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Ezekiel 3:16

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Ezekiel 3:16 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And it came to pass at the end of seven days, that the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And it came to pass at the end of seven days, that the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying,
Ezekiel 3:16 — American Standard Version

Context — Ezekiel 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13And [I heard] the noise of the wings of the living creatures as they touched one another, and the noise of the wheels beside them, even the noise of a great rushing.
14So the Spirit lifted me up, and took me away; and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; and the hand of Jehovah was strong upon me.
15Then I came to them of the captivity at Tel-abib, that dwelt by the river Chebar, and to where they dwelt; and I sat there overwhelmed among them seven days.
16And it came to pass at the end of seven days, that the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying,
17Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.
18When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thy hand.
19Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
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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 it came to pass at the end of seven days, &c.] Some think it was on the sabbath day he had the following declaration made to him, and instructions given him; but this is not certain; nor does it follow, or to be concluded, from such a way of speaking: that the word of the Lord came unto me, saying; the Targum is, “the word of prophecy from before the Lord.””
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The Lord guards both Ezekiel and his countrymen from dwelling exclusively on the national character of his mission. In the midst of the general visitations, each individual was to stand as it were alone before Him to render account of his doings, and to be judged according to his works. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“3:16-19 Ezekiel was called to be a watchman, a familiar image for Old Testament prophets (see Isa 56:10; Jer 6:17; Hos 9:8). The watchman was a lookout for the community. He was responsible for providing advance warning of approaching enemies so that the people could take refuge in time. In this case, the enemy they had to fear was not a human invader but God. As difficult as his task was, the blood of those he failed to warn would be on his head if he remained silent.”
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Related study paths

Read Ezekiel 3 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification