3:17 watchman. Ezekiel will elaborate on his role as a watchman in 33:1–9. Being a watchman meant he was responsible for those he ministered to and had to warn them of any impending threat. Failure to issue the warning would make him accountable for any misfortune that resulted. People in a city would not ignore the cry of an ordinary watchman, yet they would not listen to Ezekiel (vv. 6, 7; cf. Is. 22:1–14).