Limitless Word
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.
Ezekiel 2:5 · New Living Translation
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.
  • KJV 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.
  • 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.

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 33:33When this comes to pass, (behold, it comes), then shall they know that a prophet has been among them.
  • Ezek 3:27But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you shall tell them, ‘Thus says the Lord Yahweh.’ He who hears, let him hear; and he who forbears, let him forbear: for they are a rebellious house.”
  • Matt 10:12–15As you enter into the household, greet it.
  • John 15:22If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have had sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin.
  • Acts 13:46Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, and said, “It was necessary that God’s word should be spoken to you first. Since indeed you thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.
  • Luke 10:10–12But into whatever city you enter, and they don’t receive you, go out into its streets and say,
  • Ezek 2:7You shall speak my words to them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear; for they are most rebellious.
  • Rom 3:3For what if some were without faith? Will their lack of faith nullify the faithfulness of God?
  • 2 Cor 2:15–17For we are a sweet aroma of Christ to God, in those who are saved, and in those who perish;
  • Ezek 33:9Nevertheless, if you warn the wicked of his way to turn from it, and he doesn’t turn from his way; he shall die in his iniquity, but you have delivered your soul.
  • Ezek 3:19Yet if you warn the wicked, and he doesn’t turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.”
  • Ezek 3:10–11Moreover he said to me, “Son of man, all my words that I shall speak to you receive in your heart, and hear with your ears.

Themes, concepts, people & topics

Topics (3)

Resources, by level

Commentaries & study tools

  • VideoBibleProject — Ezekiel videosBibleProject · Lay · Free · evangelical

    Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.

  • VideoWatch teaching on Ezekiel 2:5YouTube · Lay · Free

    Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.

  • CommentaryEnduring Word — verse-by-verseDavid Guzik · Lay · Free · evangelical

    Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.

  • CommentaryClassic commentaries for this verseBibleHub (20+ works) · Pastoral · Free

    Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.

  • CommentaryMatthew Henry on EzekielMatthew Henry · Pastoral · Free · evangelical

    The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).

  • ReferenceInterlinear, lexicon & Strong'sBlue Letter Bible · Seminary · Free

    Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.

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

Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.