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Ezekiel 2:3-7
New English Translation
Ezekiel 2:3-7
New English Translation
3 He said to me, “Son of man, I am sending you to the house[a] of Israel, to rebellious nations[b] who have rebelled against me; both they and their fathers have revolted[c] against me to this very day. 4 The people[d] to whom I am sending you are obstinate and hard-hearted,[e] and you must say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says.’[f] 5 And as for them,[g] whether they listen[h] or not—for they are a rebellious[i] house[j]—they will know that a prophet has been among them. 6 But you, son of man, do not fear them, and do not fear their words. Even though briers[k] and thorns[l] surround you and you live among scorpions—do not fear their words and do not be terrified of the looks they give you,[m] for they are a rebellious house! 7 You must speak my words to them whether they listen or not, for they are rebellious.
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- Ezekiel 2:3 tc The Hebrew reads “sons of,” while the LXX reads “house,” implying the more common phrase in Ezekiel. Either could be abbreviated with the first letter ב (bet). In preparation for the characterization “house of rebellion,” in vv. 5, 6, and 8 “house” is preferred (L. C. Allen, Ezekiel [WBC], 1:10 and W. Zimmerli, Ezekiel [Hermeneia], 2:564-65).
- Ezekiel 2:3 tc Heb “to the rebellious nations.” The phrase “to the rebellious nations” is omitted in the LXX. Elsewhere in Ezekiel the singular word “nation” is used for Israel (36:13-15; 37:22). Here “nations” may have the meaning of “tribes” or refer to the two nations of Israel and Judah.
- Ezekiel 2:3 tc This word is omitted from the LXX. tn The Hebrew term used here is the strongest word available for expressing a covenant violation. The word is used in the diplomatic arena to express a treaty violation (2 Kgs 1:1; 3:5, 7).
- Ezekiel 2:4 tn Heb “sons.” The word choice may reflect treaty idiom, where the relationship between an overlord and his subjects can be described as that of father and son.
- Ezekiel 2:4 tc Heb “stern of face and hard of heart.” The phrases “stern of face” and “hard of heart” are lacking in the LXX.
- Ezekiel 2:4 tn The phrase “thus says [the Lord]” occurs 129 times in Ezekiel; the announcement is identical to the way messengers often introduced their messages (Gen 32:5; 45:9; Exod 5:10; Num 20:14; Judg 11:15).
- Ezekiel 2:5 tn Heb “they”; the phrase “And as for them” has been used in the translation for clarity.
- Ezekiel 2:5 tn The Hebrew word implies obedience rather than mere hearing or paying attention.
- Ezekiel 2:5 tn This Hebrew adjective is also used to describe the Israelites in Num 17:10 (17:25 HT) and Isa 30:9.
- Ezekiel 2:5 sn The book of Ezekiel frequently refers to the Israelites as a rebellious house (Ezek 2:5, 6, 8; 3:9, 26-27; 12:2-3, 9, 25; 17:12; 24:3).
- Ezekiel 2:6 tn The Hebrew term occurs only here in the OT.
- Ezekiel 2:6 tn The Hebrew term is found elsewhere in the OT only in Ezek 28:24.sn Here thorns may be a figure for hostility (Ezek 28:24; Mic 7:4).
- Ezekiel 2:6 tn Heb “of their faces.”
Ezekiel 2:3-7
Common English Bible
Ezekiel 2:3-7
Common English Bible
3 He said to me: Human one, I’m sending you to the Israelites, a traitorous and rebellious people. They and their ancestors have been rebelling against me to this very day. 4 I’m sending you to their hardheaded and hard-hearted descendants, and you will say to them: The Lord God proclaims. 5 Whether they listen or whether they refuse, since they are a household of rebels, they will know that a prophet has been among them.
6 And as for you, human one, don’t be afraid of them or their words. Don’t be afraid! You possess thistles and thorns that subdue scorpions.[a] Don’t be afraid of their words or shrink from their presence, because they are a household of rebels. 7 You’ll speak my words to them whether they listen or whether they refuse. They are just a household[b] of rebels!
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- Ezekiel 2:6 Or thistles and thorns are with you, and you sit on scorpions.
- Ezekiel 2:7 LXX, Syr, Tg; MT lacks household.
Ezekiel 2:3-7
New International Version
Ezekiel 2:3-7
New International Version
3 He said: “Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have been in revolt against me to this very day.(A) 4 The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn.(B) Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says.’(C) 5 And whether they listen or fail to listen(D)—for they are a rebellious people(E)—they will know that a prophet has been among them.(F) 6 And you, son of man, do not be afraid(G) of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns(H) are all around you and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they say or be terrified by them, though they are a rebellious people.(I) 7 You must speak(J) my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious.(K)
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