King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 24:26 Mean?

Ezekiel 24:26 in the King James Version says “That he that escapeth in that day shall come unto thee, to cause thee to hear it with thine ears? — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

That he that escapeth in that day shall come unto thee, to cause thee to hear it with thine ears?

Ezekiel 24:26 · KJV


Context

24

Thus Ezekiel is unto you a sign: according to all that he hath done shall ye do: and when this cometh, ye shall know that I am the Lord GOD.

25

Also, thou son of man, shall it not be in the day when I take from them their strength, the joy of their glory, the desire of their eyes, and that whereupon they set their minds, their sons and their daughters, that: Heb. the lifting up of their soul

26

That he that escapeth in that day shall come unto thee, to cause thee to hear it with thine ears?

27

In that day shall thy mouth be opened to him which is escaped, and thou shalt speak, and be no more dumb: and thou shalt be a sign unto them; and they shall know that I am the LORD.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
In that day shall thy mouth be opened to him which is escaped—A fugitive (פָּלִיט, pālîṭ, 'survivor/refugee') would bring news of Jerusalem's fall to Babylon. God had struck Ezekiel mute except for prophetic utterances (3:26-27); and thou shalt speak, and be no more dumb—his speech would be fully restored when the prophecy was fulfilled.

And thou shalt be a sign unto them; and they shall know that I am the LORD—Ezekiel's restored speech would itself be a prophetic sign (אוֹת, ʾôt) proving God's word reliable. This occurred exactly as predicted (33:21-22): 'one that had escaped out of Jerusalem came unto me...and my mouth was opened...and I was no more dumb.' The fulfillment of this specific detail—his speech restored at the exact moment news arrived—authenticated his entire prophetic ministry.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ezekiel was struck mute in 593 BC (3:26). He could speak only God's prophetic messages for seven years. In January 585 BC, a survivor reached Babylon with news of Jerusalem's fall (33:21), and Ezekiel's full speech was restored. This 18-month gap (fall in July 586, news in January 585) reflects the dangerous 900-mile journey.

Reflection Questions

  1. How did God use Ezekiel's muteness to focus attention on His prophetic word?
  2. What does the precise fulfillment of this sign teach about biblical prophecy's reliability?
  3. How has God used limitations in your life to amplify His message?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 7 words
בַּיּ֣וֹם1 of 7

in that day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַה֔וּא2 of 7
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

יָב֥וֹא3 of 7

shall come

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

הַפָּלִ֖יט4 of 7

That he that escapeth

H6412

a refugee

אֵלֶ֑יךָ5 of 7
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

לְהַשְׁמָע֖וּת6 of 7

unto thee to cause thee to hear

H2045

announcement

אָזְנָֽיִם׃7 of 7

it with thine ears

H241

broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezekiel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezekiel 24:26 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezekiel 24:26 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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