Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version But when I speak to you, I will open your mouth and you shall say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says.’ Whoever will listen let them listen, and whoever will refuse let them refuse; for they are a rebellious people. New Living Translation But when I give you a message, I will loosen your tongue and let you speak. Then you will say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says!’ Those who choose to listen will listen, but those who refuse will refuse, for they are rebels. English Standard Version But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD.’ He who will hear, let him hear; and he who will refuse to hear, let him refuse, for they are a rebellious house. Berean Standard Bible 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. Berean Literal Bible And in My speaking with you, I will open your mouth, then you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord YHWH!’—The one hearing, let him hear, and the one refusing, let him refuse. For they are a house of rebellion. King James Bible 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. New King James Version But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD.’ He who hears, let him hear; and he who refuses, let him refuse; for they are a rebellious house. New American Standard Bible But when I speak to you, I will open your mouth and you will say to them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says:’ The one who hears, let him hear; and the one who refuses, let him refuse; for they are a rebellious house. NASB 1995 “But when I speak to you, I will open your mouth and you will say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD.’ He who hears, let him hear; and he who refuses, let him refuse; for they are a rebellious house. NASB 1977 “But when I speak to you, I will open your mouth, and you will say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD.’ He who hears, let him hear; and he who refuses, let him refuse; for they are a rebellious house. Legacy Standard Bible But when I speak to you, I will open your mouth, and you will say to them, ‘Thus says Lord Yahweh.’ He who hears, let him hear; and he who refuses, let him refuse; for they are a rebellious house. Amplified Bible But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth and you will say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD.’ He who hears, let him hear; and he who refuses [to hear], let him refuse; for they are a rebellious house. Berean Annotated Bible But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you are to tell them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD {Adonai YHWH} says. Whoever listens, let him listen; and whoever refuses, let him refuse, for they are a rebellious house. Christian Standard Bible But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you will say to them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says.’ Let the one who listens, listen, and let the one who refuses, refuse—for they are a rebellious house. Holman Christian Standard Bible But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you will say to them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says.’ Let the one who listens, listen, and let the one who refuses, refuse—for they are a rebellious house.” American Standard Version 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. Contemporary English Version But the time will come, when I will tell you what to say, and you will again be able to speak my message. Some of them will listen; others will be stubborn and refuse to listen. English Revised Version 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. GOD'S WORD® Translation But when I speak to you, I will open your mouth. You will tell them, 'This is what the Almighty LORD says.' Some will listen, and some will refuse to listen. They are rebellious people." Good News Translation Then, when I speak to you again and give you back the power of speech, you will tell them what I, the Sovereign LORD, am saying. Some of them will listen, but some will ignore you, for they are a nation of rebels." International Standard Version But when I speak with you, I'll open your mouth so you can say to them, 'This is what the Lord GOD says: "As for those who will listen, 'Let them listen,' but as for those who refuse, 'Let them refuse,' since they're a rebellious group."'" NET Bible But when I speak with you, I will loosen your tongue and you must say to them, 'This is what the sovereign LORD says.' Those who listen will listen, but the indifferent will refuse, for they are a rebellious house. New Heart English Bible But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you shall tell them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD': He who hears, let him hear; and he who forbears, let him forbear: for they are a rebellious house. Webster's Bible Translation But when I speak with thee, I will open thy mouth, and thou shalt say to 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. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBut 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. World English Bible But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you shall tell them, ‘This is what the Lord Yahweh says.’ He who hears, let him hear; and he who refuses, let him refuse; for they are a rebellious house.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd in My speaking with you, I open your mouth, and you have said to them: Thus said Lord YHWH; the hearer hears, and the refrainer refrains; for they [are] a house of rebellion.” Berean Literal Bible And in My speaking with you, I will open your mouth, then you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord YHWH!’—The one hearing, let him hear, and the one refusing, let him refuse. For they are a house of rebellion. Young's Literal Translation And in My speaking with thee, I do open thy mouth, and thou hast said unto them: Thus said the Lord Jehovah; the hearer doth hear, and the forbearer doth forbear; for a rebellious house are they. Smith's Literal Translation And in my speaking with thee I will open thy mouth, and say thou to them, Thus said the Lord Jehovah: He hearing, shall hear; and he desisting, shall desist: for they are a house of contradiction. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut when I shall speak to thee, I will open thy mouth, and thou shalt say to them: Thus saith the Lord God: He that heareth, let him hear: and he that forbeareth, let him forbear: for they are a provoking house. Catholic Public Domain Version But when I will speak to you, I will open your mouth, and you shall say to them: ‘Thus says the Lord God.’ Whoever is listening, let him hear. And whoever is quieted, let him be quieted. For they are a provoking house.” New American Bible Only when I speak to you and open your mouth, shall you say to them: Thus says the LORD God: Let those who hear, hear! Let those who resist, resist! They are truly a rebellious house. New Revised Standard Version But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you shall say to them, “Thus says the Lord GOD”; let those who will hear, hear; and let those who refuse to hear, refuse; for they are a rebellious house. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut when I speak with you, I will open your mouth and you shall say to them, Thus says the LORD God: He that hears, let him hear; and he that trembles, let him tremble; for they are a rebellious house. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And whenever I speak with you, I open your mouth that you shall say to them, “Thus says THE LORD OF LORDS.” He who hears shall hear, and he who trembles shall tremble, because they are a rebellious house” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917But 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. Brenton Septuagint Translation But when I speak to thee, I will open thy mouth, and thou shalt say to them, Thus saith the Lord, He that hears, let him hear; and he that is disobedient, let him be disobedient: because it is a provoking house. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context A Watchman for Israel…26I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth, and you will be silent and unable to rebuke them, though they are a rebellious house. 27But 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. Cross References But when I speak with you, Ezekiel 2:1 “Son of man,” He said to me, “stand up on your feet and I will speak to you.” Exodus 4:12 Now go! I will help you as you speak, and I will teach you what to say.” Jeremiah 1:9 Then the LORD reached out His hand, touched my mouth, and said to me: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. I will open your mouth, Ezekiel 24:27 On that day your mouth will be opened to him who has escaped; you will speak and no longer be mute. So you will be a sign to them, and they will know that I am the LORD.” Ezekiel 33:22 Now the evening before the fugitive arrived, the hand of the LORD was upon me, and He opened my mouth before the man came to me in the morning. So my mouth was opened and I was no longer mute. and you are to tell them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says.’ Ezekiel 2:4 They are obstinate and stubborn children. I am sending you to them, and you are to say to them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says.’ 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. 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. Whoever listens, let him listen; Matthew 11:15 He who has ears, let him hear. Mark 4:9 Then Jesus said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” Revelation 3:22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” and whoever refuses, let him refuse, Proverbs 1:24-25 Because you refused my call, and no one took my outstretched hand, / because you neglected all my counsel, and wanted none of my correction, Zechariah 7:11 But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder; they stopped up their ears from hearing. Isaiah 30:9 These are rebellious people, deceitful children, children unwilling to obey the LORD’s instruction. for they are a rebellious house. 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. Ezekiel 12:2 “Son of man, you are living in a rebellious house. They have eyes to see but do not see, and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious house. Treasury of Scripture But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you shall say to them, Thus said the Lord GOD; He that hears, let him hear; and he that declines, let him forbear: for they are a rebellious house. I will Ezekiel 11:25 Then I spake unto them of the captivity all the things that the LORD had shewed me. Ezekiel 24:27 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 29:21 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. Thus Ezekiel 3:11 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 2:5 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. Matthew 11:15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. for they Ezekiel 3:9,26 As an adamant harder than flint have I made thy forehead: fear them not, neither be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house… Ezekiel 12:2,3 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… Jump to Previous Ear Ears Forbear Forbeareth Hear Hearer Heareth Hears House Mouth Open Rebellious Refuse Refuses Shut Sovereign Speak Speaking Talk UncontrolledJump to Next Ear Ears Forbear Forbeareth Hear Hearer Heareth Hears House Mouth Open Rebellious Refuse Refuses Shut Sovereign Speak Speaking Talk UncontrolledEzekiel 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 But when I speak with you This phrase indicates a direct communication from God to the prophet Ezekiel. In the context of biblical prophecy, God often spoke directly to His prophets, as seen with Moses (Exodus 33:11) and Isaiah (Isaiah 6:8-9). This divine communication underscores the authority and authenticity of the message Ezekiel is to deliver. 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. Persons / Places / Events 1. EzekielA prophet called by God to deliver His messages to the Israelites during their exile in Babylon. Known for his visions and symbolic acts. 2. The Lord GOD The sovereign and covenant-keeping God of Israel, who communicates His will through His prophets. 3. The Israelites Specifically referred to as a "rebellious house," they are the people of God who are in exile due to their disobedience and idolatry. 4. Babylon The place of exile for the Israelites, representing both physical and spiritual captivity. 