Ezekiel 20:1
And it came to pass in the seventh year, in the fifth month, the tenth day of the month, that certain of the elders of Israel came to enquire of the LORD, and sat before me.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִ֣י׀
H1961
וַיְהִ֣י׀
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 15
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בֶּעָשׂ֣וֹר
month the tenth
H6218
בֶּעָשׂ֣וֹר
month the tenth
Strong's:
H6218
Word #:
5 of 15
ten; by abbreviated form ten strings, and so a decachord
אֲנָשִׁ֛ים
that certain
H582
אֲנָשִׁ֛ים
that certain
Strong's:
H582
Word #:
8 of 15
properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
10 of 15
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
לִדְרֹ֣שׁ
to enquire
H1875
לִדְרֹ֣שׁ
to enquire
Strong's:
H1875
Word #:
11 of 15
properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוָ֑ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
13 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
Ezekiel 8:1And it came to pass in the sixth year, in the sixth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I sat in mine house, and the elders of Judah sat before me, that the hand of the Lord GOD fell there upon me.Ezekiel 40:1In the five and twentieth year of our captivity, in the beginning of the year, in the tenth day of the month, in the fourteenth year after that the city was smitten, in the selfsame day the hand of the LORD was upon me, and brought me thither.Ezekiel 26:1And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the first day of the month, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,Ezekiel 29:17And it came to pass in the seven and twentieth year, in the first month, in the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,Ezekiel 29:1In the tenth year, in the tenth month, in the twelfth day of the month, the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,Ezekiel 31:1And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the third month, in the first day of the month, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,Ezekiel 32:1And it came to pass in the twelfth year, in the twelfth month, in the first day of the month, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,Ezekiel 24:1Again in the ninth year, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,Ezekiel 1:2In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin's captivity,Ezekiel 30:20And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the first month, in the seventh day of the month, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
Historical Context
This was six years into Ezekiel's ministry and five years after the first deportation (597 BC). The elders still hoped for Jerusalem's deliverance and quick return from exile. They sought prophetic reassurance while continuing in idolatry—wanting God's blessing without repentance.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we sometimes seek God's guidance while clinging to sin?
- What does God's refusal to answer teach about the prerequisites for divine consultation?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
'And it came to pass in the seventh year, in the fifth month, the tenth day of the month, that certain of the elders of Israel came to enquire of the LORD, and sat before me.' Precise dating (August 591 BC) marks this as a significant prophetic moment. Elders come to 'enquire of the LORD' (darash YHWH) through Ezekiel, seeking divine guidance. Their sitting before the prophet indicates formal consultation. However, God will refuse to be inquired of because of their persistent idolatry.