Ezekiel 3:25
But thou, O son of man, behold, they shall put bands upon thee, and shall bind thee with them, and thou shalt not go out among them:
Original Language Analysis
בֶן
But thou O son
H1121
בֶן
But thou O son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
2 of 12
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 #:
3 of 12
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
נָתְנ֤וּ
behold they shall put
H5414
נָתְנ֤וּ
behold they shall put
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
5 of 12
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
עָלֶ֙יךָ֙
H5921
עָלֶ֙יךָ֙
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
6 of 12
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
עֲבוֹתִ֔ים
bands
H5688
עֲבוֹתִ֔ים
bands
Strong's:
H5688
Word #:
7 of 12
something intwined, i.e., a string, wreath or foliage
וַֽאֲסָר֖וּךָ
upon thee and shall bind
H631
וַֽאֲסָר֖וּךָ
upon thee and shall bind
Strong's:
H631
Word #:
8 of 12
to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in any sense, to join battle
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
10 of 12
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Historical Context
Prophets in ancient Near East often faced violent opposition. Jeremiah was imprisoned, beaten, and thrown in cisterns. Ezekiel apparently experienced physical restraint from the exile community that rejected his message. The exile context meant limited movement already existed, but this adds spiritual/social binding. God's servants suffer for unpopular messages.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's permission of Ezekiel's binding challenge our assumption that effective ministry requires unlimited freedom?
- What does acceptance of divinely-allowed limitations teach us about finding contentment in restricted circumstances?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The prophecy that people will 'put bands' on Ezekiel, binding him, represents opposition to prophetic ministry. Yet this binding comes with divine permission—'thou shalt not go out among them'—suggesting God sometimes limits ministry scope sovereignly. The restraint may be literal (imprisonment) or metaphorical (ministry restrictions). God's servants must accept imposed limitations as part of divine providence. Effectiveness isn't measured by freedom of movement but faithfulness in assigned sphere.