Ezekiel Chapter 3 · Verse 6
Not to many people of a strange speech and of an hard language, whose words thou canst not understand. Surely, had I sent thee to them, they would have hearkened unto thee.
Original Language Analysis
לֹ֣א׀
H3808
לֹ֣א׀
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
עַמִּ֣ים
people
H5971
עַמִּ֣ים
people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
3 of 19
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
רַבִּ֗ים
Not to many
H7227
רַבִּ֗ים
Not to many
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
4 of 19
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
שָׂפָה֙
speech
H8193
שָׂפָה֙
speech
Strong's:
H8193
Word #:
6 of 19
the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
וְכִבְדֵ֣י
and of an hard
H3515
וְכִבְדֵ֣י
and of an hard
Strong's:
H3515
Word #:
7 of 19
heavy; figuratively in a good sense (numerous) or in a bad sense (severe, difficult, stupid)
לָשׁ֔וֹן
language
H3956
לָשׁ֔וֹן
language
Strong's:
H3956
Word #:
8 of 19
the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame,
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
9 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
10 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִשְׁמְע֥וּ
thee to them they would have hearkened
H8085
יִשְׁמְע֥וּ
thee to them they would have hearkened
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
11 of 19
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
דִּבְרֵיהֶ֑ם
whose words
H1697
דִּבְרֵיהֶ֑ם
whose words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
12 of 19
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
13 of 19
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
לֹ֤א
H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
14 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שְׁלַחְתִּ֔יךָ
Surely had I sent
H7971
שְׁלַחְתִּ֔יךָ
Surely had I sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
16 of 19
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
Historical Context
The comparison (593 BC) between Israel and foreigners echoed earlier prophetic themes. Jonah's Ninevites repented at preaching; Israel resisted centuries of prophets. Jesus repeated this: the Queen of Sheba and Ninevites will condemn Israel's generation (Matthew 12:41-42). The early church's Gentile responsiveness versus Jewish resistance fulfilled this pattern. The principle warns against presuming on covenant privilege while neglecting genuine faith. External advantages mean nothing without Spirit-wrought conversion.
Questions for Reflection
- How does comparing Israel unfavorably with pagans challenge assumptions about religious privilege?
- What does Gentile receptivity versus Jewish resistance teach about sovereign grace transcending heritage?
Analysis & Commentary
"Not to many people of a strange speech and of an hard language, whose words thou canst not understand. Surely, had I sent thee to them, they would have hearkened unto thee." God asserts that foreigners would prove more receptive than covenant Israel. This shocking statement indicts Israel's hard-heartedness despite extraordinary privileges. Greater revelation brings greater responsibility and, when rejected, greater judgment. This principle appears in Jesus' ministry: Gentiles often demonstrated greater faith than Jews (Matthew 8:10). Grace doesn't depend on heritage but sovereign election.