Ezekiel 33:32

KJV

And, lo, thou [art] unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.

KJV (with Strong's)

And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely {H5690} song {H7892} of one that hath a pleasant {H3303} voice {H6963}, and can play well {H2895} on an instrument {H5059}: for they hear {H8085} thy words {H1697}, but they do {H6213} them not.

Complete Jewish Bible

so for them you are like a love-song sung by someone with a nice voice who can play an instrument well - they hear your words, but they don't act on them.

Berean Standard Bible

Indeed, you are to them like a singer of love songs with a beautiful voice, who skillfully plays an instrument. They hear your words but do not put them into practice.

American Standard Version

And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument; for they hear thy words, but they do them not.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 33:32 powerfully illustrates the spiritual apathy of God's people, who treated the prophet's divine message as a captivating performance rather than a life-altering command. Despite the profound beauty and compelling delivery of Ezekiel's words, the audience engaged with them superficially, enjoying the aesthetic and intellectual stimulation without any intention of internalizing or obeying the truth. This verse serves as a timeless warning against the danger of spiritual entertainment that bypasses genuine repentance and transformative obedience to God's word.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a pivotal chapter where God re-establishes Ezekiel's role as a "watchman" for Israel, emphasizing the grave responsibility of delivering divine warnings and the dire consequences of both the watchman's failure and the people's disobedience ([Ezekiel 33:1-9](/ezekiel/33-1 "Ezekiel 33:1-9 - The Watchman's Responsibility")). Following the fall of Jerusalem, Ezekiel's ministry shifts from primarily prophesying judgment to offering hope and calling for repentance among the exiles in Babylon. Verses [Ezekiel 33:30-31](/ezekiel/33-30 "Ezekiel 33:30-31 - The People's Superficial Engagement") immediately precede our verse, describing how the people would gather to hear Ezekiel, speaking of him among themselves, yet their hearts were set on dishonest gain and their actions did not align with their feigned interest. Ezekiel 33:32 then provides God's own assessment of their true disposition towards His word.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The people addressed in this passage were Jewish exiles living in Babylon, having been deported from Judah following the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem. They were a disheartened and often rebellious community, struggling to reconcile their present suffering with God's past promises. Prophets like Ezekiel served as God's direct spokespersons, delivering messages that often challenged the status quo and called for radical transformation. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, public speaking and storytelling were significant forms of entertainment and information dissemination. The people's gathering to hear Ezekiel might have been a common social activity, a way to pass the time, or to hear fascinating predictions, rather than a solemn assembly for divine instruction. Their cultural context, marked by a history of idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness, contributed to their spiritual dullness, making them prone to treat sacred revelation as mere spectacle.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme highlighted in [Ezekiel 33:32](/ezekiel/33-32 "Ezekiel 33:32 - Hearing but Not Doing") is the profound **spiritual hypocrisy** of the people. They outwardly expressed interest in God's word and enjoyed its delivery, yet their hearts remained uncommitted and their lives unchanged. This illustrates the critical biblical distinction between **hearing and doing**, a theme echoed throughout Scripture, emphasizing that true faith is demonstrated through active obedience, not merely intellectual or emotional appreciation. The verse also underscores the **allure of spiritual entertainment**, where the aesthetic qualities of a message or messenger can overshadow its transformative truth, leading to a superficial engagement with the divine. This superficiality is a form of spiritual blindness, where the form is appreciated but the substance is rejected, as seen in Jesus' lament over Jerusalem in [Matthew 23:37](/matthew/23-37 "Matthew 23:37 - Jesus Laments Over Jerusalem").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **lovely (Hebrew, _'egeb'_):** From H5690, meaning "love (concretely), i.e. amative words; much love, very lovely." This word carries a nuance beyond mere pleasantness; it can suggest a captivating, even alluring or enticing quality, often associated with sensual or romantic love. When applied to God's word, it implies the people found Ezekiel's message aesthetically pleasing and emotionally captivating, much like a love song, but without the commitment or transformative power that true divine love demands.
* **song (Hebrew, _shîyr'_):** From H7892, meaning "a song; abstractly, singing; musical(-ick)." This word reinforces the idea of the message being treated as a performance or entertainment. It highlights the auditory and artistic appeal, suggesting that the people were drawn to the melody and rhythm of Ezekiel's prophecies rather than their weighty content or divine authority. The combination with 'egeb creates the image of a "love song," emphasizing the superficial and pleasurable aspect.
* **do (Hebrew, _'âsâh'_):** From H6213, meaning "to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use." This comprehensive definition underscores the breadth of action implied. The people's failure to "do" God's words means they failed to act upon them in any meaningful way—to obey, to practice, to fulfill, to execute, or to perform the divine commands. This highlights the stark contrast between passive reception and active obedience.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song":** This initial clause reveals God's assessment of how Ezekiel, and by extension, His divine message, was perceived by the people. Despite the gravity and urgency of the prophetic word, it was reduced to a mere aesthetic experience, a delightful sound that entertained rather than transformed. The phrase "very lovely song" (Hebrew: _shir 'agabim_) suggests a captivating, even alluring melody, indicating that the people were drawn to the superficial charm of Ezekiel's delivery.
* **"of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument":** This further elaborates on the aesthetic appeal. It emphasizes the quality of the "performance" – a skilled orator with a pleasing voice, accompanied by musical talent. This imagery paints a vivid picture of the people treating Ezekiel's prophetic ministry like a concert or a theatrical show, appreciating the artistry and skill involved, but detaching it from its divine authority and life-altering implications.
* **"for they hear thy words, but they do them not":** This final clause delivers the devastating indictment and reveals the core issue: a profound disconnect between hearing and doing. The people actively "hear" (Hebrew: _shama'_, implying listening with attention) God's words, acknowledging their presence and content. However, this intellectual or auditory reception is utterly devoid of practical obedience. Their failure to "do" (Hebrew: _'asâh_ – to make, perform, accomplish) the words exposes their spiritual hypocrisy and the superficiality of their engagement with God.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 33:32 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is **Simile**, where God compares Ezekiel's prophetic ministry to "a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument." This comparison vividly illustrates how the people perceived the divine message: not as a solemn command or a life-and-death warning, but as a source of aesthetic pleasure and entertainment. This simile is imbued with **Irony**, as the very word of God, intended to convict, transform, and save, is treated with the same casual enjoyment as a musical performance. The profound spiritual truth is paradoxically diminished by its captivating presentation. Furthermore, the verse masterfully uses **Contrast** to highlight the central problem: "they hear thy words, but they do them not." This stark juxtaposition underscores the chasm between intellectual or auditory reception and practical obedience, emphasizing that true engagement with God's word requires active response, not passive enjoyment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 33:32 serves as a timeless theological commentary on the nature of human rebellion and the superficiality of spiritual engagement. It reveals that the problem is not with the clarity or beauty of God's word, nor with the messenger, but with the hardened heart of the hearer. The people's response demonstrates a profound spiritual hypocrisy, where outward show of interest masks an inward refusal to submit. This challenges the notion that mere exposure to divine truth is sufficient for transformation; rather, it requires a responsive heart willing to obey. The verse underscores God's persistent desire for genuine obedience over ritualistic or aesthetic appreciation, highlighting that true faith is evidenced by a life changed by the word, not just entertained by it.

* [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."
* [Matthew 7:24-27](/matthew/7-24-27 "Matthew 7:24-27 - The Wise and Foolish Builders") - Jesus' parable of the wise and foolish builders, where hearing and doing are contrasted with hearing and not doing.
* [Luke 6:46](/luke/6-46 "Luke 6:46 - Why Call Me 'Lord, Lord'?") - "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?"

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 33:32 offers a piercing self-examination for believers in every age. In an era saturated with spiritual content—sermons, podcasts, worship music, and online teachings—it is alarmingly easy to become a consumer of spiritual entertainment rather than a diligent disciple. We can enjoy the eloquence of a speaker, the beauty of a worship song, or the intellectual stimulation of theological discussion, yet fail to allow the truth to penetrate our hearts and transform our lives. This verse calls us to move beyond passive listening and aesthetic appreciation to active, obedient living. It challenges us to ask whether our engagement with God's word is truly transformative or merely recreational. Are we seeking to be entertained, informed, or genuinely changed? The true measure of our spiritual health is not how much we hear, but how faithfully we obey.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be treating God's word as a "lovely song" rather than a call to action in my own life?**
* **What specific areas of my life reveal a disconnect between what I hear from God's word and what I actually do?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart that is not just attentive to God's word, but actively responsive and obedient to it?**

### FAQ
**What does "a very lovely song" imply about the people's reception of Ezekiel's message?**

Answer: The phrase "a very lovely song" (Hebrew: _shir 'agabim_) implies that the people found Ezekiel's prophetic message aesthetically pleasing, captivating, and enjoyable, much like a beautiful piece of music or a compelling performance. However, this appreciation was superficial. They were drawn to the prophet's eloquence, voice, and perhaps the fascinating nature of his visions, treating God's solemn word as mere entertainment rather than a divine command requiring repentance and obedience. It suggests a focus on the form and delivery over the life-altering substance of the message, indicating a deep spiritual detachment despite outward interest.

**Why did the people "hear thy words, but do them not"?**

Answer: The people's failure to "do" God's words, despite hearing them, stemmed from a hardened heart and a lack of genuine commitment to God. As described in [Ezekiel 33:31](/ezekiel/33-31 "Ezekiel 33:31 - Their Hearts Set on Gain"), their hearts were "set on their covetousness." They prioritized their own desires, sinful practices, and material gain over God's will. Their listening was not motivated by a desire for transformation or repentance, but perhaps by curiosity, social custom, or even a superstitious hope that hearing the prophet might somehow bring good fortune without requiring personal change. This spiritual hypocrisy is a recurring theme in the Bible, where outward religious observance masks inward rebellion, as seen in [Isaiah 29:13](/isaiah/29-13 "Isaiah 29:13 - Lip Service, Not Heart Service").

**Is this passage still relevant for believers today?**

Answer: Absolutely. Ezekiel 33:32 is profoundly relevant today. In an age of abundant spiritual content—sermons, podcasts, worship music, and online teachings—it serves as a critical warning against passive consumption of God's word. It challenges believers to examine whether their engagement with spiritual truth leads to genuine transformation and obedience, or if it remains at the level of mere intellectual stimulation or emotional enjoyment. The danger of being "hearers only" and not "doers" is a timeless spiritual pitfall, as emphasized in [James 1:22](/james/1-22 "James 1:22 - Be Doers of the Word"). This verse calls us to cultivate a heart that actively seeks to apply God's word to daily life, ensuring that our faith is living and active, not merely entertained.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 33:32, with its poignant portrayal of a people who heard but did not do, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound contrast in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Ezekiel's message, like a "lovely song," was admired for its form but rejected in its call to obedience, Jesus is the very Word of God made flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), who not only perfectly declared God's will but also perfectly "did" it. He is the ultimate Prophet, whose words were indeed beautiful and compelling, yet many who heard Him also failed to obey, preferring the signs and wonders over true discipleship ([John 6:26](/john/6-26 "John 6:26 - Seeking Loaves, Not Christ")). However, unlike Ezekiel's audience, those who truly hear Jesus' words and "do" them are likened to the wise builder whose house stands firm against the storms ([Matthew 7:24-27](/matthew/7-24-27 "Matthew 7:24-27 - The Wise and Foolish Builders")). Christ's life was the embodiment of perfect obedience, culminating in His sacrificial death on the cross, which accomplished what no human hearing or doing could ever achieve: reconciliation with God ([Romans 5:19](/romans/5-19 "Romans 5:19 - Obedience of One")). Through the Holy Spirit, Christ empowers believers not merely to hear His words, but to truly understand and obey them, transforming passive listeners into active disciples who bear fruit for God's glory ([John 15:5](/john/15-5 "John 15:5 - Abiding in Christ")).

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

Mark 6:20

For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.

John 5:35

He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.

Mark 4:16

And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;

Mark 4:17

And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.