Ezequiel 33
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Ezequiel 33
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS Ezekiel 12-24 explains YHWH's reason for His judgment on Judah. Ezekiel 25-32 is YHWH's judgments on the surrounding nations. Ezekiel 33-39 is the message to the exiles of YHWH's promised restoration. Ezekiel 33 is very similar to Ezekiel 18 in its emphasis on individual responsibility (cf. Deut. 24:16; Jer. 31:29-30). In this chapter the people admit their sin (cf. Ezek. 33:10). This theme of individual responsibility is one major truth of the book of Ezekiel and it begins in Ezek. 3:16-21. Special Topic: Covenant A footnote in the REB Oxford Study Bible, p. 893, asserts that this chapter repates themes given earlier in Ezekiel. 33:1-6 from 3:4-11 33:7-9 from 3:16-21 33:10-20 from 18:1-32 33:23-29 from 12:17-20
Ezequiel 33:1-6
33:1 This phrase is the literary marker for a new prophecy, used many times. 33:2 "Son of man" See full note at Ezek. 2:1. Special Topic: Son of Man ▣"speak" As so many of Ezekiel's prophecies this one starts out with the command "speak" or "say" (BDB 180; KB 210, Piel IMPERATIVE). ▣ "to the sons of your people" This is found only in Ezekiel (cf. Ezek. 3:11; 33:2,12,17,30; 37:18) and mostly in this chapter. Special Topic: Sons of. . .(OT) ▣ "If I bring a sword upon a land" This theme is amplified in chapter 21. The word was one of several items of judgment (sword, famine, plague, wild beasts, e.g. Ezek. 5:17). This would take the readers'/hearers' minds back to Leviticus 26 or Deuteronomy 27-28. ▣ "watchman" The world translated "watchman" is really a Qal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE of the VERB "to look out," "look about" or "spy out" (BDB 859, KB 1044, cf. Ezek. 33:2,6 [twice],7). This is the man who stood on the wall (or in a watchtower) to give an early warning of coming danger (cf. Ezek. 3:16-21; Isa. 21:4-10; 56:10; Jer. 6:17; Hosea 9:8). 33:3 "he sees the sword coming" The sword is used as imagery for an invading army. In this case it refers to the army of Nebuchadnezzar II of Neo-Babylon. Special Topic: Kings of Neo-Babylon ▣ "the trumpet" This refers to the sophar (BDB 1051) or ram's horn. It was used both for religious purposes and and military purposes (cf. Josh. 6:4; 2 Sam. 2:28; 18: 24,25; Ps. 81:3; Joel 2:15; Amos 3:6; Hab. 2:1). Special Topic: Horns Used By Israel. ▣ "warns" This VERB (BDB 264, KB 265, Hiphil PERFECT with waw) means "to warn" or possibly from an Aramaic root, "to teach" (cf. Exod. 18:20). It is found in the VERB form only and predominately in Ezekiel in two forms. Hiphil, to warn or caution (cf. Ezek. 3:17,18 [twice],19,20,21 [twice]; 33:3,7,8,9) Niphal, to be warned (cf. Ezek. 3:21; 33:4,5 [twice],6) 33:4,6 "his blood will be on his own head. . .but his blood I will require at the watchman's hand" Ezekiel felt the pressure of speaking YHWH's word to a non-responsive people (as did Isaiah and Jeremiah). In a sense he is defending his message of judgment on Judah. If he had not spoken, the inhabitants could have blamed him or God for the destruction and death of the nation. But he did speak and they still did not respond (cf. Isa. 6:9-10). The word "blood" stands for a person's life (cf. Ezek. 18:13; Lev. 17:11,14). Special Topic: Blood ▣ "watchman's hand" See Special Topic: Hand
Ezequiel 33:7-9
33:8 "you will surely die" This is a Hebrew grammatical construction (i.e. INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE and IMPERFECT VERB from the same root, here BDB 559, KB 562), which denotes emphasis or intensity (same phrase in Gen. 2:17). This one is repeated in Ezek. 33:14. Another related one (i.e. BDB 310, KB 309, "he will surely live") is found in Ezek. 33:13,15,16. ▣ "that wicked man shall die in his iniquity" This is the message of chapter 18. If one repents, YHWH will forgive. If one sins and refuses to repent, that one will bear his judgment. Special Topic: Repentance (OT)
Ezequiel 33:10-16
