New International Version “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. New Living Translation “Son of man, I have appointed you as a watchman for Israel. Whenever you receive a message from me, warn people immediately. English Standard Version “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. Berean Standard Bible “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. Berean Literal Bible “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; and hear a word from My mouth, and give them a warning from Me. King James Bible Son 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. New King James Version “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me: New American Standard Bible “Son of man, I have appointed you as a watchman for the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from My mouth, warn them from Me. NASB 1995 “Son of man, I have appointed you a watchman to the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from My mouth, warn them from Me. NASB 1977 “Son of man, I have appointed you a watchman to the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from My mouth, warn them from Me. Legacy Standard Bible “Son of man, I have given you as a watchman to the house of Israel; so you will hear a word from My mouth, and you shall warn them from Me. Amplified Bible “Son of man, I have appointed you as a watchman to the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from My mouth, warn them from Me. Berean Annotated Bible “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel (he wrestles with God). Whenever you hear a word from My mouth, give them a warning from Me. Christian Standard Bible “Son of man, I have made you a watchman over the house of Israel. When you hear a word from my mouth, give them a warning from me. Holman Christian Standard Bible Son of man, I have made you a watchman over the house of Israel. When you hear a word from My mouth, give them a warning from Me. American Standard Version Son 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. Contemporary English Version Ezekiel, son of man, I have appointed you to stand watch for the people of Israel. So listen to what I say, then warn them for me. English Revised Version Son 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. GOD'S WORD® Translation "Son of man, I have made you a watchman over the people of Israel. Listen to what I say, and warn them for me. Good News Translation "Mortal man," he said, "I am making you a lookout for the nation of Israel. You will pass on to them the warnings I give you. International Standard Version "Son of Man," he said, "I've appointed you to be a watchman over the house of Israel. Therefore when you hear a message that comes from me, you are to warn them for me. NET Bible "Son of man, I have appointed you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you must give them a warning from me. New Heart English Bible "Son of man, I have made you a watchman to the house of Israel: therefore hear the word from my mouth, and give them warning from me. Webster's Bible Translation Son of man, I have made thee a watchman to the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bible“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. World English Bible “Son of man, I have made you a watchman to the house of Israel. Therefore hear the word from my mouth, and warn them from me. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionthat there is a word of YHWH to me, saying, “Son of man, I have given you [as] a watchman to the house of Israel, and you have heard a word from My mouth, and have warned them from Me. Berean Literal Bible “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; and hear a word from My mouth, and give them a warning from Me. Young's Literal Translation that there is a word of Jehovah unto me, saying, 'Son of man, a watchman I have given thee to the house of Israel, and thou hast heard from My mouth a word, and hast warned them from Me. Smith's Literal Translation Son of man, I gave thee a watchman to the house of Israel: and hear thou the word from my mouth, and admonish them from me. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleSon of man, I have made thee a watchman to the house of Israel: and thou shalt hear the word out of my mouth, and shalt tell it them from me. Catholic Public Domain Version “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. And so, you shall listen to the word from my mouth, and you shall announce it to them from me. New American Bible Son of man, I have appointed you a sentinel for the house of Israel. When you hear a word from my mouth, you shall warn them for me. New Revised Standard Version Mortal, I have made you a sentinel for the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleSon of man, I have made you a watchman to the house of Israel; therefore hear the words of my mouth and give them warning from me. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated “Son of man, I have given you as a watchman to those of the house of Israel, that you will hear from my mouth the word and you will warn them from me OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Son of man, I have appointed thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; and when thou shalt hear a word at My mouth, thou shalt give them warning from Me. Brenton Septuagint Translation I have made thee a watchman to the house of Israel; and thou shalt hear a word of my mouth, and shalt threaten them from me. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context A Watchman for Israel16At the end of seven days the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 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. 18If I say to the wicked man, ‘You will surely die,’ but you do not warn him or speak out to warn him from his wicked way to save his life, that wicked man will die in his iniquity, and I will hold you responsible for his blood.… 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.” Daniel 7:13 In my vision in the night I continued to watch, and I saw One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. Psalm 8:4 what is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him? I have made you a watchman Ezekiel 33:7 As for you, O son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word from My mouth and give them the warning from Me. Isaiah 21:6 For this is what the Lord says to me: “Go, post a lookout and have him report what he sees. Isaiah 62:6 On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD shall take no rest for yourselves, for the house of Israel. Ezekiel 37:11 Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Look, they are saying, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope has perished; we are cut off.’ Jeremiah 31:31 Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. Matthew 10:6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from My mouth, 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 1:9 Then the LORD reached out His hand, touched my mouth, and said to me: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets. give them a warning from Me. Ezekiel 33:8-9 If I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you will surely die,’ but you do not speak out to dissuade him from his way, then that wicked man will die in his iniquity, yet I will hold you accountable for his blood. / But if you warn the wicked man to turn from his way, and he does not turn from it, he will die in his iniquity, but you will have saved your life. Colossians 1:28 We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. Acts 20:31 Therefore be alert and remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. Jeremiah 6:17 I appointed watchmen over you and said, ‘Listen for the sound of the ram’s horn.’ But they answered, ‘We will not listen!’ Treasury of Scripture Son of man, I have made you a watchman to the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. I have Ezekiel 33:2-9 Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman: … 1 Corinthians 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. a watchman Song of Solomon 3:3 The watchmen that go about the city found me: to whom I said, Saw ye him whom my soul loveth? Song of Solomon 5:7 The watchmen that went about the city found me, they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the walls took away my veil from me. Isaiah 21:6,8,11,12 For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth… hear Ezekiel 33:6-8 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand… 2 Chronicles 19:10 And what cause soever shall come to you of your brethren that dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgments, ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against the LORD, and so wrath come upon you, and upon your brethren: this do, and ye shall not trespass. Isaiah 58:1 Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. Jump to Previous Appointed Children Danger Ear Hear Heard House Israel Mouth Speak Warn Warned Warning Watchman Whenever WordJump to Next Appointed Children Danger Ear Hear Heard House Israel Mouth Speak Warn Warned Warning Watchman Whenever WordEzekiel 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 “Son of man, God addresses Ezekiel by a title that emphasizes his humanity and sets him apart from the divine speaker. Though called to bear God’s message, Ezekiel remains a man sent to fellow men. Ezk 2:1 “Son of man,” He said to me, “stand up on your feet”… I have made you a watchman Like a guard stationed to detect danger and sound the alarm, Ezekiel is appointed to warn Israel of coming judgment. His responsibility is to deliver God’s message faithfully. Ezk 33:7 As for you, O son of man, I have made you a watchman… for the house of Israel. Ezekiel’s commission concerns God’s covenant people, whose rebellion had brought them under judgment. Even in exile, Israel remains accountable to the Lord. Ezk 37:11 Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones”… Whenever you hear a word from My mouth, Ezekiel is not to speak from personal opinion or human wisdom. His warnings must proceed from the revelation God gives him. Deu 18:18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you… give them a warning from Me. The warnings are intended to confront sin before judgment falls. Israel must understand that the message comes from God and demands a response. Ezk 33:8-9 If I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you will surely die,’… Persons / Places / Events 1. EzekielA prophet and priest during the Babylonian exile, called by God to deliver His messages to the Israelites. 2. House of Israel Refers to the people of Israel, God's chosen nation, who were in exile due to their disobedience. 