Ezekiel 6:1

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

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

The word of ADONAI came to me:

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

And the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying,

Ezekiel 6:1 serves as a concise introductory verse, signaling the beginning of a new divine message from the LORD to the prophet Ezekiel. In the King James Version, the "¶" symbol indicates a new section or paragraph, marking a transition in the prophetic discourse.

Context

This verse places us firmly within the prophetic ministry of Ezekiel during the Babylonian exile. He was a priest living among the Judean captives by the Chebar River (modern-day Iraq) after the first deportation from Jerusalem in 597 BC. The preceding chapters (Ezekiel 1-5) establish Ezekiel's call, his vision of God's glory, and a series of symbolic actions illustrating Jerusalem's impending siege and destruction. Chapter 6, introduced by this verse, shifts focus to a specific prophecy of judgment against the mountains of Israel, highlighting the widespread idolatry that permeated the land and provoked God's wrath.

Key Themes

Divine Revelation: The phrase "the word of the LORD came unto me" underscores that Ezekiel's message originates directly from God, not from human wisdom or political insight. This establishes the divine authority of the prophecy.
Prophetic Commission: It reaffirms Ezekiel's role as God's spokesperson, entrusted with delivering God's solemn declarations to a rebellious people.
Introduction to Judgment: This verse serves as a preamble to a significant prophecy concerning God's impending judgment upon the land of Israel due to its pervasive sin, especially its worship of idols on high places.

Linguistic Insights

The recurring phrase "the word of the LORD" (Hebrew: dabar Yahweh) is a standard prophetic formula found throughout the Old Testament. It signifies the authoritative, living, and powerful communication from God (Yahweh, God's covenant name) to His chosen prophet. This emphasizes that the following message is not merely Ezekiel's opinion but a direct, divine utterance, carrying the full weight of God's authority and intention.

Practical Application

For believers today, Ezekiel 6:1 reminds us that God continues to communicate. While direct prophetic utterances in the same manner are rare, God speaks powerfully through His written Word, the Bible, and through the Holy Spirit. This verse encourages us to be attentive and responsive to God's voice, recognizing His authority in our lives. It also serves as a timeless reminder of God's unwavering opposition to spiritual idolatry—anything that takes precedence over Him in our hearts and lives. Just as God judged ancient Israel for their turning away, He calls us to a wholehearted devotion.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

No cross-references found for this verse.