33:10 "say" It is characteristic for an IMPERATIVE (BDB 55, KB 65, Qal IMPERATIVE) to designate the beginning of YHWH's new message through Ezekiel (i.e. Ezek. 33:10,11,12). ▣ "Surely our transgressions and our sins are upon us, and we are rotting away in them" In chapter 18 the people were blaming their forefathers for YHWH's judgments, but here in chapter 33 they acknowledge their personal and corporate rebellion. The phrase "rotting away" is from the curses of Lev. 26:39-42. This phrase is found three times in Ezekiel (cf. Ezek. 4:17; 24:23; 33:10). Special Topic: Biblical Faith Is Corporate ▣ "then can we survive" This is literally "live" (BDB 310, KB 309, Qal IMPERFECT). We must see the devastating mental and physical anguish that the destruction of Jerusalem caused to the covenant people. Ezekiel, in chapters 33-39 after the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, begins to reassure the covenant people that YHWH is still their Covenant God (cf. Isa. 49:14-15) and that He will forgive and restore them, physically and spiritually (cf. Ezek. 37:11-14). 33:11 "'As I live!' declares the Lord God" This is an oath related to the name of the Covenant God, YHWH, from the Hebrew VERB "to be." It is the ever-living, only-living God who swears by His own life (cf. Ezek. 5:11). Special Topic: Names for Deity, D. Special Topic: Life (zoē) ▣ "I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked" This is a repetition of Ezek. 18:23,32. The heart of God is love, not judgment (cf. Exod. 34:6-7; John 3:16; Matt. 11:28-30). God wants all human beings made in His image and likeness to turn and respond to Him (cf. John 3:16; 4:42; 1 Tim. 2:4; Titus 2:11; 2 Pet. 3:9; 1 John 2:1; 4:14) by repentance and faith (cf. Mark 1:15; Acts 2:38,41; 3:16,19; 20:21). Special Topic: Characteristics of Israel's God (OT) Special Topic: YHWH's Eternal Redemptive Plan Special Topic: Seek the Lord ▣ "turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why will you die, Oh house of Israel" The VERB (BDB 996, KB 1427, Qal IMPERTAIVE) is repeated for emphasis (cf. Ezek. 3:19,20; 14:6 [thrice]; 18:21,23,24,26,27,28,30 [twice],32; 33:9,11 [twice],12,14,19). This is a choice humans must make (cf. Deut. 30:1,15,19). Repentance is a crucial spiritual requirement. Repentance primarily is a turning from self and a turning to God. The Hebrew word (BDB 996) speaks of a change of action, while the Greek speaks of a change of mind. Both are involved (cf. Ezek. 18:31; Jer. 31:33; also note 2 Cor. 7:8-11). Special Topic: Repentance (OT) Special Topic: Repentance (NT) ▣ "house of Israel" Israel in this context refers specifically to Judah. Ezekiel uses this designation to foreshadow the coming unity of the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 33:12 "The righteousness of the righteous man will not deliver him in the day of his transgression" This does not refer to cumulative guilt or acquired merit (cf. chapter 18), but lifestyle relational faith! What a terrible warning! What a wonderful invitation (cf. Ezek. 33:10)! Special Topic: Righteousness. 33:13 "and he will surely live" This is the INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE and the IMPERFECT VERB of the same root (BDB 310, KB 309, cf. Ezek. 33:15,16), which expresses intensity or emphasis (see note at Ezek. 33:8). ▣ "and he so trusts in his righteousness" This is always a danger of religious humanity. The believer must trust in God, not in oneself or one's performance. His/her trust (BDB 105) must issue from an initial faith and repentance to an ongoing faith and repentance. Biblical faith is a daily relationship! Obedience does make a difference (cf. Ezek. 33:16,31-32; Deut. 4:1; Hab. 2:4; Eph. 1:4; 2:8-10; James 2:14-26) and is the natural result of a dynamic faith. Special Topic: Covenant Special Topic: Keep 33:14 "practices justice and righteousness" Notice that there is no distinction in this context between secular and sacred because all belongs to God. This is a truth that moderns need to hear. All life and all relationships are sacred because of Gen. 1:26-27. We must not separate justification from sanctification. Special Topic: Judge, Judgment, Justice 33:15 "restores a pledge" This term, "a pledge," (BDB 286, KB 285) basically means "to bind." When one borrows he is obligated to repay. To secure this repayment (without interest to a fellow Israelite) the creditor could take something of value and hold it. grinding stone, Ezek. 24:6 garments, Ezek. 24:17; Exod. 22:25-27; Job 24:7,10 ancestral land and houses, Neh. 5:3 (possibly Job 24:2) an essential animal, Job 24:3 essential help, the children, Exod. 21:7; Lev. 25:39-43; 2 Kgs. 4:1; Job 24:9 Each of these items was a