And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them.
Parallel translations
- WEB They, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house), yet shall know that there has been a prophet among them.
- BSB And whether they listen or refuse to listen—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them.
- NKJV As for them, whether they hear or whether they refuse—for they are a rebellious house—yet they will know that a prophet has been among them.
- NASB As for them, whether they listen or not—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them.
- NLT And whether they listen or refuse to listen—for remember, they are rebels—at least they will know they have had a prophet among them.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Whether they listen or not, the people will know a prophet has been among them. God's word stands as a witness either way.
Overview
God's purpose is accomplished simply by the faithful delivery of His word. Even if Israel rebels, they cannot claim they were unwarned. The prophet's presence makes them accountable before God. This principle echoes the gospel, which is a fragrance of life to some and a witness against others (2 Corinthians 2:15-16).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- Ezek 33:33And when this cometh to pass, (lo, it will come,) then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them.
- Ezek 3:27But when I speak with thee, I will open thy mouth, and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; He that heareth, let him hear; and he that forbeareth, let him forbear: for they are a rebellious house.
- Matt 10:12–15And when ye come into an house, salute it.
- John 15:22If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin.
- Acts 13:46Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
- Luke 10:10–12But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,
- Ezek 2:7And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious.
- Rom 3:3For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?
- 2 Cor 2:15–17For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
- Ezek 33:9Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
- Ezek 3:19Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
- Ezek 3:10–11Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, all my words that I shall speak unto thee receive in thine heart, and hear with thine ears.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The promise of one Shepherd-King David, a new heart and new Spirit, and the river of life flowing from the temple all stream toward Christ, the good Shepherd who gives the Spirit.
How Ezekiel 2:5 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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