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Ezekiel 2:5

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Ezekiel 2:5 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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.
Ezekiel 2:5 — American Standard Version

Context — Ezekiel 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
2And the Spirit entered into me when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet; and I heard him that spake unto me.
3And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to nations that are rebellious, which have rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me even unto this very day.
4And the children are impudent and stiffhearted: I do sent thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah.
5And 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.
6And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they are a rebellious house.
7And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear; for they are most rebellious.
8But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that which I give thee.
← Ezekiel 2:4Ezekiel 2:6 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, &c.] Or “cease”f47; that is, from hearing, as Jarchi and Kimchi interpret it; or from sinning, as the Targum. The sense is, whether they would hear the word of the Lord, as spoken by the prophet, attend unto it, receive it, and obey it; or whether they would reject it, turn their backs on it, and discontinue hearing it; or whether they would so hear as to leave their sinful course of life, or not: this the prophet could not know beforehand, nor should he be concerned about it, or be discouraged if his ministry should be fruitless; since he could not expect much from them: (for they [are] a rebellious house); or, “a house of…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“forbear--namely, to hear. yet shall know--Even if they will not hear, at least they will not have ignorance to plead as the cause of their perversity (Eze 33:33).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“A rebellious house - A phrase employed continually by Ezekiel in bitter irony, in the place of house of Israel, as much as to say, “House no longer of Israel, but of rebellion.” Compare Isaiah 30:9. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Shall know - They that obey shall know by the good I will do them, those that will not, by the evil which I will bring upon them. Ezekiel 2:6”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“whether: Eze 2:7, Eze 3:10, Eze 3:11, Eze 3:27; Mat 10:12-15; Act 13:46; Rom 3:3; Co2 2:15-17 yet: Eze 3:19, Eze 33:9, Eze 33:33; Luk 10:10-12; Joh 15:22 Ezekiel 2:6”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification