**Why was Israel called a "rebellious house"?**

Answer: The phrase "rebellious house" (Hebrew: *mᵉrîy bayith*) is a recurring descriptor in Ezekiel's prophecy, highlighting the deep-seated spiritual obstinacy and disobedience of the Israelites, both those in exile and those remaining in Jerusalem. Despite centuries of covenant relationship with God, prophetic warnings, and divine judgments, they consistently turned away from Him, pursuing idolatry, injustice, and self-reliance. This rebellion was not merely occasional but characterized their collective identity, making their hearts hardened and unwilling to listen to God's word, as noted in [Ezekiel 3:7](/ezekiel/3-7 "Ezekiel 3:7 - Israel's Unwillingness to Listen").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel's divine commission and empowerment foreshadow the ultimate Prophet, Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodied the "adamant forehead" in His earthly ministry. Unlike Ezekiel, who was sent to a rebellious house, Jesus Himself *was* the Word made flesh, entering a world deeply steeped in rebellion against God ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). He faced the ultimate "looks" of dismay and rejection, enduring the scorn of religious leaders, the betrayal of His disciples, and the hostility of the crowds, yet He never wavered in His resolve to fulfill His Father's will ([Isaiah 50:7](/isaiah/50-7 "Isaiah 50:7 - The Servant's Resolve")). His "forehead" was indeed harder than flint, set like a diamond towards Jerusalem and the cross, where He would accomplish the ultimate act of obedience and redemption ([Luke 9:51](/luke/9-51 "Luke 9:51 - Jesus Sets His Face Toward Jerusalem")). Furthermore, the divine empowerment Ezekiel received is now extended to all believers through the indwelling Holy Spirit. Just as Christ was empowered to confront sin and proclaim truth, so too are His followers equipped with power from on high to be His witnesses "to the ends of the earth" ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power of the Holy Spirit")), standing firm against spiritual opposition and proclaiming the Gospel without fear, even in a world that remains a "rebellious house" towards God.

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 2:6

¶ And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns [be] with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they [be] a rebellious house.

Isaiah 50:7

For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.

Isaiah 41:10

¶ Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Zechariah 7:12

Yea, they made their hearts [as] an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts.

Jeremiah 1:8

Be not afraid of their faces: for I [am] with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 17:18

Let them be confounded that persecute me, but let not me be confounded: let them be dismayed, but let not me be dismayed: bring upon them the day of evil, and destroy them with double destruction.

1 Timothy 2:3

For this [is] good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;