Ezekiel 36:16

KJV

¶ Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

KJV (with Strong's)

Moreover the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068} came unto me, saying {H559},

Complete Jewish Bible

The word of ADONAI came to me:

Berean Standard Bible

Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

American Standard Version

Moreover the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 36:16 serves as a crucial introductory statement, marking the commencement of a new divine oracle delivered by the LORD to the prophet Ezekiel. This brief but potent verse signals a significant shift in the prophetic discourse, moving from prophecies primarily concerned with the physical restoration of the land of Israel to a profound exposition of God's plan for the spiritual renewal and transformation of His people, setting the stage for one of the most celebrated promises in the Old Testament.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse acts as a formal heading, introducing a new prophetic revelation within the book of Ezekiel. It immediately follows a section (Ezekiel 36:1-15) that details God's promise to restore the desolate mountains of Israel, bringing them back to fruitfulness and repopulating them with His people. The preceding verses focused on the physical land's vindication against surrounding nations. Ezekiel 36:16, however, pivots the narrative towards the internal, spiritual condition of Israel, foreshadowing the promise of a new heart and spirit found in [Ezekiel 36:26](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26 - The Promise of a New Heart"). This structural transition is vital, indicating that God's restoration plan is comprehensive, encompassing both external circumstances and internal transformation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Ezekiel ministered during the Babylonian exile (597-538 BC), a period of profound national trauma and despair for the Jewish people. They had lost their land, their temple, and their king, leading to questions about God's faithfulness and their covenant status. In this context, divine messages were critical for maintaining hope and understanding God's ongoing purposes. The phrase "the word of the LORD came unto me" was a standard prophetic formula, establishing the divine authority and origin of the message in a culture where oral tradition and divine pronouncements were paramount. The people desperately needed to hear that God had not abandoned them and that His ultimate plan for their restoration was still in motion.
* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 36:16 underscores several foundational themes prevalent throughout the book of Ezekiel and the prophetic literature. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Revelation**, emphasizing that God is an active, communicating God who chooses to disclose His will to humanity through His chosen servants. Secondly, it signals a **Prophetic Transition**, moving the focus from the physical desolation and restoration of the land to the deeper, more profound spiritual renewal of the people, a theme that culminates in the promise of a new covenant and the indwelling Spirit. Lastly, it powerfully demonstrates **God's Initiative and Sovereignty**, as it is the LORD who initiates this communication, not in response to Israel's merit, but out of His own holy character and unwavering purpose to restore His people, as seen in the broader narrative of [Ezekiel](/ezekiel/1 "The Book of Ezekiel - Prophecies of Judgment and Restoration").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **word (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** From the root `דָבַר`, this term signifies more than just a spoken utterance; it encompasses a matter, a thing, an affair, or a decree. In this context, "the word of the LORD" (`dâbâr Yᵉhôvâh`) carries immense weight, denoting a powerful, authoritative, and effective communication from God that is not merely informative but performative—it brings about what it declares. It highlights the divine origin and the inherent power of the message that follows.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the sacred covenant name of God, often transliterated as "Jehovah" or rendered as "Yahweh." Derived from the root `הָיָה` ("to be"), it signifies the self-existent, eternal, and unchanging God who is faithful to His covenant promises. The use of `Yᵉhôvâh` here underscores that the message originates from the sovereign, covenant-keeping God of Israel, lending ultimate authority and trustworthiness to the subsequent prophecy.
* **saying (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** This primitive root means "to say," used with broad latitude to include answering, appointing, commanding, declaring, or uttering. In this prophetic formula, it indicates a direct, intentional, and verbal communication from God to Ezekiel, introducing the precise content of the divine message. It emphasizes the directness and clarity of God's revelation to His prophet.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ Moreover"**: This introductory particle serves as a transition, indicating that what follows is a continuation of God's communication, yet often with a new emphasis or a distinct phase of revelation. It links the preceding promises of physical restoration to the subsequent, deeper promises of spiritual renewal.
* **"the word of the LORD came unto me"**: This is a classic and frequently used prophetic formula throughout the Old Testament. It unequivocally establishes the divine origin of the message, asserting that the prophet Ezekiel is not speaking his own thoughts or opinions, but is merely the recipient and conduit of God's direct communication. It highlights God's active engagement with His people and His initiative in revealing His plans.
* **"saying,"**: This participle introduces the content of the divine message. It signifies that the following verses contain the specific words and instructions that the LORD imparted to Ezekiel, signaling the beginning of a new oracle that will unfold the details of God's profound spiritual promises for Israel.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 36:16 primarily employs a **Prophetic Formula**, "the word of the LORD came unto me, saying," which is a recurring literary device throughout prophetic books (e.g., Jeremiah, Isaiah). This formula functions as a powerful authentication marker, immediately signaling to the audience that the subsequent message is not of human origin but is a direct **Divine Address** from the sovereign God. Its repetitive use reinforces the authority and reliability of the prophetic word. Furthermore, the verse acts as a **Transition Marker**, signaling a significant thematic shift within Ezekiel 36, moving from the physical restoration of the land to the spiritual transformation of the people. This structural device prepares the reader for a deeper theological exploration.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 36:16 is theologically significant because it reaffirms the foundational truth that all genuine revelation originates from God. It underscores His active involvement in human history and His unwavering commitment to communicate His will and purposes to His people. This divine initiative is not contingent on human merit but flows from God's own character and covenant faithfulness. The verse sets the stage for the profound theological shift from external, physical restoration to internal, spiritual renewal, which is a hallmark of God's ultimate plan for His people. It highlights that true restoration must begin with a transformed heart, a theme that resonates throughout biblical theology.

