Ezekiel Chapter 20 · Verse 3
Son of man, speak unto the elders of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Are ye come to enquire of me? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be enquired of by you.
Original Language Analysis
בֶּן
Son
H1121
בֶּן
Son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
1 of 24
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אָדָ֗ם
of man
H120
אָדָ֗ם
of man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
2 of 24
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
דַּבֵּ֞ר
speak
H1696
דַּבֵּ֞ר
speak
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
3 of 24
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
6 of 24
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
כֹּ֤ה
H3541
כֹּ֤ה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
9 of 24
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוִ֔ה
H3068
יְהוִ֔ה
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
12 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אִדָּרֵ֣שׁ
I will not be enquired
H1875
אִדָּרֵ֣שׁ
I will not be enquired
Strong's:
H1875
Word #:
13 of 24
properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship
אֹתִ֖י
H853
אֹתִ֖י
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בָּאִ֑ים
Are ye come
H935
בָּאִ֑ים
Are ye come
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
16 of 24
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
חַי
of me As I live
H2416
חַי
of me As I live
Strong's:
H2416
Word #:
17 of 24
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
19 of 24
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
אִדָּרֵ֣שׁ
I will not be enquired
H1875
אִדָּרֵ֣שׁ
I will not be enquired
Strong's:
H1875
Word #:
20 of 24
properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship
Historical Context
This echoes other instances where God refused to answer due to sin: Saul consulting Samuel's spirit (1 Samuel 28), God's silence to Saul (1 Samuel 28:6), and refusal to hear Israel's prayers (Isaiah 1:15, Jeremiah 11:11). Unconfessed sin blocks communion with God.
Questions for Reflection
- What attitudes or sins block our prayers and seeking God?
- How do we move from religious formality to genuine repentance that opens communication with God?
Analysis & Commentary
'Son of man, speak unto the elders of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Are ye come to enquire of me? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be enquired of by you.' God's shocking refusal to answer. The oath formula 'As I live' emphasizes certainty. 'I will not be enquired of by you' rejects their consultation. The reason becomes clear in subsequent verses: persistent idolatry makes their inquiry hypocritical. God won't play along with religious pretense while they harbor rebellion.