Ezekiel 2:5

5 They may listen, or they may not, since they are a people who have turned against me. But they will know 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,

---

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, "Human, I am sending you to the people of Israel. That nation has turned against me and broken away from me. They and their ancestors have sinned against me until this very day.

4 I am sending you to people who are stubborn and who do not obey. You will say to them, 'This is what the Lord God says.'

5 They may listen, or they may not, since they are a people who have turned against me. But they will know that a prophet has been among them.

6 You, human, don't be afraid of the people or their words. Even though they may be like thorny branches and stickers all around you, and though you may feel like you live with poisonous insects, don't be afraid. Don't be afraid of their words or their looks, because they are a people who turn against me.

7 But speak my words to them. They may listen, or they may not, because they turn against me.