Ezekiel 3:10

Authorized King James Version

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Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, all my words that I shall speak unto thee receive in thine heart, and hear with thine ears.

Original Language Analysis

וַיֹּ֖אמֶר Moreover he said H559
וַיֹּ֖אמֶר Moreover he said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 1 of 14
to say (used with great latitude)
אֵלָ֑י H413
אֵלָ֑י
Strong's: H413
Word #: 2 of 14
near, with or among; often in general, to
בֶּן unto me Son H1121
בֶּן unto me Son
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 3 of 14
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אָדָ֕ם of man H120
אָדָ֕ם of man
Strong's: H120
Word #: 4 of 14
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 5 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 6 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
דְּבָרַי֙ all my words H1697
דְּבָרַי֙ all my words
Strong's: H1697
Word #: 7 of 14
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אֲשֶׁ֣ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 8 of 14
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אֲדַבֵּ֣ר that I shall speak H1696
אֲדַבֵּ֣ר that I shall speak
Strong's: H1696
Word #: 9 of 14
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
אֵלֶ֔יךָ H413
אֵלֶ֔יךָ
Strong's: H413
Word #: 10 of 14
near, with or among; often in general, to
קַ֥ח unto thee receive H3947
קַ֥ח unto thee receive
Strong's: H3947
Word #: 11 of 14
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
בִּֽלְבָבְךָ֖ in thine heart H3824
בִּֽלְבָבְךָ֖ in thine heart
Strong's: H3824
Word #: 12 of 14
the heart (as the most interior organ)
וּבְאָזְנֶ֥יךָ with thine ears H241
וּבְאָזְנֶ֥יךָ with thine ears
Strong's: H241
Word #: 13 of 14
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
שְׁמָֽע׃ and hear H8085
שְׁמָֽע׃ and hear
Strong's: H8085
Word #: 14 of 14
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

Analysis & Commentary

"Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, all my words that I shall speak unto thee receive in thine heart, and hear with thine ears." God commands comprehensive reception—both heart and ears. Intellectual apprehension alone is insufficient; truth must penetrate the heart. This emphasizes that knowing God's Word requires more than academic study—it demands personal application and transformation. The sequence matters: first receive internally, then proclaim externally. Ministers must embody truth before teaching others. The Reformed emphasis on heart knowledge versus mere head knowledge appears.

Historical Context

Ezekiel's commission (593 BC) required total absorption of God's message. Prophets couldn't merely memorize words externally but must internalize them deeply. This shaped prophetic authenticity—speaking from conviction, not mere repetition. The principle applies to all gospel ministry: preachers must first receive truth transformatively before proclaiming it authoritatively. Personal spiritual vitality precedes effective ministry.

Questions for Reflection

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