Ezekiel 33:30

¶ Also, thou son of man, the children of thy people still are talking against thee by the walls and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to another, every one to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the LORD.

Also, thou son {H1121} of man {H120}, the children {H1121} of thy people {H5971} still are talking {H1696} against {H681} thee by the walls {H7023} and in the doors {H6607} of the houses {H1004}, and speak {H1696} one {H2297} to another {H259}, every one {H376} to his brother {H251}, saying {H559}, Come {H935}, I pray you, and hear {H8085} what is the word {H1697} that cometh forth {H3318} from the LORD {H3068}.

"Now you, human being, your people are gathering and talking about you by the walls and in the doorways of houses. They're saying to each other, each one telling his brother, 'Come, let's go and hear the latest word coming from ADONAI.'

As for you, son of man, your people are talking about you near the city walls and in the doorways of their houses. One speaks to another, each saying to his brother, ‘Come and hear the message that has come from the LORD!’

And as for thee, son of man, the children of thy people talk of thee by the walls and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to another, every one to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and hear what is the word that cometh forth from Jehovah.

Commentary

Context of Ezekiel 33:30

Ezekiel 33 marks a significant shift in the prophet Ezekiel's ministry. After the fall of Jerusalem (mentioned in Ezekiel 33:21), the focus shifts from pronouncements of judgment to messages of restoration and individual responsibility. However, this verse reveals a persistent problem among the exiled Israelites in Babylon: a superficial interest in God's word and His prophet. Ezekiel had been appointed as a watchman for the house of Israel, tasked with warning the people.

Despite the gravity of their situation—living in exile due to their disobedience—many of the people treated Ezekiel's prophecies more like entertainment or gossip than divine commands. They would gather at their homes, discussing the prophet and his words, but without genuine intent to obey or repent. This highlights the spiritual apathy and hypocrisy prevalent among some of the exiles, even as God was offering a path to revival and restoration.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Superficiality vs. Sincerity: The verse powerfully illustrates the danger of a superficial engagement with spiritual matters. The people were eager to "hear what is the word that cometh forth from the LORD," but their actions, as revealed in the subsequent verses (Ezekiel 33:31-32), show their hearts were far from God. They enjoyed the prophet's eloquence but did not apply his message.
  • The Burden of the Prophet: Ezekiel, like many prophets, faced the challenge of delivering God's truth to an audience that was more interested in the messenger or the performance than the message itself. This can be a disheartening reality for those called to speak God's word.
  • Hypocrisy in Religious Practice: The Israelites' behavior is a classic example of religious hypocrisy. They maintained an outward semblance of interest in God's word while their inner lives remained unchanged and disobedient. This contrasts sharply with God's desire for genuine repentance and transformation.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "talking against thee" (Hebrew: dabar) here doesn't necessarily imply direct opposition or slander, but rather a casual, conversational discussion *about* Ezekiel. It suggests they were treating his prophetic pronouncements as a topic of social interest or curiosity, perhaps even a form of entertainment, rather than as a serious divine mandate. They would say, "Come, I pray you, and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the LORD," indicating an eagerness to listen but not necessarily to obey. This highlights a disconnect between their outward display of interest and their inner spiritual condition.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 33:30 serves as a timeless warning and a call to self-reflection for believers today:

  • Examine Your Heart: Are we truly listening to God's Word with an open and obedient heart, or are we merely consumers of religious content? It challenges us to move beyond intellectual curiosity or emotional enjoyment of sermons and teachings to genuine application and transformation.
  • Beware of Spiritual Consumerism: In an age of abundant Christian media, it's easy to become passive listeners who appreciate good preaching or teaching without allowing it to penetrate and change our lives. This verse reminds us that true faith requires active obedience, not just passive reception.
  • Encouragement for Ministers: For those in ministry, this verse acknowledges the common challenge of delivering God's truth to audiences who may be more interested in the messenger's style or personality than in the life-changing power of the message itself. It encourages faithfulness in proclamation regardless of the audience's reception.
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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

  • Isaiah 29:13 (3 votes)

    Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near [me] with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

  • Matthew 22:16 (3 votes)

    And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any [man]: for thou regardest not the person of men.

  • Matthew 22:17 (3 votes)

    Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?

  • Matthew 15:8 (3 votes)

    This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with [their] lips; but their heart is far from me.

  • Isaiah 58:2 (3 votes)

    Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God.

  • Jeremiah 23:35 (3 votes)

    Thus shall ye say every one to his neighbour, and every one to his brother, What hath the LORD answered? and, What hath the LORD spoken?

  • Jeremiah 42:20 (2 votes)

    For ye dissembled in your hearts, when ye sent me unto the LORD your God, saying, Pray for us unto the LORD our God; and according unto all that the LORD our God shall say, so declare unto us, and we will do [it].