Ezekiel 2:6
And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.
Original Language Analysis
בֶן
And thou son
H1121
בֶן
And thou son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
2 of 27
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אָ֠דָם
of man
H120
אָ֠דָם
of man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
3 of 27
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
4 of 27
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּירָא֙
be not afraid
H3372
תִּירָא֙
be not afraid
Strong's:
H3372
Word #:
5 of 27
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
מִדִּבְרֵיהֶ֤ם
of their words
H1697
מִדִּבְרֵיהֶ֤ם
of their words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
7 of 27
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
8 of 27
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּירָא֙
be not afraid
H3372
תִּירָא֙
be not afraid
Strong's:
H3372
Word #:
9 of 27
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
10 of 27
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אוֹתָ֔ךְ
H854
אוֹתָ֔ךְ
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
13 of 27
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
עַקְרַבִּ֖ים
among scorpions
H6137
עַקְרַבִּ֖ים
among scorpions
Strong's:
H6137
Word #:
15 of 27
a scorpion; figuratively, a scourge or knotted whip
יוֹשֵׁ֑ב
be with thee and thou dost dwell
H3427
יוֹשֵׁ֑ב
be with thee and thou dost dwell
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
17 of 27
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
מִדִּבְרֵיהֶ֤ם
of their words
H1697
מִדִּבְרֵיהֶ֤ם
of their words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
18 of 27
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
19 of 27
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּירָא֙
be not afraid
H3372
תִּירָא֙
be not afraid
Strong's:
H3372
Word #:
20 of 27
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
וּמִפְּנֵיהֶ֣ם
at their looks
H6440
וּמִפְּנֵיהֶ֣ם
at their looks
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
21 of 27
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
22 of 27
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תֵּחָ֔ת
nor be dismayed
H2865
תֵּחָ֔ת
nor be dismayed
Strong's:
H2865
Word #:
23 of 27
properly, to prostrate; hence, to break down, either (literally) by violence, or (figuratively) by confusion and fear
כִּ֛י
H3588
כִּ֛י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
24 of 27
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בֵּ֥ית
house
H1004
בֵּ֥ית
house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
25 of 27
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
Cross References
Jeremiah 1:8Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.Isaiah 51:12I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass;1 Peter 3:14But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;2 Timothy 1:7For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.Luke 10:19Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.Jeremiah 1:17Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them.Micah 7:4The best of them is as a brier: the most upright is sharper than a thorn hedge: the day of thy watchmen and thy visitation cometh; now shall be their perplexity.Matthew 10:28And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.Jeremiah 18:18Then said they, Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.Micah 3:8But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the LORD, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin.
Historical Context
Prophets in ancient Israel faced severe persecution. Jeremiah was imprisoned, beaten, and thrown into cisterns. Zechariah was stoned. Tradition holds that Isaiah was sawn in two. Elijah fled Jezebel's murderous rage. Ezekiel would experience mockery, threats, and social ostracism from his own people. The imagery of briars, thorns, and scorpions reflects the painful reality of ministry among rebellious Israel. Despite dangers, God's command to speak His words without fear demonstrates that divine authority trumps human opposition. The exiled community's hardness made Ezekiel's ministry particularly hazardous.
Questions for Reflection
- What "briars, thorns, and scorpions" do you face in faithfully proclaiming God's truth?
- How does the fear of God practically overcome the fear of human opposition in your life?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God commands Ezekiel four times: "be not afraid" of briars, thorns, scorpions, or their words. The metaphors describe hostile opposition—physical danger and verbal persecution. This divine commission requires courage grounded in God's presence, not human bravery. The repetition emphasizes the natural fearfulness of prophetic ministry and the supernatural courage required. Jesus echoes this in Matthew 10:28: "Fear not them which kill the body." The fear of God expels the fear of man; when we stand before the Holy One, human threats lose their power. Reformed theology emphasizes that God's calling includes His sustaining grace.