Ezekiel 2:5

5 "As for them, ¹whether they listen or not-for they are a rebellious house -they will ²know that a prophet has been among them.

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,

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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 Then He said to me, "Son of man, I am sending you to the sons of Israel, to a rebellious people who have rebelled against Me; they and their fathers have transgressed against Me to this very day.

4 "I am sending you to them who are stubborn and obstinate children, and you shall say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD.'

5 "As for them, whether they listen or not-for they are a rebellious house -they will know that a prophet has been among them.

6 "And you, son of man, neither fear them nor fear their words, though thistles and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions; neither fear their words nor be dismayed at their presence, for they are a rebellious house.

7 "But you shall speak My words to them whether they listen or not, for they are rebellious.

Cross References

• 1. Ezekiel 2:7; Ezekiel 3:11, 27; Matthew 10:12-15; Acts 13:46
• 2. Ezekiel 33:33; Luke 10:10, 11; John 15:22

Footnotes

• [a] Lit "forbear"