necessary part of daily agricultural existence. To remove any one of these jeopardized the family, even life itself. YHWH's compassion and care for Israel was to be emulated by those Israelites who had resources. God would bless them for their compassion. They would be given more so that they could share more (cf. Ezek. 33:13; 2 Cor. 9:6-10). Special Topic: Wealth ▣ "pays back what he has taken by robbery" Robbery is discussed in Exod. 22:1-4; Lev. 6:4,5. The stolen items must be returned with a penalty. Special Topic: Stealing ▣ "walks by the statutes" The VERB (BDB 229, KB 246, Qal PERFECT) is an idiom of lifestyle faith. Faith is personal and communal. The first can be seen and evaluated by how we treat others! Notice that the statutes of God are meant to bestow life (another INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE and IMPERFECT VERB of the same root, BDB 310, KB 309). God's laws were to protect humanity during this period of fallenness (i.e. Deut. 30:16). Special Topic: Terms for God's Revelation Special Topic: The Path, The Way Special Topic: The Fall of Mankind 33:16 "None of his sins that he has committed will be remembered against him" What a tremendous promise of the forgiveness of YHWH (cf. Ezek. 18:22; Ps. 103:12; Isa. 1:18; 38:17; 43:25; 44:22; Micah 7:18, 19)! When God forgives, God forgets!
Ezequiel 33:17-20
33:17-20 This supposed dialogue between YHWH's spokesperson and the wicked is similar to the diatribe format found in Malachi, Paul's writings, and 1 John. A statement of truth is made, then a supposed contemporary objector restates or challenges the first statement. In a concluding statement from the first speaker, God gives His answer to contemporary false views. 33:17 "The way of the Lord" This speaks of lifestyle faith (i.e. Deut. 3:33; 8:6; 10:12; 11:22; 19:9; 26:17; 28:9; 30:16). The early church's title was "The Way" (cf. Acts 9:2; 18:25,26; 19:9,23; 22:4; 24:14,22). Special Topic: The Path, The Way ▣ "right" This refers to a measuring standard (BDB 1067). It is used often in Ezekiel (cf. Ezek. 18:25 [twice], 29 [twice]; 33:17 [twice], 20). They were claiming that YHWH's justice was unfair (weighted falsely, cf. 1 Sam. 2:3; Prov. 16:2; 24:12), but the problem was human, willful rebellion (cf. Ezek. 18:25, 29). Special Topic: Righteousness 33:20 "I will judge each of you according to his ways" Notice the individual emphasis continues (i.e. Deut. 24:16; Jer. 31:29-30; Ezek. 3:16-21; 18; 33). This is a recurrent biblical truth. We reap what we sow! Note Job 34:11; Ps. 28:4; 62:12; Prov. 24:12; Eccl. 12:14; Jer. 17:10; 32:19; Matt. 16:27; 25:31-46; Rom. 2:6; 14:12; 1 Cor. 3:8; 2 Cor. 5:10; Gal. 6:7-10; 2 Tim. 4:14; 1 Pet. 1:17; Rev. 2:23; 20:12; 22:12! Special Topic: Judge, Judgment, Justice Special Topic: Judgment in the NT
Ezequiel 33:21-22
33:21 "in the twelfth year of our exile" The Syriac translation (Peshitta) has "eleventh." The Septuagint has "tenth." The exact date is uncertain. This is one of several dates in Ezekiel that seem to mark the beginning of a new prophetic revelation from YHWH. If this is correct, then the next date is found in Ezek. 40:1, which implies Ezek. 33:21-39:29 is a unified literary unit. This section of Ezekiel emphasizes the promise of divine restoration of a segment of the seed of Abraham (see Special Topic: The Remnant [three senses]). The Jewish Study Bible, p. 1107, identifies several separate oracles in this literary unit. 33:21-33 34:1-31 35:1-36:15 36:16-37:14 37:15-28 38:1-39:39 ▣ "The city has been taken" Ezekiel had predicted this earlier, but this was the first eyewitness confirmation. This is a crucial point in Ezekiel's ministry. Once the predicted judgment of YHWH has struck (i.e. the destruction of Jerusalem), Ezekiel then begins to proclaim YHWH's messages of hope and restoration. 33:22 "the hand of the Lord had been upon me" This is an idiomatic way of referring to YHWH's initiation of a revelatory message (cf. Ezek. 1:3; 3:14,22; 8:1; 37:1; 40:1). The phrase usually marks crucial transition points, but here and in chapter 3 it denotes an incoming message. Special Topic: God Described As Human Special Topic: Inspiration ▣ "He opened my mouth" Previously, Ezekiel had been forced to do dramatic actions because he could not speak, but now he was permitted to speak (cf. Ezek. 3:26, 27; 24:27).
