Ezekiel 12:25
For I am the LORD: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; it shall be no more prolonged: for in your days, O rebellious house, will I say the word, and will perform it, saith the Lord GOD.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֣י׀
H3588
כִּ֣י׀
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יְהוָ֗ה
For I am the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֗ה
For I am the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֲדַבֵּ֤ר
I will speak
H1696
אֲדַבֵּ֤ר
I will speak
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
4 of 22
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
אֵת֩
H853
אֵת֩
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אֲדַבֵּ֤ר
I will speak
H1696
אֲדַבֵּ֤ר
I will speak
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
7 of 22
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
דָּבָר֙
and the word
H1697
דָּבָר֙
and the word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
8 of 22
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
וַעֲשִׂיתִ֔יו
and will perform
H6213
וַעֲשִׂיתִ֔יו
and will perform
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
9 of 22
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
10 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִמָּשֵׁ֖ךְ
it shall be no more prolonged
H4900
תִמָּשֵׁ֖ךְ
it shall be no more prolonged
Strong's:
H4900
Word #:
11 of 22
to draw, used in a great variety of applications (including to sow, to sound, to prolong, to develop, to march, to remove, to delay, to be tall, etc.)
ע֑וֹד
H5750
ע֑וֹד
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
12 of 22
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
13 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בִֽימֵיכֶ֞ם
for in your days
H3117
בִֽימֵיכֶ֞ם
for in your days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
14 of 22
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
בֵּ֣ית
house
H1004
בֵּ֣ית
house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
15 of 22
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
הַמֶּ֗רִי
O rebellious
H4805
הַמֶּ֗רִי
O rebellious
Strong's:
H4805
Word #:
16 of 22
bitterness, i.e., (figuratively) rebellion; concretely, bitter, or rebellious
אֲדַבֵּ֤ר
I will speak
H1696
אֲדַבֵּ֤ר
I will speak
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
17 of 22
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
דָּבָר֙
and the word
H1697
דָּבָר֙
and the word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
18 of 22
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
וַעֲשִׂיתִ֔יו
and will perform
H6213
וַעֲשִׂיתִ֔יו
and will perform
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
19 of 22
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Cross References
Isaiah 55:11So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.Ezekiel 12:28Therefore say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; There shall none of my words be prolonged any more, but the word which I have spoken shall be done, saith the Lord GOD.Habakkuk 1:5Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you.Isaiah 14:24The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand:Matthew 24:35Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.Luke 21:33Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.Jeremiah 16:9For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will cause to cease out of this place in your eyes, and in your days, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride.Ezekiel 6:10And they shall know that I am the LORD, and that I have not said in vain that I would do this evil unto them.Zechariah 1:6But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the LORD of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.Lamentations 2:17The LORD hath done that which he had devised; he hath fulfilled his word that he had commanded in the days of old: he hath thrown down, and hath not pitied: and he hath caused thine enemy to rejoice over thee, he hath set up the horn of thine adversaries.
Historical Context
The phrase 'in your days' announced imminence—judgment would occur within that generation's lifetime. This proved true; Ezekiel prophesied around 591 BC, Jerusalem fell in 586 BC. Most of his original audience lived to witness fulfillment, vindicating his prophecies. The 'rebellious house' designation (repeated throughout Ezekiel) emphasized they received judgment they earned.
God's declaration 'I will speak...will perform' parallels ancient Near Eastern royal decrees. Kings would issue edicts expecting automatic fulfillment. But human kings' words often failed through rebellion, inability, or unforeseen circumstances. In stark contrast, divine decrees face no obstacles. What Yahweh speaks, He accomplishes, demonstrating sovereignty infinitely exceeding human authority. This would comfort faithful Israelites—God's promises of restoration were equally certain.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the performative nature of God's word (speak = perform) assure believers of promise fulfillment?
- What does God's declaration 'it shall be no more prolonged' teach about divine timing and human impatience?
- In what ways should confidence in God's sovereign decree shape your trust in biblical promises?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God declares His sovereign control: 'For I am the LORD: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; it shall be no more prolonged: for in your days, O rebellious house, will I say the word, and will perform it, saith the Lord GOD.' This powerful declaration emphasizes divine sovereignty, efficacy of God's word, and imminence of judgment. The repeated first-person 'I' statements stress divine agency—God personally speaks, and personally ensures fulfillment.
The phrase 'word that I shall speak shall come to pass' (ha-davar asher adabber ye'aseh, הַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר־אֲדַבֵּר יֵעָשֶׂה) emphasizes the performative nature of divine speech. God's words don't merely describe future events; they create and guarantee them. This recalls creation by divine fiat (Genesis 1:3, 6, 9) and anticipates Isaiah's declaration about God's word not returning void (Isaiah 55:11). What God speaks, He accomplishes.
From a Reformed perspective, this verse teaches the doctrine of God's decree—His eternal purpose determining whatsoever comes to pass. God's speech isn't tentative or contingent but certain and efficacious. This provides assurance that biblical promises will be fulfilled as certainly as biblical warnings were. The same sovereignty that guaranteed judgment guarantees salvation for the elect in Christ.