King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 3:27 Mean?

Ezekiel 3:27 in the King James Version says “But when I speak with thee, I will open thy mouth, and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; He that hearet...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“But 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.”

Ezekiel 3:27 · KJV

Context

25

But thou, O son of man, behold, they shall put bands upon thee, and shall bind thee with them, and thou shalt not go out among them:

26

And I will make thy tongue cleave to the roof of thy mouth, that thou shalt be dumb, and shalt not be to them a reprover : for they are a rebellious house. a reprover: Heb. a man reproving

27

But 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.

Read Ezekiel 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God declares He will open Ezekiel's mouth at specific times to deliver messages, while at other times the prophet will be silent. The phrase 'He that heareth, let him hear; and he that forbeareth, let him forbear' (shomea yishma vehechadel yechdal, שֹׁמֵעַ יִשְׁמָע וְהֶחָדֵל יֶחְדָּל) acknowledges human freedom in responding to divine revelation. God's word divides hearers into two categories: those who receive it and those who refuse. This same principle appears in Jesus' parabolic teaching: 'He who has ears to hear, let him hear' (Matthew 11:15, 13:9, Mark 4:9). The designation 'they are a rebellious house' (beyit-meri, בֵית־מֶרִי) repeats throughout Ezekiel (2:5-8, 3:9, 12:2-3), explaining why many will refuse the message. Yet God persists in sending His word even to rebellious hearers, demonstrating both His justice (they cannot claim ignorance) and His mercy (He continues offering opportunity for repentance).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ezekiel's selective speech (periods of divinely imposed muteness, 3:26) distinguished him from false prophets who spoke constantly without divine authorization. True prophets spoke only when God gave specific messages, while false prophets manufactured oracles on demand. This pattern tested Ezekiel's obedience—would he remain silent when people wanted words, and speak when they didn't? The exiles, accustomed to prophets who told them what they wanted to hear, found Ezekiel's intermittent ministry frustrating. Yet this very pattern authenticated his messages as genuinely divine rather than humanly contrived. God controlled both the timing and content of prophetic utterance.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you discern when to speak God's truth and when to remain silent, waiting for His timing?
  2. How should the reality that some will refuse God's word affect your evangelism and witness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וּֽבְדַבְּרִ֤י1 of 19

“But when I speak”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אֽוֹתְךָ֙2 of 19

“with”

H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

אֶפְתַּ֣ח3 of 19

“thee I will open”

H6605

to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve

אֶת4 of 19
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

פִּ֔יךָ5 of 19

“thy mouth”

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

אָמַ֖ר6 of 19

“and thou shalt say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם7 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כֹּ֥ה8 of 19
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֖ר9 of 19

“and thou shalt say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֣י10 of 19

“the Lord”

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יְהוִֹ֑ה11 of 19
H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

יִשְׁמָע֙12 of 19

“He that heareth”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

יִשְׁמָע֙13 of 19

“He that heareth”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

וְהֶחָדֵ֣ל׀14 of 19

“and he that forbeareth”

H2310

vacant, i.e., ceasing or destitute

יֶחְדָּ֔ל15 of 19

“let him forbear”

H2308

properly, to be flabby, i.e., (by implication) desist; (figuratively) be lacking or idle

כִּ֛י16 of 19
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

בֵּ֥ית17 of 19

“house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

מְרִ֖י18 of 19

“for they are a rebellious”

H4805

bitterness, i.e., (figuratively) rebellion; concretely, bitter, or rebellious

הֵֽמָּה׃19 of 19
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

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 3:27 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 3:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 12:2-3Ezekiel 24:27Ezekiel 3:11Ezekiel 29:21Ezekiel 33:22Ezekiel 3:26

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