Ezequiel 33:23-29
33:24 "they who live in these waste places in the land of Israel are saying" Those who escaped the captivity and exile to Neo-Babylon (cf. Jeremiah 24), were asserting that YHWH had blessed them and had cursed the exiles, but this was simply not the case (cf. Ezek. 33:27; 11:1-27). 33:25 "You eat meat with blood in it" This refers to the improper preparations of meat (cf. Lev. 3:17; 7:26-27; 17:10,12,14; 19:26; Deut. 12:16, 23; 15:23). In this context it probably refers to cultic meals at pagan altars. This may refer to Canaanite divination (see IVP Bible Background Commentary [OT], p. 721). ▣ "lift up your eyes" This is imagery for prayer. They were idolaters. ▣ "you shed blood" This refers to the killing of righteous people the killing of the poor the offering of their children to the Phoenician fertility god, Molech (see Special Topic: Molech) ▣ "Should you then possess the land" This question is very similar to Jeremiah's temple sermon of chapter 7, in particular Ezek. 33:9 and 10. YHWH's covenant with Abraham's seed was conditional. This is a crucial theolgocial point! Special Topic: Covenant 33:26 "You rely on your sword" They were trusting in their military power and walled cities (cf. Ezek. 33:28, "the pride of her power will cease"). ▣ "you commit abominations and each of you defiles his neighbor's wife" This refers to the fertility rites of the Canaanite gods, Ba'al and Ashterah. Special Topic: Fertility Worship of the ANE Special Topic: Abomination (OT) 33:27-29 These curses reflect Lev. 26:22,25. 33:29 The Jewish Study Bible, p. 1108, says this verse summarizes the message of the whole book.
Ezequiel 33:30-33
33:30 Ezekiel's fellow exiles were talking about (his prophecies) what happened to Jerusalem and what would happen to the few who remained. In this context the prophet is commanded to address their concerns. come ‒ BDB 97, KB 112, Qal IMPERATIVE PLURAL hear ‒ BDB 1033, KB 1570, Qal IMPERATIVE PLURAL YHWH still wants to speak to His people. The ones in exile are the people He will begin again with. 33:31 "They come to you as people come, and they sit before you as My people but they do the lustful desires expressed by their mouth, and their heart goes after their gain" There was outward, religious show, but no true piety. To them Ezekiel was the best show in town (cf. Ezek. 33:32), but they had no real desire to turn to YHWH (cf. Isa. 6:9-13; 29:13). 33:32 "for they hear your words but they do not practice them" They hear, but they do not do (i.e. the opposite of shema; see Special Topic: Listen/Hear [shema]). This is the condemnation of "religious people," cf. Matt. 7:24-27; James 1:23-25). The exiles loved to come hear or observe Ezekiel's messages, but they did not really believe them. He was the only show in town. This would all change with the news brought by an exiled survivor of Jerusalem that indeed all that Ezekiel had predicted had occurred (cf. Ezek. 33:33). Special Topic: Keep 33:33 The mark of a true prophet is that what they predict (unless repentance occurs, i.e. Jonah) comes to pass (cf. Ezek. 33:29; 13:6; Deut. 18:22; Jer. 28:9). Ezekiel had been right about Judah and Jerusalem and he would be right about the destruction of the nations! He would also be right about the forgiveness and restoration to come! Special Topic: Prophecy (OT)