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Ezekiel 3:27

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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.

But when I speak {H1696} with {H854} thee, I will open {H6605} thy mouth {H6310}, and thou shalt say {H559} unto them, Thus saith {H559} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}; He that heareth {H8085}, let him hear {H8085}; and he that forbeareth {H2310}, let him forbear {H2308}: for they are a rebellious {H4805} house {H1004}.

But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth; and you will say to them, 'This is what Adonai ELOHIM says.' Whoever is inclined to listen will listen, and whoever is inclined to refuse will refuse, because they are a rebellious house.

But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you are to tell them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says.’ Whoever listens, let him listen; and whoever refuses, let him refuse, for they are a rebellious house.

But when I speak with thee, I will open thy mouth, and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: He that heareth, let him hear; and he that forbeareth, let him forbear: for they are a rebellious house.

Commentary

Ezekiel 3:27 marks a pivotal moment in the prophet Ezekiel's ministry, transitioning from a period of enforced silence to a renewed commission to speak God's word. This verse underscores the divine control over prophetic utterance and the crucial responsibility of those who hear it.

Context

Following a period where God had "shut" Ezekiel's mouth (as described in Ezekiel 3:26), this verse signals the lifting of that restriction. Ezekiel had been called to be a watchman to the exiled Israelites, a "rebellious house" (a theme frequently repeated in the book, for example, in Ezekiel 2:5). His previous isolation and inability to speak served to highlight that his words were not his own, but solely from the Lord.

Key Themes

  • Divine Authority in Prophecy: The phrase "Thus saith the Lord GOD" emphasizes that Ezekiel is merely a conduit for God's message. God dictates when Ezekiel speaks and what he says, ensuring the purity and power of the divine word. The opening of Ezekiel's mouth is an act of divine enablement, similar to how God prepared other prophets for their tasks (Jeremiah 1:9).
  • Human Accountability: The declaration, "He that heareth, let him hear; and he that forbeareth, let him forbear," powerfully conveys the individual's responsibility to respond to God's truth. It highlights the freedom of choice and the inevitable consequences of either heeding or rejecting the divine message. This sentiment echoes throughout scripture, notably in Jesus' parables, such as in Mark 4:9.
  • Persistent Rebellion: The concluding phrase, "for they are a rebellious house," encapsulates the deep-seated resistance and stubbornness of the Israelites. Despite God's persistent warnings and calls to repentance, their hearts remained hardened, making Ezekiel's task exceptionally challenging.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Thus saith the Lord GOD" is a standard prophetic formula in Hebrew, כה אמר אדני יהוה (ko amar Adonai Yahweh), clearly indicating the divine origin and authority of the message. The term "rebellious house" (Hebrew: בית מרי, beit meri) is a recurring motif in Ezekiel, underscoring the persistent disobedience of the people of Israel.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 3:27 offers profound lessons for believers today. First, it reminds us that God's word is sovereign and carries inherent authority; our role is to proclaim it faithfully. Second, it highlights the importance of personal accountability: every individual is responsible for how they respond to God's truth. We cannot force others to believe, but we are called to deliver the message clearly, trusting God to work in hearts. Finally, it encourages perseverance in sharing the Gospel, even when faced with indifference or rejection, knowing that God's message will accomplish His purposes (Isaiah 55:11).

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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 12:2 (7 votes)

    Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they [are] a rebellious house.

  • Ezekiel 12:3 (7 votes)

    Therefore, thou son of man, prepare thee stuff for removing, and remove by day in their sight; and thou shalt remove from thy place to another place in their sight: it may be they will consider, though they [be] a rebellious house.

  • Ezekiel 24:27 (5 votes)

    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 3:11 (4 votes)

    And go, get thee to them of the captivity, unto the children of thy people, and speak unto them, and tell them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear.

  • Ezekiel 29:21 (3 votes)

    In that day will I cause the horn of the house of Israel to bud forth, and I will give thee the opening of the mouth in the midst of them; and they shall know that I [am] the LORD.

  • Matthew 11:15 (2 votes)

    He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

  • Ezekiel 33:32 (2 votes)

    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.