King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 33:31 Mean?

Ezekiel 33:31 in the King James Version says “And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they w...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 33 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. as the: Heb. according to the coming of the people they sit: or, my people sit before thee they shew: Heb. they make loves, or, jests”

Ezekiel 33:31 · KJV

Love

Context

29

Then shall they know that I am the LORD, when I have laid the land most desolate because of all their abominations which they have committed.

30

Also, thou son of man, the children of thy people still are talking against thee by the walls and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to another, every one to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the LORD. against thee: of, of thee

31

And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. as the: Heb. according to the coming of the people they sit: or, my people sit before thee they shew: Heb. they make loves, or, jests

32

And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not. a very: Heb. a song of loves

33

And when this cometh to pass, (lo, it will come,) then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them.

Read Ezekiel 33 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. This verse exposes religious hypocrisy in devastating terms. The people attended Ezekiel's prophetic gatherings, appearing to be "my people" (God's covenant community), and "hear thy words" (shamau, שָׁמְעוּ)—but hearing without obeying reveals false religion. The contrast between external conformity and internal rebellion illustrates what Jesus later condemned as honoring God with lips while hearts remain far from Him (Matthew 15:8, citing Isaiah 29:13).

"They will not do them" (lo ya'asu otam, לֹא יַעֲשׂוּ אֹתָם) reveals the heart of the problem—disconnection between profession and practice, hearing and doing. James 1:22-25 echoes this warning against self-deception through hearing-only religion. "With their mouth they shew much love" (agavim rabim, עֲגָבִים רַבִּים) describes emotional expressions of devotion—possibly enthusiastic worship or affirmations of love for God—that mask true heart condition.

The root problem: "their heart goeth after their covetousness" (acharey bitzam libam holek, אַחֲרֵי בִּצְעָם לִבָּם הֹלֵךְ). Betza (בֶּצַע) means unjust gain, greed, profit pursued at others' expense. Covetousness—desiring what belongs to others or prioritizing material gain—reveals idolatry (Colossians 3:5). Theologically, this verse warns that religious activity without heart transformation is worthless before God. True faith produces obedience; genuine love for God surpasses love for wealth.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This rebuke came during Ezekiel's later ministry (approximately 586-585 BC), after Jerusalem's fall. News of the city's destruction had reached the exiles (Ezekiel 33:21), validating Ezekiel's prophecies and initially increasing his popularity. People gathered to hear him, treating his messages as entertainment or novelty rather than as God's authoritative word requiring obedience. This created a dangerous situation—religious observance without genuine repentance.

The exile community faced identity crisis: removed from the land, temple destroyed, political independence lost. Some responded with genuine soul-searching and repentance; others maintained external religious forms while pursuing material prosperity in Babylon. Archaeological evidence shows some Jewish exiles achieved economic success in Babylon, particularly in banking and commerce. This prosperity created tension between maintaining covenant faithfulness and adopting Babylonian commercial values.

Ancient Near Eastern culture recognized similar hypocrisy. Egyptian wisdom texts condemned those who gave lip service to gods while violating ma'at (truth/justice). However, Israel's prophets uniquely emphasized that Yahweh demands heart-level integrity, not mere ritual compliance. The historical context shows that exile should have prompted deep repentance, yet many substituted religious attendance for genuine transformation. This pattern recurred throughout Israel's history and continues in every generation of the church.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage distinguish between genuine faith and religious hypocrisy?
  2. What does it mean to "hear" God's word in the biblical sense, and why is hearing without doing self-deception?
  3. How does covetousness function as practical idolatry, and what does it reveal about true heart allegiance?
  4. In what ways might contemporary Christians exhibit this same pattern of outward religious observance with inward covetousness?
  5. How can believers examine themselves to ensure their worship and profession of love for God align with obedient, transformed lives?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וְיָב֣וֹאוּ1 of 22

“And they come”

H935

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

אֵ֠לֶיךָ2 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כִּמְבוֹא3 of 22

“cometh”

H3996

an entrance (the place or the act); specifically sunset or the west; also (adverb with preposition) towards

עַמִּ֔י4 of 22

“thee as my people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

וְיֵשְׁב֤וּ5 of 22

“and they sit”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

לְפָנֶ֙יךָ֙6 of 22

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

עַמִּ֔י7 of 22

“thee as my people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

וְשָֽׁמְעוּ֙8 of 22

“and they hear”

H8085

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

אֶת9 of 22
H853

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

דְּבָרֶ֔יךָ10 of 22

“thy words”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

וְאוֹתָ֖ם11 of 22
H853

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

לֹ֣א12 of 22
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

עֹשִׂ֔ים13 of 22

“but they will not do”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

כִּֽי14 of 22
H3588

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

עֲגָבִ֤ים15 of 22

“much love”

H5690

love (concretely), i.e., amative words

בְּפִיהֶם֙16 of 22

“them for with their mouth”

H6310

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

הֵ֣מָּה17 of 22
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

עֹשִׂ֔ים18 of 22

“but they will not do”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

אַחֲרֵ֥י19 of 22

“after”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

בִצְעָ֖ם20 of 22

“their covetousness”

H1215

plunder; by extension, gain (usually unjust)

לִבָּ֥ם21 of 22

“but their heart”

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

הֹלֵֽךְ׃22 of 22

“goeth”

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

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 33:31 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 33:31 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 13:22Psalms 78:36-37Luke 11:28Isaiah 29:13James 1:22-24James 2:14-16

Test Your Knowledge

Ezekiel 33 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterEzekiel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Ezekiel 33 with CommentaryAll Ezekiel ChaptersComplete Ezekiel QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes