Ezekiel 2:5

5 They are a defiant bunch. Whether or not they listen, at least they'll know that a prophet's been here.

Ezekiel 2:5 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 2:5

And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear,
&c.] Or "cease" ^F25; that is, from hearing, as Jarchi and Kimchi interpret it; or from sinning, as the Targum. The sense is, whether they would hear the word of the Lord, as spoken by the prophet, attend unto it, receive it, and obey it; or whether they would reject it, turn their backs on it, and discontinue hearing it; or whether they would so hear as to leave their sinful course of life, or not: this the prophet could not know beforehand, nor should he be concerned about it, or be discouraged if his ministry should be fruitless; since he could not expect much from them: (for they [are] a rebellious house);
or, "a house of rebellion" ^F26; a most rebellious one; hard of heart, face, and neck: yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them;
so that they were left without excuse, which was the end of the prophet's being sent unto them; there was little or no hope of reclaiming them; but, however, by such a step taken, they could not say that they had no prophet sent to reprove them for their sins, and warn them of their danger; had they, they would have listened to him, and so have escaped the evils that came upon them,

---

FOOTNOTES:

F25 (wldxy) "cessaverint", Pagninas, Montanus, Starckius; "desistent", Calvin, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.
F26 (yrm tyb) "domus rebellionis", Montanus, Calvin, Piscator, Junius & Tremellius, Starckius.

Ezekiel 2:5 In-Context

3 He said, "Son of man, I'm sending you to the family of Israel, a rebellious nation if there ever was one. They and their ancestors have fomented rebellion right up to the present.

4 They're a hard case, these people to whom I'm sending you - hardened in their sin. Tell them, 'This is the Message of God, the Master.'

5 They are a defiant bunch. Whether or not they listen, at least they'll know that a prophet's been here.

6 But don't be afraid of them, son of man, and don't be afraid of anything they say. Don't be afraid when living among them is like stepping on thorns or finding scorpions in your bed. Don't be afraid of their mean words or their hard looks. They're a bunch of rebels.

7 Your job is to speak to them. Whether they listen is not your concern. They're hardened rebels.