Ezekiel 33:22

Now the hand of the LORD was upon me in the evening, afore he that was escaped came; and had opened my mouth, until he came to me in the morning; and my mouth was opened, and I was no more dumb.

Now the hand {H3027} of the LORD {H3068} was upon me in the evening {H6153}, afore {H6440} he that was escaped {H6412} came {H935}; and had opened {H6605} my mouth {H6310}, until he came {H935} to me in the morning {H1242}; and my mouth {H6310} was opened {H6605}, and I was no more dumb {H481}.

Now the hand of ADONAI had been on me that evening, before the fugitive arrived - he had opened my mouth prior to his coming to me in the morning, so my mouth was open, and I was no longer mute.

Now the evening before the fugitive arrived, the hand of the LORD was upon me, and He opened my mouth before the man came to me in the morning. So my mouth was opened and I was no longer mute.

Now the hand of Jehovah had been upon me in the evening, before he that was escaped came; and he had opened my mouth, until he came to me in the morning; and my mouth was opened, and I was no more dumb.

Commentary

Ezekiel 33:22 (KJV) marks a pivotal moment in the prophet Ezekiel's ministry, signifying the restoration of his full prophetic voice after a period of partial or complete silence regarding direct messages to the exiles concerning Jerusalem's fate.

Context of Ezekiel 33:22

This verse is strategically placed immediately after the Lord reiterates Ezekiel's role as a watchman over the house of Israel. For a significant period, from the siege of Jerusalem until its fall, Ezekiel had been made "dumb" or mute concerning messages of warning and judgment to the rebellious exiles, as prophesied in Ezekiel 3:26. The "escaped" individual mentioned here is a messenger who brings definitive news of Jerusalem's destruction, which occurred in 586 BC. This momentous event, the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians, fundamentally shifts the focus of Ezekiel's prophecies from impending judgment to future restoration and comfort for the scattered remnant.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Empowerment and Timing: The phrase "the hand of the LORD was upon me" consistently denotes a powerful, direct divine influence enabling Ezekiel to prophesy. Here, it specifically highlights God's sovereignty over Ezekiel's ability to speak. The timing is crucial: God opens his mouth precisely when the news of Jerusalem's fall arrives, signaling a new phase of prophetic ministry.
  • Restoration of Prophetic Voice: The core message is the end of Ezekiel's muteness. His silence was a sign of Jerusalem's impending doom and God's withdrawal of direct warnings through him to the people. Its restoration signifies that the period of judgment on Jerusalem is complete, and God is ready to communicate new messages of hope, rebuilding, and covenant renewal to His people.
  • Shift in Prophetic Focus: With Jerusalem's fall confirmed, Ezekiel's ministry pivots. Before this, his message was largely one of impending judgment, sin, and idolatry. After this, while still addressing the sins of the exiles, his prophecies increasingly turn towards topics of restoration, the new covenant, the return to the land, and the future glory of God's temple.

Linguistic Insights

The recurring phrase "the hand of the LORD" (Hebrew: yad Yahweh) is a powerful idiom throughout Ezekiel, signifying the direct, tangible presence and enabling power of God upon the prophet. It indicates divine inspiration and control over Ezekiel's prophetic actions and words. The term "dumb" or "mute" (Hebrew: 'illem) emphasizes the literal inability to speak the word of the Lord, a condition previously imposed by God for a specific purpose related to the siege of Jerusalem.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 33:22 offers several timeless lessons. It reminds us of God's perfect timing in all things; He knows when to speak and when to be silent, and when to open the mouths of His servants. For believers, it speaks to the restoration of spiritual gifts and callings after periods of difficulty or seeming inactivity. Just as God restored Ezekiel's voice for a new purpose, He can empower us for new phases of service, even after seasons of waiting or hardship. It underscores the importance of being attentive to God's leading, understanding that His plans unfold in divine sequence, often marking the end of one era and the beginning of another.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 1:3

    The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him.

  • Ezekiel 3:26

    And I will make thy tongue cleave to the roof of thy mouth, that thou shalt be dumb, and shalt not be to them a reprover: for they [are] a rebellious house.

  • 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 37:1

    ¶ The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which [was] full of bones,

  • Ezekiel 24:26

    [That] he that escapeth in that day shall come unto thee, to cause [thee] to hear [it] with [thine] ears?

  • Ezekiel 24:27

    In that day shall thy mouth be opened to him which is escaped, and thou shalt speak, and be no more dumb: and thou shalt be a sign unto them; and they shall know that I [am] the LORD.

  • Ezekiel 3:22

    ¶ And the hand of the LORD was there upon me; and he said unto me, Arise, go forth into the plain, and I will there talk with thee.