5. Prophetic Commission The event where God commissions Ezekiel to speak His words to the people, emphasizing the importance of obedience to God's message. Teaching Points Divine Authority in Prophetic SpeechGod is the ultimate source of truth, and His words carry authority. When God opens Ezekiel's mouth, it signifies that the message is not Ezekiel's but God's. Human Responsibility to Respond The phrase "whoever will listen, let him listen" underscores the responsibility of individuals to respond to God's message. It is a call to active listening and obedience. The Reality of Rebellion The description of Israel as a "rebellious house" serves as a warning against hard-heartedness and the consequences of ignoring God's word. The Role of the Prophet Ezekiel's role is to faithfully deliver God's message, regardless of the people's response. This teaches the importance of faithfulness in ministry. God's Sovereignty in Communication God chooses when and how to communicate His message, demonstrating His control over revelation and the unfolding of His plans. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Ezekiel 3:27?2. How does Ezekiel 3:27 emphasize the importance of speaking God's words faithfully? 3. What does "let him hear" teach about personal responsibility in receiving God's message? 4. How does Ezekiel 3:27 connect with James 1:22 about being doers of the word? 5. In what ways can we ensure we speak only when God commands us? 6. How can Ezekiel 3:27 guide us in discerning when to speak or remain silent? 7. What does Ezekiel 3:27 reveal about God's communication with humanity? 8. How does Ezekiel 3:27 challenge the concept of free will? 9. Why does God choose to silence Ezekiel in Ezekiel 3:27? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 3? 11. In Ezekiel 3:27, how do we reconcile God’s foreknowledge of rejection with the purpose of delivering a warning message in the first place? 12. In Ezekiel 3:24-26, can the sudden and temporary muteness be explained naturally or does it conflict with known medical facts? 13. In Ezekiel 3:17-18, how is the idea of divine responsibility for warning others reconciled with free will and personal accountability? 14. What does the Bible teach about controlling speech? What Does Ezekiel 3:27 Mean But when I speak with youGod Himself initiates every prophetic encounter. Ezekiel does not decide when to speak; he waits until the Lord addresses him. The same pattern appears with Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:4) and Jeremiah’s call (Jeremiah 1:4–7). This underscores that revelation is never man-made but divinely delivered (2 Peter 1:21). Because Scripture is inspired, we can trust that every word truly comes from God and carries His full authority. I will open your mouth The prophet’s ability to speak is literally under God’s control. Earlier, the Lord said He would make Ezekiel’s tongue cling to the roof of his mouth so he could not rebuke the people at will (Ezekiel 3:26). Now God promises to loosen that tongue at the appointed moment. Similar scenes appear when the Lord touched Isaiah’s lips with a coal (Isaiah 6:6–7) and when He placed His words in Jeremiah’s mouth (Jeremiah 1:9). These examples show that God equips His servants for the exact task He assigns (Exodus 4:10–12). and you are to tell them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says.’ The prophet’s message is not personal opinion; it is the unfiltered declaration of the Sovereign LORD. That refrain—“This is what the Lord GOD says”—echoes throughout Ezekiel (e.g., Ezekiel 2:4; 6:3; 12:10), emphasizing divine authorship. The unchanging standard remains: “Thus says the LORD” carries absolute weight (Isaiah 55:11). In every generation, God’s spokesmen must transmit, not edit, His Word (Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:18–19). Whoever listens, let him listen Once the message is delivered, individuals are responsible for their response. Jesus later used the same principle: “He who has ears, let him hear” (Matthew 11:15). Faith comes by hearing God’s Word (Romans 10:17), and obedient listeners find blessing, as seen in those who heeded Noah (Hebrews 11:7) or repented at Jonah’s preaching (Matthew 12:41). and whoever refuses, let him refuse God allows people the freedom to reject His Word, yet refusal never nullifies truth. Pharaoh hardened his heart despite repeated warnings (Exodus 7:13), and many in Jesus’ day turned back (John 6:66). Ezekiel is not held accountable for their disbelief; his duty is faithfulness, not results (Ezekiel 3:18–19). This safeguards the messenger from despair and keeps the focus on obedience to God. for they are a rebellious house The root problem is spiritual rebellion, the same reality that plagued Israel since Sinai (Deuteronomy 9:7) and still infects humanity (Romans 3:10–12). By labeling them “a rebellious house,” God diagnoses the condition that only repentance can cure (Ezekiel 18:30–32). The warning is severe, but it springs from a loving desire to restore (2 Chronicles 36:15). summary Ezekiel 3:27 highlights a divine chain of communication: God speaks, God empowers, and the prophet proclaims. The audience then must choose either obedient listening or obstinate refusal, revealing their heart condition. The verse reassures faithful messengers that their role is to relay God’s literal, authoritative Word and leave the results with Him. (27) When I speak with thee, I will open thy mouth.--To this Ezekiel evidently refers in Ezekiel 24:27; Ezekiel 33:22, when, after the destruction of Jerusalem, his mouth should no longer be shut. But until then, although he should be greatly restrained in his ordinary utterances by the opposition of the people, yet there would be times when God would give him a message with such power that he would be constrained to declare it, whether the people would hear or whether they would forbear. Such messages are those contained in this book, which at this point begin to be recorded. By all this the difficulties and trials under which the prophet must exercise his office are clearly and strongly set before him. (See Excursus I., "On the Figurative and Symbolical Language of Ezekiel.")Verse 27. - When I speak with thee, etc. This then, as ever, was the condition of the prophet's work. He was to speak out of his own heart. When the "time to speak" came words would be given him (Matthew 10:19). And those he would then speak would be as the echo of those in ver. 11. In our Lord's words (Matthew 11:15; Matthew 13:9) we have, it may be, a deliberate reproduction of Ezekiel's formula. The LXX., in this instance, it may be noted, translates the second clause by " He who is disobedient (ἀπειθῶν), |
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