3. Watchman A metaphorical role assigned to Ezekiel, symbolizing vigilance and responsibility to warn the people of impending danger. 4. God The sovereign Lord who appoints Ezekiel as a watchman and communicates His messages through him. 5. Babylonian Exile The period when the Israelites were taken captive by Babylon, serving as the backdrop for Ezekiel's prophetic ministry. Teaching Points The Role of a WatchmanAs believers, we are called to be vigilant and attentive to God's word, ready to warn and guide others in truth. Responsibility to Warn Like Ezekiel, Christians have a duty to speak God's truth, even when it is difficult, to help others avoid spiritual danger. Listening to God's Voice We must cultivate a relationship with God where we can hear His voice clearly, ensuring that our warnings and guidance are aligned with His will. Accountability Ezekiel's role as a watchman underscores the importance of accountability in our spiritual lives, both personally and in community. Faithfulness in Ministry Despite opposition or indifference, we are called to remain faithful in our ministry, trusting that God will use our efforts for His purposes. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Ezekiel 3:17?2. How does Ezekiel 3:17 define the role of a spiritual watchman today? 3. What responsibilities does God assign to Ezekiel in Ezekiel 3:17? 4. How can we apply the watchman's duties in Ezekiel 3:17 to our lives? 5. How does Ezekiel 3:17 connect with the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20? 6. What warnings should we deliver as modern-day watchmen, according to Ezekiel 3:17? 7. What does Ezekiel 3:17 mean by calling Ezekiel a "watchman" for Israel? 8. How does Ezekiel 3:17 challenge our responsibility to warn others of spiritual danger? 9. Why is the role of a "watchman" significant in the context of Ezekiel 3:17? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 3? Verse 17. - A watchman unto the house of Israel. The seven days' session of amazement came to an end, but even then there was at first no utterance of a message. The word of the Lord came to his own soul, and told him what his special vocation as a prophet was to be. He was to be a "watchman unto the house of Israel." He was, like the watchman of a city on his tower, to be on the look out to warn men against coming dangers, not to slumber on his post. In 2 Samuel 18:24-27 and 2 Kings 9:17-20 we have vivid pictures of such a work. It had already been used figuratively of the prophet's work by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 6:17). The cognate verb, with the image fully developed, meets us in Habakkuk 2:1. Its use in Hosea 9:8 is doubtful as to meaning, and in Isaiah 52:8 and Isaiah 56:10 it may be, if we accept the theory of a Deutero-Isaiah, an echo from Ezekiel. It is reproduced with special emphasis in Ezekiel 33:2-7. More than any word it describes the special characteristic of Ezekiel's work. He is to watch personally over individual souls. So in a like sense, a corresponding word is used of the Christian ministry in Hebrews 13:17 (compare also for the thought, though the word is not the same, Isaiah 21:11, 12; Isaiah 62:6; Psalm 127:1). A vivid picture of the work of such a watchman is found, it may be noted, in the opening speech of the 'Agamemnon' of AEschylus. Give them warning, etc. It is, I think, a legitimate inference that the prophet acted on the command while he was with the exiles and before the departure of ver. 22, not by harangues or sermons addressed to the whole body of the exiles, but by direct warning to individuals. Ezekiel 3:17 captures divine calling in five strokes: God addresses a mere human, commissions him as sentinel, directs his focus toward God’s covenant people, commands continual listening, and requires courageous, loving warning. The verse is a template for every believer who would speak truth today: know who you are, remember Who sent you, love the flock, keep your ear tuned to heaven, and let God’s Word ring out—clearly, urgently, and faithfully. 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 I have made נְתַתִּ֖יךָ (nə·ṯat·tî·ḵā) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular | second person masculine singular Strong's 5414: To give, put, set you a watchman צֹפֶ֥ה (ṣō·p̄eh) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 6822: To lean forward, to peer into the distance, to observe, await for the house לְבֵ֣ית (lə·ḇêṯ) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1004: A house of Israel. יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc Whenever you hear וְשָׁמַעְתָּ֤ (wə·šā·ma‘·tā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently a word דָּבָ֔ר (dā·ḇār) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause from מִמֶּֽנִּי׃ (mim·men·nî) Preposition | first person common singular Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of My mouth, מִפִּי֙ (mip·pî) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to give them a warning וְהִזְהַרְתָּ֥ (wə·hiz·har·tā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 2094: To gleam, to enlighten from Me. אוֹתָ֖ם (’ō·w·ṯām) Direct object marker | third person masculine plural Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case Additonal Resources Ezekiel 3:17 Blue Letter BibleEzekiel 3:17 Bible Gateway Ezekiel 3:17 Bible.com Ezekiel 3:17 NIV |
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