New International Version “Son of man, set forth an allegory and tell it to the Israelites as a parable. New Living Translation “Son of man, give this riddle, and tell this story to the people of Israel. English Standard Version “Son of man, propound a riddle, and speak a parable to the house of Israel; Berean Standard Bible “Son of man, pose a riddle; speak a parable to the house of Israel Berean Literal Bible “Son of man, pose a riddle and present a parable to the house of Israel, King James Bible Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable unto the house of Israel; New King James Version “Son of man, pose a riddle, and speak a parable to the house of Israel, New American Standard Bible “Son of man, ask a riddle and present a parable to the house of Israel, NASB 1995 “Son of man, propound a riddle and speak a parable to the house of Israel, NASB 1977 “Son of man, propound a riddle, and speak a parable to the house of Israel, Legacy Standard Bible “Son of man, propound a riddle and speak a parable to the house of Israel, Amplified Bible “Son of man, ask a riddle and tell a parable to the house of Israel, Berean Annotated Bible “Son of man, pose a riddle; speak a parable to the house of Israel (he wrestles with God) Christian Standard Bible “Son of man, pose a riddle and speak a parable to the house of Israel. Holman Christian Standard Bible Son of man, pose a riddle and speak a parable to the house of Israel. American Standard Version Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable unto the house of Israel; Contemporary English Version Ezekiel, son of man, tell the people of Israel the following story, English Revised Version Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable unto the house of Israel; GOD'S WORD® Translation "Son of man, tell this riddle. Give this illustration to the nation of Israel. Good News Translation "Mortal man," he said, "tell the Israelites a parable International Standard Version "Son of Man, compose a riddle and relate a parable to Israel's house. NET Bible "Son of man, offer a riddle, and tell a parable to the house of Israel. New Heart English Bible "Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable to the house of Israel; Webster's Bible Translation Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable to the house of Israel; Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bible“Son of man, pose a riddle; speak a parable to the house of Israel World English Bible “Son of man, tell a riddle, and speak a parable to the house of Israel; Literal Translations Literal Standard Version“Son of man, put forth a riddle, and use an allegory to the house of Israel, Berean Literal Bible “Son of man, pose a riddle and present a parable to the house of Israel, Young's Literal Translation 'Son of man, put forth a riddle, and use a simile unto the house of Israel, Smith's Literal Translation Son of man, propose an enigma and use a parable to the house of Israel; Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleSon of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable to the house of Israel, Catholic Public Domain Version “Son of man, propose an enigma and describe a parable to the house of Israel, New American Bible Son of man, propose a riddle, and tell this proverb to the house of Israel: New Revised Standard Version O mortal, propound a riddle, and speak an allegory to the house of Israel. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleSon of man, put forth a riddle and speak a parable to the house of Israel, Peshitta Holy Bible Translated “Son of man, riddle a riddle and parable a parable upon those of the house of Israel OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable unto the house of Israel, Brenton Septuagint Translation Son of man, relate a tale, and speak a parable to the house of Israel: Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context The Parable of Two Eagles and a Vine1Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 2“Son of man, pose a riddle; speak a parable to the house of Israel 3and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘A great eagle with great wings and long pinions, full of feathers of many colors, came to Lebanon and took away the top of the cedar.… Cross References Son of man, Ezekiel 2:1 “Son of man,” He said to me, “stand up on your feet and I will speak to you.” Ezekiel 3:17 “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from My mouth, give them a warning from Me. Daniel 8:17 As he came near to where I stood, I was terrified and fell facedown. “Son of man,” he said to me, “understand that the vision concerns the time of the end.” pose a riddle; Judges 14:12 “Let me tell you a riddle,” Samson said to them. “If you can solve it for me within the seven days of the feast, I will give you thirty linen garments and thirty sets of clothes. Psalm 49:4 I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will express my riddle with the harp: Proverbs 1:6 by understanding the proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. speak a parable Ezekiel 24:3 Now speak a parable to this rebellious house and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Put the pot on the fire; put it on and pour in the water. Psalm 78:2 I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the beginning, Matthew 13:34 Jesus spoke all these things to the crowds in parables. He did not tell them anything without using a parable. to the house of Israel Ezekiel 3:4 Then He said to me, “Son of man, go now to the house of Israel and speak My words to them. Ezekiel 3:1 “Son of man,” He said to me, “eat what you find here. Eat this scroll, then go and speak to the house of Israel.” Matthew 10:6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. Mark 4:33-34 With many such parables Jesus spoke the word to them, to the extent that they could understand. / He did not tell them anything without using a parable. But privately He explained everything to His own disciples. Hosea 12:10 I spoke through the prophets and multiplied their visions; I gave parables through the prophets. Isaiah 5:1-7 I will sing for my beloved a song of his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. / He dug it up and cleared the stones and planted the finest vines. He built a watchtower in the middle and dug out a winepress as well. He waited for the vineyard to yield good grapes, but the fruit it produced was sour! / “And now, O dwellers of Jerusalem and men of Judah, I exhort you to judge between Me and My vineyard. … Matthew 21:33-45 Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it, and