* [Jeremiah 1:9](/jeremiah/1-9 "Jeremiah 1:9 - God's Word in the Prophet's Mouth")
* [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - The Efficacy of God's Word")
* [Hebrews 4:12](/hebrews/4-12 "Hebrews 4:12 - The Living and Active Word of God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Though brief, Ezekiel 36:16 carries profound implications for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God is a speaking God, and His Word is the ultimate source of truth, guidance, and hope. In a world saturated with competing voices, this verse calls us to prioritize listening for and discerning the authentic voice of the LORD. It encourages us to approach Scripture not merely as ancient texts but as living, active words from the Creator of the universe. Furthermore, by introducing the theme of spiritual renewal, it prompts us to consider our own need for inner transformation, recognizing that God's work in us is not just about changing our circumstances but fundamentally changing our hearts and spirits. This verse invites us to anticipate and embrace the profound spiritual work God desires to accomplish in and through us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does recognizing "the word of the LORD came unto me" impact your approach to reading Scripture?**
* **In what areas of your life are you seeking God's spiritual renewal, and how does His Word guide that process?**
* **How does the divine initiative in this verse encourage you regarding God's faithfulness to His promises?**

### FAQ
**Why is this verse so short yet significant?**

Answer: Ezekiel 36:16 is significant precisely because of its brevity and its function as a "heading" or "superscription." It's a standard prophetic formula that signals the beginning of a new, distinct, and highly important oracle from God. While the words themselves are simple, their placement here marks a pivotal transition in Ezekiel's prophecy, moving from the physical restoration of the land to the much deeper and more profound spiritual restoration of the people, including the promise of a new heart and spirit (e.g., [Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - The New Heart and Spirit")). It sets the stage for some of the most comforting and hope-filled promises in the Old Testament.

**What is the significance of the phrase "the word of the LORD"?**

Answer: The phrase "the word of the LORD" (Hebrew: `dâbâr Yᵉhôvâh`) is a powerful declaration of divine authority and origin. It emphasizes that the message conveyed through Ezekiel is not his own human insight or opinion, but a direct, authoritative, and infallible utterance from God Himself. The term "word" (`dâbâr`) in Hebrew often implies not just speech but also action and efficacy, meaning God's word is not merely spoken but has the power to accomplish what it declares. The use of "LORD" (`Yᵉhôvâh`), God's covenant name, further underscores that this message comes from the faithful, self-existent God who keeps His promises, lending ultimate credibility and weight to the prophecy that follows. It highlights God's active engagement with His creation and His deliberate choice to communicate His will to humanity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 36:16, by introducing the "word of the LORD" that promises spiritual renewal, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "word of the LORD" that came to Ezekiel foreshadows the coming of the ultimate "Word" of God, Jesus Christ, who is God incarnate ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Became Flesh")). He is the final and complete revelation of God, through whom God has spoken His definitive word to humanity ([Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God's Final Word in His Son")). The spiritual transformation promised in the subsequent verses of Ezekiel 36—the giving of a new heart and a new spirit, and the indwelling of God's Spirit—is fully realized in the New Covenant established through Christ's atoning sacrifice ([Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The New Covenant")). Through faith in Him, believers receive the Holy Spirit, who writes God's law on their hearts and empowers them to live in obedience, fulfilling the very promises introduced by this divine declaration in Ezekiel ([Romans 8:3-4](/romans/8-3 "Romans 8:3-4 - The Law Fulfilled in Christ")). Thus, Ezekiel 36:16 is a prophetic signpost pointing to the glorious work of redemption and spiritual regeneration accomplished by 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.