King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 6:1 Mean?

Ezekiel 6:1 in the King James Version says “And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,”

Ezekiel 6:1 · KJV

Context

1

And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

2

Son of man, set thy face toward the mountains of Israel, and prophesy against them,

3

And say, Ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD; Thus saith the Lord GOD to the mountains, and to the hills, to the rivers, and to the valleys; Behold, I, even I, will bring a sword upon you, and I will destroy your high places.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, This prophetic formula (vayehi devar-Yahweh elai lemor, וַיְהִי דְבַר־יְהוָה אֵלַי לֵאמֹר) introduces divine revelation, emphasizing that what follows originates from God, not human invention. The phrase "word of the LORD came" indicates active divine communication—God initiates, the prophet receives. This formula appears over 50 times in Ezekiel, establishing the book's authority as direct divine speech.

The Hebrew davar (דָּבָר, "word") signifies not mere verbal communication but powerful, creative utterance that accomplishes its purpose (Isaiah 55:10-11). When God's word comes, reality must conform. The passive construction "came unto me" emphasizes the prophet's receptivity—he doesn't generate messages but receives revelation from God. This distinguishes true prophets from false ones who speak from their own imagination (Jeremiah 23:16-22).

Theologically, this verse affirms Scripture's divine origin. The Bible isn't human religious philosophy but God's self-disclosure. Peter declares that prophecy never came by human will but by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:20-21). This grounds biblical authority—when Scripture speaks, God speaks. Our response should be humble submission, not critical evaluation, recognizing that God's word judges us, not vice versa (Hebrews 4:12).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ezekiel received prophetic revelations during his Babylonian exile (593-571 BC), communicating God's messages to fellow exiles in Tel-Abib. The formula 'word of the LORD came' connects Ezekiel to the prophetic tradition stretching back to Moses, through whom God spoke His law (Exodus 20:1). This authentication was crucial—exiles needed assurance they heard God's voice, not merely Ezekiel's opinions.

In ancient Near Eastern culture, prophets served as divine messengers, and this formula functioned as messenger credentials. Just as royal envoys declared 'thus says the king,' prophets declared 'thus says the LORD,' claiming to speak with divine authority. The frequency of this formula in Ezekiel (over 50 times) emphasizes the book's consistent divine origin throughout its 48 chapters.

For the exiles, hearing 'the word of the LORD came' would have both comforted and challenged. Comforted—God still spoke despite their exile from the land and temple. Challenged—His words demanded response and obedience. The continuing divine word proved God hadn't abandoned His people, even in judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the formula 'word of the LORD came' establish Scripture's authority as God's direct communication?
  2. What does the prophet's passive reception of God's word teach about authentic spiritual leadership?
  3. In what ways should recognizing Scripture as God's word (not human opinion) shape our reading and application?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 5 words
וַיְהִ֥י1 of 5
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

דְבַר2 of 5

“And the word”

H1697

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

יְהוָ֖ה3 of 5

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

אֵלַ֥י4 of 5
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

לֵאמֹֽר׃5 of 5

“came unto me saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

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 6:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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