Ezekiel 20:2
Ezekiel 20:2 in Multiple Translations
Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Then came the word of the LORD unto me, saying,
And the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying,
Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
Then a message from the Lord came to me, saying,
Then came the worde of the Lord vnto me, saying,
and there is a word of Jehovah unto me, saying,
The LORD’s word came to me, saying,
Then came the word of the LORD to me, saying,
And the word of the Lord came to me, saying:
Then Yahweh gave me a message. He said,
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 20:2
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Ezekiel 20:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יְהִ֥י
דְבַר
יְהוָ֖ה
אֵלַ֥/י
לֵ/אמֹֽר
וַ/יְהִ֥י
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
דְבַר
dâbâr
H1697
Chronicles
N-ms
יְהוָ֖ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
אֵלַ֥/י
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep | Suff
לֵ/אמֹֽר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 20:2
וַ/יְהִ֥י
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
דְבַר
dâbâr
H1697
"Chronicles"
N-ms
A word or thing, like a matter or affair, as seen in the book of Chronicles where it refers to the events and words of kings. It can also mean a cause or reason for something.
Definition: This name means word, speaking
Usage: Occurs in 1290 OT verses. KJV: act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work. See also: Genesis 11:1; Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 18:21.
יְהוָ֖ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
אֵלַ֥/י
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
לֵ/אמֹֽר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
Study Notes — Ezekiel 20:2
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Israel’s Rebellion in Egypt
1In the seventh year, on the tenth day of the fifth month, some of the elders of Israel came to inquire of the LORD, and they sat down before me.
2Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
3“Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: Have you come to inquire of Me? As surely as I live, I will not be consulted by you, declares the Lord GOD. 4Will you judge them, will you judge them, son of man? Confront them with the abominations of their fathersEzekiel 20:2 Summary
[This verse shows that Ezekiel is getting a message straight from God, which is a big deal because it means God is speaking directly to him. This is similar to how God spoke to other prophets in the Bible, like Moses in Exodus 3:4. Ezekiel's job is to pass on this message to the people, which can be a tough but important task, as seen in Ezekiel 3:17. By listening to God's voice, we can learn to be faithful messengers of His message, just like Ezekiel.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the phrase 'the word of the LORD came to me' in Ezekiel 20:2?
This phrase indicates that Ezekiel is receiving a direct revelation from God, similar to other prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah, as seen in Isaiah 1:1 and Jeremiah 1:4.
How did Ezekiel know it was the Lord speaking to him?
The Bible doesn't provide specific details on how Ezekiel knew, but it's likely that he recognized God's voice through his previous experiences and the Holy Spirit's guidance, as mentioned in Ezekiel 2:2 and 3:24.
What is the role of the prophet Ezekiel in this verse?
Ezekiel is acting as a messenger of God, receiving and conveying God's message to the elders of Israel, as seen in Ezekiel 3:17 and Ezekiel 33:7.
Is this verse related to other instances of God speaking to prophets in the Bible?
Yes, this verse is similar to other instances where God speaks to prophets, such as Moses in Exodus 3:4 and Samuel in 1 Samuel 3:4, demonstrating God's consistent pattern of communication with His people.
Reflection Questions
- What does it mean to receive a 'word from the Lord', and how can I discern God's voice in my own life?
- How can I, like Ezekiel, be a faithful messenger of God's message to those around me?
- What are some ways I can prepare myself to hear and respond to God's voice, as Ezekiel did?
- How does this verse relate to my own experiences of seeking guidance from God, and what can I learn from Ezekiel's example?
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 20:2
Then came the word of the Lord unto me,.... While the elders were sitting before him, by an impulse upon his mind, dictating things unto him: saying: as follows:
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 20:2
Then came the word of the LORD unto me, saying, No JFB commentary on this verse.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 20:2
While these men were with Ezekiel God gives him instruction what to say to them.
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 20:2
Ezekiel 20:2 Then came the word of the LORD unto me, saying,Ver. 2. Then came.] See on Ezekiel 18:1.
Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 20:2
1–4. Introductory. Certain elders came to the prophet to enquire of the Lord, in the seventh year of the captivity of Jehoiachin and tenth day of the fifth month—Aug. 590 b.c., four years before Jerusalem fell.