Ezekiel 33:33

KJV

And when this cometh to pass, (lo, it will come,) then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them.

KJV (with Strong's)

And when this cometh to pass {H935},(lo, it will come {H935},) then shall they know {H3045} that a prophet {H5030} hath been among {H8432} them.

Complete Jewish Bible

So when all this comes true, then, at last, they will realize that a prophet has been there with them."

Berean Standard Bible

So when it comes to pass—and surely it will come—then they will know that a prophet has been among them.”

American Standard Version

And when this cometh to pass (behold, it cometh), then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 33:33 serves as a powerful declaration of God's unwavering sovereignty and the ultimate, undeniable vindication of His prophetic word and messenger. It asserts that when the foretold events, particularly the judgments upon Israel, inevitably come to pass, those who previously dismissed or superficially engaged with Ezekiel's warnings will be compelled to acknowledge that a true emissary of God had indeed been among them. This verse underscores the infallible nature of divine revelation and the certainty of God's active hand in orchestrating historical outcomes, ensuring that His truth is ultimately recognized and affirmed.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse provides a climactic conclusion to a significant section of Ezekiel's prophecy, particularly the re-commissioning of Ezekiel as a "watchman" for the house of Israel in [Ezekiel 33:1-9](/ezekiel/33-1 "Ezekiel 33:1-9 - Ezekiel as Watchman"). Following this divine mandate, the chapter delves into the principles of individual responsibility and the possibility of repentance, contrasting God's desire for life with the people's persistent rebellion. The immediate preceding verses, [Ezekiel 33:30-32](/ezekiel/33-30-32 "Ezekiel 33:30-32 - The People's Superficiality"), paint a vivid picture of the people's superficial engagement with Ezekiel's ministry. They would gather to hear him, treating his prophetic words as a pleasant song or an entertaining story, but their hearts remained far from God, and they failed to act on his warnings. Verse 33 directly confronts this spiritual apathy and disbelief, asserting that the future fulfillment of the prophecies will shatter their illusions and force an undeniable recognition of God's truth and the authenticity of His messenger.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ezekiel's ministry unfolded during the traumatic period of the Babylonian exile, a time of profound national crisis and spiritual disorientation for the Israelites. Jerusalem had either recently fallen (586 BC) or was on the brink of its final destruction, events Ezekiel had prophesied for years. Many exiles struggled to comprehend the catastrophe, clinging to false hopes or dismissing the dire warnings of true prophets. This era was also plagued by numerous false prophets who offered comforting but deceptive messages of peace and imminent return, making it difficult for the people to discern genuine divine revelation. In such an environment, Ezekiel's consistent messages of judgment and exile were often unpopular, met with resistance, outright dismissal, or, as described in [Ezekiel 33:32](/ezekiel/33-32 "Ezekiel 33:32 - A Pleasant Song"), superficial interest. The cultural understanding of a prophet was someone who spoke on behalf of a deity, and the ultimate test of a true prophet was the fulfillment of their words, as explicitly outlined in [Deuteronomy 18:21-22](/deuteronomy/18-21-22 "Deuteronomy 18:21-22 - The Test of a True Prophet"). Ezekiel 33:33 directly addresses this cultural expectation, affirming that God's truth would be undeniably established through historical events.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Ezekiel and the broader prophetic tradition. Firstly, it highlights the **Divine Certainty and Inevitability of God's Word**. The emphatic parenthetical "lo, it will come" underscores that God's decrees, whether of judgment or restoration, are not subject to human will or doubt but will infallibly come to pass. This emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty over history and His faithfulness to His promises and warnings, a theme echoed in passages like [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose"). Secondly, it emphasizes the **Vindication of the Prophet**. Ezekiel, often scorned, ignored, or treated as a mere entertainer, would ultimately be proven true by the unfolding of events. This vindication is not for his personal glory but to confirm that God Himself was speaking through him, establishing the authenticity of God's messengers. Finally, the verse speaks to the theme of **Experiential Knowledge of God**. The phrase "then shall they know" suggests that for some, true understanding and acknowledgment of God's power and presence only come through direct experience of the consequences or blessings of His actions, a recurring motif throughout the Exodus narrative where God's acts lead to people [knowing that He is the Lord](/exodus/14-4 "Exodus 14:4 - God Known Through His Acts").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **come (Hebrew, _bôwʼ'_):** This primitive root signifies movement, arrival, or the occurrence of an event. In Ezekiel 33:33, its repetition ("cometh to pass," "it will come") intensely emphasizes the absolute certainty and inevitability of the prophesied events unfolding precisely as declared by God. It underscores the active bringing to pass of divine decrees, highlighting God's direct involvement in orchestrating historical outcomes and the unstoppable nature of His will.
* **know (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** This verb denotes a deep, experiential knowledge, not merely intellectual assent. It implies recognition, understanding, and acknowledgment that comes through direct encounter or observation. Here, it suggests that the people will come to a profound and undeniable realization of the divine origin of Ezekiel's message, not through persuasion, but through the irrefutable evidence of fulfilled prophecy. This is a knowledge that transforms their previous skepticism into an unavoidable truth, forcing them to confront reality.
* **prophet (Hebrew, _nâbîyʼ'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to bubble up" or "to announce," this term refers to an inspired messenger of God, one who speaks on God's behalf, often conveying divine revelation, warnings, or promises. The vindication of the prophet through the fulfillment of his word confirms the authenticity of his divine commission and the truthfulness of his message, distinguishing him from false prophets who spoke from their own imaginations or for personal gain.
* **among (Hebrew, _tâvek'_):** This word signifies being in the midst or center of something. Its use here emphasizes the physical presence of the prophet Ezekiel within the community of exiles. It highlights that God's messenger was not a distant, abstract figure, but one who lived and ministered directly "among them," making their future acknowledgment even more poignant and inescapable.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when this cometh to pass":** This introductory clause sets the stage for a future, inevitable event. "This" refers specifically to the various prophecies Ezekiel has delivered throughout his ministry, particularly those concerning the judgment upon Jerusalem and Judah, and the subsequent exile and its consequences. It points to a definite point in time when these divinely ordained events will undeniably unfold, demonstrating God's active hand in history.
* **"(lo, it will come,)":** This parenthetical interjection, using the archaic but powerful "lo" (meaning "behold" or "indeed"), serves as an emphatic divine affirmation of the absolute certainty of the event. It is a direct, almost dramatic, assurance from God Himself, underscoring the absolute inevitability and reliability of His word, leaving no room for human doubt or resistance. It reinforces the idea that God's word is not merely a possibility but a definite future reality that God Himself will bring to fruition.
* **"then shall they know":** This clause highlights the profound consequence of the prophecies' fulfillment. The "knowing" is not simply intellectual awareness or a casual understanding, but a deep, experiential, and undeniable recognition. It signifies a profound acknowledgment of God's active hand in history and the truth of His spoken word, compelling those who were previously dismissive or apathetic to confront the undeniable reality of God's power and truth.
* **"that a prophet hath been among them":** This final phrase reveals the ultimate vindication. The fulfillment of the word will serve as irrefutable proof that Ezekiel was not merely a human voice speaking his own opinions or a false prophet offering deceptive comfort, but a genuine messenger of God, commissioned and empowered by the Almighty. This knowledge will come to those who previously doubted, mocked, or ignored his warnings, confirming the divine authenticity of his ministry and the source of his message.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 33:33 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Emphasis**, achieved through the **Parenthetical Interjection** "(lo, it will come,)". This direct, almost exclamatory, divine voice breaks the narrative flow to underscore the absolute certainty and inevitability of the prophecy's fulfillment, leaving no room for doubt or human resistance. There is also a strong element of **Foreshadowing**, as the verse looks forward to a future moment of undeniable vindication for the prophet and God's word, building anticipation for the unfolding of divine judgment and the subsequent forced recognition. Furthermore, a subtle **Irony** is present: the people who currently treat Ezekiel's words as mere entertainment or a pleasant song will, in the future, be forced into a profound and undeniable "knowing" through the very events they dismissed. This stark contrast between present disbelief and future certainty highlights the ultimate triumph of divine truth over human skepticism and apathy.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 33:33 stands as a powerful testament to the reliability of God's word and the ultimate vindication of His messengers. Theologically, it asserts God's absolute sovereignty over history, demonstrating that His plans and pronouncements will inevitably come to pass, regardless of human skepticism or resistance. It underscores the principle that God's truth is not merely theoretical but is demonstrably proven through the unfolding of events in time. For those who dismiss divine warnings, this verse serves as a stark reminder that a day of reckoning, or at least a day of undeniable clarity and forced acknowledgment, will arrive, compelling them to recognize God's active presence and authority. This vindication of the prophet is not for personal glory but to confirm the divine source of the message, ensuring that the people recognize God's voice speaking through His servant. This truth provides both a warning to the complacent and an assurance to those who faithfully proclaim God's word.

* [Deuteronomy 18:21-22](/deuteronomy/18-21-22 "Deuteronomy 18:21-22 - The Test of a True Prophet")
* [Isaiah 55:10-11](/isaiah/55-10-11 "Isaiah 55:10-11 - God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose")
* [John 13:19](/john/13-19 "John 13:19 - Jesus Foretells His Betrayal to Confirm His Identity")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 33:33 offers profound and enduring lessons for believers today, challenging us to consider our own posture towards God's revealed truth. In a world often characterized by skepticism, doubt, and a tendency to dismiss inconvenient truths or treat spiritual matters superficially, this verse calls us to a deeper, unwavering trust in the certainty of God's Word. Just as the people of Ezekiel's day would eventually "know" through undeniable experience, we are reminded that God's promises and warnings, though sometimes slow in their fulfillment, are absolutely reliable and will inevitably come to pass. This should inspire unwavering faith in His character, His control over all circumstances, and the ultimate triumph of His will. It also serves as a sober reminder to heed the biblical truths we encounter, especially those that call for repentance, warn of consequences for sin, or challenge our comfortable assumptions. We are not to treat God's Word as mere literature, entertainment, or a pleasant song, but as the living, active, and authoritative voice of the Almighty, shaping our present and determining our future. Our response to God's revealed truth today will profoundly determine our "knowing" in the future.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of your life might you be treating God's Word as a "pleasant song" or an interesting story, rather than a divine command to be obeyed and acted upon?**
* **What current challenges, uncertainties, or doubts are you facing that this verse's emphasis on God's certain fulfillment can bring comfort, clarity, or renewed conviction to?**
* **How does the ultimate vindication of Ezekiel, and by extension all true messengers of God, encourage you to stand firm in your faith and proclaim biblical truth, even when faced with skepticism or opposition from the world?**
* **What does it mean for you to "know" God experientially, beyond mere intellectual assent, in light of this verse, and how might you cultivate a deeper, more profound knowledge of Him?**

### FAQ
**What does the phrase "(lo, it will come,)" mean in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "(lo, it will come,)" is a powerful parenthetical interjection that serves as an emphatic divine affirmation. "Lo" is an archaic English interjection meaning "behold" or "indeed." Therefore, the full phrase translates to "Behold, it will certainly come!" or "Indeed, it will surely come!" It is God's direct assurance, breaking into the narrative to underscore the absolute inevitability and certainty of the prophecies Ezekiel has delivered. It emphasizes that God's word is not merely a possibility or a prediction, but a definite future reality that He Himself will bring to pass, leaving no room for doubt or human resistance. It highlights God's sovereignty and the unbreakable nature of His decrees.

**How does this verse relate to the idea of a "true prophet" in the Old Testament?**

Answer: This verse is intrinsically linked to the concept of a true prophet in the Old Testament, as outlined in [Deuteronomy 18:21-22](/deuteronomy/18-21-22 "Deuteronomy 18:21-22 - The Test of a True Prophet"). That passage states that if a prophet speaks in the Lord's name, and the word does not come to pass, then the Lord has not spoken it. Conversely, if the word does come to pass, it confirms the prophet's divine commission. Ezekiel 33:33 is the ultimate fulfillment of this test for Ezekiel. It asserts that the future, undeniable fulfillment of his prophecies will serve as irrefutable proof that he was indeed a genuine messenger of Yahweh. The people's future "knowing" that "a prophet hath been among them" is the divine validation of Ezekiel's ministry, distinguishing him from false prophets who spoke lies or comforting deceptions from their own hearts.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 33:33, with its profound emphasis on the certainty of the prophetic word and the ultimate vindication of God's messenger, finds its most complete and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Ezekiel was a prophet who spoke God's words, Jesus is the very [Word of God made flesh](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), the ultimate Prophet whom Moses foretold would come ([Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Deuteronomy 18:15 - A Prophet Like Moses")). Every prophecy concerning the Messiah, from His miraculous birth to His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, "came to pass" with absolute precision in Him, leaving no doubt that He was indeed God's unique Son and perfect Messenger. His teachings, like the words of Ezekiel, were often met with skepticism and rejection, yet Jesus declared with divine authority, "[Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away](/matthew/24-35 "Matthew 24:35 - The Certainty of Jesus' Words")" ([Matthew 24:35](/matthew/24-35 "Matthew 24:35 - The Certainty of Jesus' Words")). The resurrection of Jesus, the ultimate "coming to pass" of His own prophecy concerning His body and temple ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Predicts His Resurrection")), served as the irrefutable proof that "a prophet hath been among them"—indeed, more than a prophet, God Himself in human form, the one through whom all of God's promises find their "Yes and Amen" ([2_corinthians/1-20](/2-corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises are Yes in Christ")). Through Christ, we not only "know" that a prophet was among us, but we truly "know" God Himself, for He is "the way, and the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")), and in Him, the ultimate divine plan for salvation is perfectly fulfilled.

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

Jeremiah 28:9

The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, [then] shall the prophet be known, that the LORD hath truly sent him.

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.

1 Samuel 3:19

¶ And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.

1 Samuel 3:20

And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel [was] established [to be] a prophet of the LORD.

Luke 10:11

Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.

2 Kings 5:8

And it was [so], when Elisha the man of God had heard that the king of Israel had rent his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, Wherefore hast thou rent thy clothes? let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.

Ezekiel 33:29

Then shall they know that I [am] the LORD, when I have laid the land most desolate because of all their abominations which they have committed.