New International Version Go now to your people in exile and speak to them. Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says,’ whether they listen or fail to listen.” New Living Translation Then go to your people in exile and say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says!’ Do this whether they listen to you or not.” English Standard Version And go to the exiles, to your people, and speak to them and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD,’ whether they hear or refuse to hear.” Berean Standard Bible Go to your people, the exiles; speak to them and tell them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says,’ whether they listen or refuse to listen.” Berean Literal Bible And go, come to the captivity, to the sons of your people, and speak to them and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord YHWH!’—Whether they hear or whether they refuse.” King James Bible 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. New King James Version And go, get to the captives, to the children of your people, and speak to them and tell them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD,’ whether they hear, or whether they refuse.” New American Standard Bible Go to the exiles, to the sons of your people, and speak to them and tell them, whether they listen or not, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says.’” NASB 1995 “Go to the exiles, to the sons of your people, and speak to them and tell them, whether they listen or not, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD.’” NASB 1977 “And go to the exiles, to the sons of your people, and speak to them and tell them, whether they listen or not, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD.’” Legacy Standard Bible And go now, come to the exiles, to the sons of your people, and you shall speak to them and say to them, whether they listen or whether they refuse, ‘Thus says Lord Yahweh.’” Amplified Bible Go to the [Jewish] exiles [in Babylon], to the children of your people, and speak to them, whether they listen or not, and tell them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD.’” Berean Annotated Bible Go to your people, the exiles; speak to them and tell them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD {Adonai YHWH} says, whether they listen or refuse to listen. Christian Standard Bible Go to your people, the exiles, and speak to them. Tell them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says,’ whether they listen or refuse to listen.” Holman Christian Standard Bible Go to your people, the exiles, and speak to them. Tell them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says,’ whether they listen or refuse to listen.” American Standard Version 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 Jehovah; whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear. Contemporary English Version Then go to the people who were brought here to Babylonia with you and tell them you have a message from me, the LORD God. Do this, whether they listen to you or not. English Revised Version 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. GOD'S WORD® Translation Go to the exiles, to your people. Whether they listen or not, tell them, 'This is what the Almighty LORD says.'" Good News Translation Then go to the people of your nation who are in exile and tell them what I, the Sovereign LORD, am saying to them, whether they pay attention to you or not." International Standard Version then go immediately to the exiles; that is, to your people's descendants, and tell them, 'This is what the Lord GOD says…' whether they listen or not." NET Bible Go to the exiles, to your fellow countrymen, and speak to them--say to them, 'This is what the sovereign LORD says,' whether they pay attention or not." New Heart English Bible And go to the exiles, to the children of your people, and speak to them, and tell them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD'; whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear. Webster's Bible Translation And depart, go to them of the captivity, to the children of thy people, and speak to them, and tell them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleGo to your people, the exiles; speak to them and tell them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says,’ whether they listen or refuse to listen.” World English Bible Go to them of the captivity, to the children of your people, and speak to them, and tell them, ‘This is what the Lord Yahweh says,’ whether they will hear, or whether they will refuse.” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand go forth, go to the expulsion, to the sons of your people, and you have spoken to them, and have said to them: Thus said Lord YHWH; whether they hear, or whether they refrain.” Berean Literal Bible And go, come to the captivity, to the sons of your people, and speak to them and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord YHWH!’—Whether they hear or whether they refuse.” Young's Literal Translation and go, enter in unto the Removed, unto the sons of thy people, and thou hast spoken unto them, and hast said unto them: Thus said the Lord Jehovah: whether they hear, or whether they forbear.' Smith's Literal Translation And go, come to the captivity, to the sons of my people, and speak to them, and say to them, Thus said the Lord Jehovah; if they will hear, and if they will desist. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd go get thee in to them of the captivity, to the children of thy people, and thou shalt speak to them, and shalt say to them: Thus saith the Lord: If so be they will hear and will forbear. Catholic Public Domain Version And go forth and enter to those of the transmigration, to the sons of your people. And you shall speak to them. And you shall say to them: ‘Thus says the Lord God.’ Perhaps it may be that they will listen and be quieted.” New American Bible Now go to the exiles, to your own people, and speak to them. Say to them, whether they hear or refuse to hear: Thus says the LORD God! New Revised Standard Version then go to the exiles, to your people, and speak to them. Say to them, “Thus says the Lord GOD”; whether they hear or refuse to hear. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd go and get you to them of the captivity, to the children of your people, and speak to them and tell them, Thus says the LORD God; perhaps they will listen, and tremble. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And go enter the captivity to the children of your people and speak with them and say to them: ‘Thus says THE LORD OF LORDS.’ Perhaps they shall hear and they shall be moved OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And 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.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And go thy way, go in to the captivity, to the children of thy people, and thou shalt speak to them, and say to them, Thus saith the Lord; whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context Ezekiel Eats the Scroll…10“Son of man,” He added, “listen carefully to all the words I speak to you, and take them to heart. 11 Go to your people, the exiles; speak to them and tell them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says,’ whether they listen or refuse to listen.” 12Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard a great rumbling sound behind me: ‘Blessed be the glory of the LORD in His dwelling place!’… Cross References Go to your people, the exiles; Jeremiah 29:4 This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says to all the exiles who were carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon: Jeremiah 24:5 “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Like these good figs, so I regard as good the exiles from Judah, whom I have sent away from this place to the land of the Chaldeans. 2 Kings 24:15 Nebuchadnezzar carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon, as well as the king’s mother, his wives, his officials, and the leading men of the land. He took them into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. speak to them and tell them, Jeremiah 26:2 “This is what the LORD says: Stand in the courtyard of the house of the LORD and speak all the words I have commanded you to speak to all the cities of Judah who come to worship there. Do not omit a word. Jeremiah 1:7 But the LORD told me: “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ For to everyone I send you, you must go, and all that I command you, you must speak. Deuteronomy 18:18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. I will put My words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. ‘This is what the Lord GOD says,’ Ezekiel 5:5 This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘This is Jerusalem, which I have set in the center of the nations, with countries all around her. Amos 5:3 This is what the Lord GOD says: “The city that marches out a thousand strong will have but a hundred left, and the one that marches out a hundred strong will have but ten left in the house of Israel.” Isaiah 7:7 But this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘It will not arise; it will not happen. whether they listen or refuse to listen.” Ezekiel 2:7 But speak My words to them, whether they listen or refuse to listen, for they are rebellious. Ezekiel 2:5 And whether they listen or refuse to listen—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them. Jeremiah 7:27 When you tell them all these things, they will not listen to you. When you call to them, they will not answer. Acts 20:20-21 I did not shrink back from declaring anything that was helpful to you as I taught you publicly and from house to house, / testifying to Jews and Greeks alike about repentance to God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 18:6 But when they opposed and insulted him, he shook out his garments and told them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” Matthew 10:6-7 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. / As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ Matthew 15:24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Treasury of Scripture And go, get you to them of the captivity, to the children of your people, and speak to them, and tell them, Thus said the Lord GOD; whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear. get Ezekiel 3:15 Then I came to them of the captivity at Telabib, that dwelt by the river of Chebar, and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days. Ezekiel 11:24,25 Afterwards the spirit took me up, and brought me in a vision by the Spirit of God into Chaldea, to them of the captivity. So the vision that I had seen went up from me… Daniel 6:13 Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day. the children Ezekiel 33:2,12,17,30 Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman: … Ezekiel 37:18 And when the children of thy people shall speak unto thee, saying, Wilt thou not shew us what thou meanest by these? Exodus 32:7 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: speak Ezekiel 3:27 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. Ezekiel 2:5,7 And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them… Acts 20:26,27 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men… Jump to Previous Captivity Children Countrymen Depart Enter Exile Exiles Fail Forbear Hear Prisoners Refuse Removed Sovereign Speak WhetherJump to Next Captivity Children Countrymen Depart Enter Exile Exiles Fail Forbear Hear Prisoners Refuse Removed Sovereign Speak WhetherEzekiel 3 1. Ezekiel eats the scroll4. God encourages him 15. God shows him the rule of prophecy 22. God shuts and opens the prophet's mouth Go to your people, the exiles; Ezekiel was to return to the Judean community deported to Babylon in 597 BC, when Nebuchadnezzar removed King Jehoiachin, leading officials, craftsmen, and warriors from Jerusalem. Though far from Judah, they remained God’s covenant people, and Ezekiel was sent to serve among them. Jer 29:4 This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says… speak to them and tell them, He was not to remain silent or limit his message to visions and signs. God required him to address the exiles plainly and personally with the warning, correction, and hope entrusted to him. Jer 26:2 This is what the LORD says: Stand in the courtyard… ‘This is what the Lord GOD says,’ Ezekiel spoke under the authority of the sovereign Lord, not from personal opinion or political judgment. The message came from the God who had brought judgment on Jerusalem and still ruled over His people in Babylon. Ezk 5:5 This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘This is Jerusalem… whether they listen or refuse to listen.” Ezekiel’s responsibility was faithful proclamation, not control over the people’s response. Some would resist the warning, but their refusal would not excuse them from accountability before God. Ezk 2:7 But speak My words to them, whether they listen… Persons / Places / Events 1. EzekielA prophet and priest called by God to deliver His messages to the Israelites during their Babylonian exile. His role was to be a watchman for the house of Israel. 