built a tower. Then he rented it out to some tenants and went away on a journey. / When the harvest time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit. / But the tenants seized his servants. They beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. … Treasury of Scripture Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable to the house of Israel; Ezekiel 20:49 Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! they say of me, Doth he not speak parables? Judges 9:8-15 The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us… Judges 14:12-19 And Samson said unto them, I will now put forth a riddle unto you: if ye can certainly declare it me within the seven days of the feast, and find it out, then I will give you thirty sheets and thirty change of garments: … Jump to Previous Allegory Children Comparison Dark Forth House Israel Parable Propound Riddle Simile Speak UseJump to Next Allegory Children Comparison Dark Forth House Israel Parable Propound Riddle Simile Speak UseEzekiel 17 1. Under the parable of two eagles and a vine11. is shown God's judgment upon Jerusalem for revolting from Babylon to Egypt 22. God promises to plant the cedar of the Gospel “Son of man, God addresses Ezekiel as a mortal servant commissioned to speak for the divine King among the Judean exiles in Babylon. Ezk 2:1 “Son of man,” He said to me, “stand up on your feet”… pose a riddle; The riddle would conceal Judah’s political rebellion within vivid imagery, calling the people to discern the cause of Jerusalem’s coming judgment. Jdg 14:12 “Let me tell you a riddle,” Samson said to them.… speak a parable The parable portrays Babylon, Judah’s king, and Egypt’s influence, exposing Zedekiah’s revolt as faithlessness against an oath made before God. Ezk 24:3 Now speak a parable to this rebellious house and tell them… to the house of Israel The exiles needed to understand that Jerusalem’s fall resulted from covenant unfaithfulness, though God’s purposes for Israel and David’s line would endure. Ezk 3:4 Then He said to me, “Son of man, go now… Persons / Places / Events 1. EzekielA prophet called by God to deliver His messages to the people of Israel during their exile in Babylon. Known for his vivid visions and symbolic actions. 2. House of Israel Refers to the people of Israel, particularly those in exile. They are the audience of Ezekiel's prophetic messages and parables. 3. Babylon The empire where the Israelites were exiled. It serves as the backdrop for many of Ezekiel's prophecies. 4. Riddle and Parable Literary devices used by Ezekiel to convey deeper spiritual truths. A riddle is a statement or question requiring thought to understand, while a parable is a simple account used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. Teaching Points The Power of ParablesParables are a powerful teaching tool that engage the listener's mind and heart, prompting deeper reflection and understanding of spiritual truths. Understanding God's Messages Just as the Israelites needed to discern the meaning of Ezekiel's parables, we are called to seek understanding of God's Word through prayer and study. The Role of Prophets Prophets like Ezekiel were chosen to communicate God's messages, often using creative means to capture attention and convey important truths. Spiritual Discernment Developing spiritual discernment is crucial for interpreting the riddles and parables in Scripture, allowing us to apply God's wisdom to our lives. God's Communication with His People God uses various methods to communicate with His people, emphasizing the importance of being attentive and receptive to His voice. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Ezekiel 17:2?2. How does Ezekiel 17:2's parable illustrate God's message to Israel? 3. What is the significance of using parables in Ezekiel 17:2? 4. How can we discern God's truth in parables like Ezekiel 17:2? 5. How does Ezekiel 17:2 connect to Jesus' use of parables? 6. How can we apply the lessons from Ezekiel 17:2 in our lives? 7. What is the significance of the parable in Ezekiel 17:2 for understanding God's sovereignty? 8. How does Ezekiel 17:2 reflect the historical context of Israel's exile? 9. What theological themes are introduced in Ezekiel 17:2? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 17? (2) A riddle . . . a parable.--What the prophet has to say is called a riddle as well as a parable, because there is something in it recondite and obscure--something which, until it is explained, should excite the minds of the people to guess its meaning.Verse 2. - Put forth a riddle, etc. Again there is an interval of silence, till another theme is suggested to the prophet's mind and worked out elaborately. This he describes as a "riddle" (same word as the "dark speeches" of Numbers 12:8, the "hard questions" of 1 Kings 10:1). It will task the ingenuity of his hearers or readers to interpret it, and so he subjoins (vers. 12-24) the interpretation. That interpretation enables us to fix the occasion and the date of the prophecy. It was the time when Zedekiah was seeking to strengthen himself against Nebuchadnezzar by an Egyptian alliance. Ezekiel 17:2 introduces a divine strategy: God calls His prophet, a mere “son of man,” to deliver a riddle and parable to His covenant people. These literary forms both conceal and reveal, demanding humble inquiry while exposing rebellion. The passage sets the stage for a vivid prophecy that interprets current events through God’s unchanging covenant faithfulness, urging Israel—and every reader—to heed His authoritative, trustworthy word. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew “Sonבֶּן־ (ben-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1121: A son of man, אָדָ֕ם (’ā·ḏām) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being pose ח֥וּד (ḥūḏ) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 2330: To tie a, knot, to propound a, riddle a riddle; חִידָ֖ה (ḥî·ḏāh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 2420: A riddle, an enigmatic, perplexing saying or question speak a parable וּמְשֹׁ֣ל (ū·mə·šōl) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 4911: To liken, to use, language, in, to resemble to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to the house בֵּ֖ית (bêṯ) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1004: A house of Israel יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc Additonal Resources Ezekiel 17:2 Blue Letter BibleEzekiel 17:2 Bible Gateway Ezekiel 17:2 Bible.com Ezekiel 17:2 NIV |
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