Ezekiel 33:7
So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.
Original Language Analysis
בֶן
So thou O son
H1121
בֶן
So thou O son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
2 of 13
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אָדָ֔ם
of man
H120
אָדָ֔ם
of man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
3 of 13
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
צֹפֶ֥ה
thee a watchman
H6822
צֹפֶ֥ה
thee a watchman
Strong's:
H6822
Word #:
4 of 13
properly, to lean forward, i.e., to peer into the distance; by implication, to observe, await
נְתַתִּ֖יךָ
I have set
H5414
נְתַתִּ֖יךָ
I have set
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
5 of 13
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
לְבֵ֣ית
unto the house
H1004
לְבֵ֣ית
unto the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
6 of 13
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
7 of 13
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וְשָׁמַעְתָּ֤
therefore thou shalt hear
H8085
וְשָׁמַעְתָּ֤
therefore thou shalt hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
8 of 13
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
מִפִּי֙
at my mouth
H6310
מִפִּי֙
at my mouth
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
9 of 13
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
דָּבָ֔ר
the word
H1697
דָּבָ֔ר
the word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
10 of 13
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
Cross References
Jeremiah 26:2Thus saith the LORD; Stand in the court of the LORD'S house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the LORD'S house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word:Acts 5:20Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.Hebrews 13:17Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.Jeremiah 1:17Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them.Isaiah 62:6I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence,Song of Solomon 5:7The watchmen that went about the city found me, they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the walls took away my veil from me.Acts 20:20And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,Jeremiah 23:28The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD.Jeremiah 6:27I have set thee for a tower and a fortress among my people, that thou mayest know and try their way.Jeremiah 31:6For there shall be a day, that the watchmen upon the mount Ephraim shall cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the LORD our God.
Historical Context
This renewal of watchman commission (585 BC) followed Jerusalem's destruction, a traumatic validation of Ezekiel's previous warnings. The survivors and exiles needed continued prophetic guidance for responding to judgment and anticipating restoration. God's "I have set thee" emphasizes divine calling, not human ambition. True ministers are called by God, not self-appointed. This shaped Reformed polity's emphasis on divine calling confirmed by the church. The watchman metaphor continued influencing Christian ministry—pastors as shepherds responsible for flock's spiritual safety.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the sequence—hearing from God then warning others—shape proper ministerial practice?
- What distinguishes divinely called ministry from self-appointed religious activism?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
"So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me." God personally commissions Ezekiel as watchman, establishing divine authority for his warnings. The phrase "hear the word at my mouth" emphasizes receiving revelation directly from God before transmitting it. Ministers don't invent messages but faithfully relay what God reveals. The Reformed principle of ministerial authority appears: pastors have authority only insofar as they speak God's Word faithfully. Their authority is derivative and ministerial, not magisterial or independent.