2. The Exiles The Israelites who were taken captive and living in Babylon. They were the primary audience of Ezekiel's prophetic messages. 3. The Lord GOD The sovereign and covenant-keeping God of Israel, who speaks through His prophets to guide, warn, and instruct His people. 4. Babylon The place of exile for the Israelites, representing both physical captivity and spiritual testing. 5. Prophetic Commission The event where God commissions Ezekiel to speak His words to the people, emphasizing the importance of obedience to God's call regardless of the people's response. Teaching Points Obedience to God's CallEzekiel's commission underscores the importance of obedience to God's call, regardless of the anticipated response. Believers are encouraged to faithfully deliver God's message in their own contexts. Faithfulness Over Results The focus is on being faithful to God's command rather than being concerned with the outcome. Success in God's eyes is measured by obedience, not by human standards of success. The Role of a Watchman Like Ezekiel, Christians are called to be watchmen, sharing God's truth with others. This involves both warning and encouraging, always pointing back to God's word. God's Sovereignty and Human Responsibility While God is sovereign and His plans will prevail, humans have the responsibility to respond to His message. This duality should encourage believers to share the gospel with urgency and compassion. Perseverance in Ministry Ezekiel's example teaches perseverance in ministry, even when faced with indifference or hostility. Believers are called to trust in God's purposes and timing. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Ezekiel 3:11?2. How does Ezekiel 3:11 emphasize the importance of delivering God's message faithfully? 3. What challenges might arise when speaking God's words to a "rebellious people"? 4. How can Ezekiel 3:11 inspire us to share God's truth today? 5. In what ways does Ezekiel 3:11 connect with the Great Commission in Matthew 28? 6. How can we prepare ourselves to speak God's words to those who resist? 7. What does Ezekiel 3:11 reveal about God's expectations for delivering His message to others? 8. How does Ezekiel 3:11 challenge our responsibility to share God's word with those who resist? 9. Why does God instruct Ezekiel to speak to a rebellious people in Ezekiel 3:11? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 3? (11) Get thee to them of the captivity.--Ezekiel's mission is now made more definite. In Ezekiel 3:10 he has been told in plain terms what had already been symbolically conveyed under the figure of the roll, and now he is further informed that his immediate mission to the house of Israel is limited to that part of it which, like himself, was already in captivity. At this time, and for several years to come, this was a comparatively small part of the whole nation; but before Ezekiel's ministrations were finished it embraced the mass of them. (See Introd., III.) It is noticeable that God directs him to go, not to My, but to thy people; just as in Ezekiel 2:3 He speaks of them as heathen, so here He refuses to recognise them in their present state as really His people. (Comp. Exodus 32:7; Ezekiel 33:2; Ezekiel 33:12; Ezekiel 33:17; Daniel 9:24; Daniel 10:14.) At the same time, there is thus indirectly suggested to the prophet a reminder that he is himself one of the same people, and needs therefore to be on his guard against the sin and obduracy which characterise them. . . . Verse 11. - Get thee to them of the Captivity, etc. In Ezekiel 2:3 and Ezekiel 3:1, 4 the mission had been to "the house of Israel" generally; now it is specialized. He is sent "to them of the Captivity." They are the rebellious house. There is an obvious significance in the phrase, "thy people." Jehovah can no longer recognize them as his. The words of Ezekiel 2:7 are repeated. Here also, even among the exiles, who were better than those that remained in Judah, he was to expect partial failure, but he was not, on that account, to shirk the completion of his task. Thus saith the Lord God; Adonai Jehovah, as in Ezekiel 2:4. Ezekiel 3:11 charges the prophet to rise, cross the distance to his own displaced people, speak God’s exact words, and do so without flinching at their response. The verse models every believer’s calling: move toward the lost, deliver Scripture with precision, and leave the results with the Sovereign LORD. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Goבֹּ֤א (bō) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to your people, בְּנֵ֣י (bə·nê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1121: A son the exiles; הַגּוֹלָה֙ (hag·gō·w·lāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 1473: Exile, exiles speak וְדִבַּרְתָּ֤ (wə·ḏib·bar·tā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue to them אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to and tell וְאָמַרְתָּ֣ (wə·’ā·mar·tā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say them, אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם (’ă·lê·hem) Preposition | third person masculine plural Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to ‘This is what כֹּ֥ה (kōh) Adverb Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now the Lord אֲדֹנָ֣י (’ă·ḏō·nāy) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 136: The Lord GOD יְהֹוִ֑ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3069: YHWH says,’ אָמַ֖ר (’ā·mar) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say whether אִֽם־ (’im-) Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not they listen יִשְׁמְע֖וּ (yiš·mə·‘ū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently or וְאִם־ (wə·’im-) Conjunctive waw | Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not refuse to listen.” יֶחְדָּֽלוּ׃ (yeḥ·dā·lū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 2308: To be flabby, desist, be lacking, idle Additonal Resources Ezekiel 3:11 Blue Letter BibleEzekiel 3:11 Bible Gateway Ezekiel 3:11 Bible.com Ezekiel 3:11 NIV |
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