Ezekiel 3:9

9 Yes, I am making your resoluteness harder than flint, as hard as a diamond. So don't be afraid of them or depressed by how they look at you, because they are a rebellious house."

Ezekiel 3:9 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 3:9

As an adamant harder than flint have I made thy forehead
Or, "than a rock" ^F15; the "adamant" has its name in Greek, because it cannot be conquered or subdued, neither by the hammer, nor by fire; the one cannot break, nor this other consume it; land it is called "shamir" in Hebrew, from its preserving itself from both; it will cut iron in pieces, which is harder than stone, and therefore must be harder than that. Bochart takes it to be the same with "smiris", a hard stone, which jewellers use to polish their gems with; see ( Jeremiah 17:1 ) ( Zechariah 7:12 ) . The design of the simile is to set forth the courage and fortitude of mind the prophet was endowed with, in order to face an impudent and hardhearted people; fear them not, neither be dismayed at their looks, though they [be] a
rebellious house; (See Gill on Ezekiel 2:6).

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FOOTNOTES:

F15 (rwum) "rupe", Junius & Tremellius, Polanus, Piscator; "prae rupe", Cocceius; "ex rupe", Starckius; "prae petra", Montanus.

Ezekiel 3:9 In-Context

7 But the house of Isra'el will not be willing to listen to you, because they aren't willing to listen to me; since all the house of Isra'el are obstinate and hardhearted.

8 However, I am making you as defiant and obstinate as they are.

9 Yes, I am making your resoluteness harder than flint, as hard as a diamond. So don't be afraid of them or depressed by how they look at you, because they are a rebellious house."

10 Then he said to me, "Human being, receive in your heart and hear with your ears all my words that I speak to you.

11 Then go to the exiles, to your countrymen; and speak to them. Tell them, 'Here is what Adonai ELOHIM, says,' whether they listen or not."