Ezekiel Chapter 6 · Verse 10
And they shall know that I am the LORD, and that I have not said in vain that I would do this evil unto them.
Original Language Analysis
וְיָדְע֖וּ
And they shall know
H3045
וְיָדְע֖וּ
And they shall know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
1 of 12
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
2 of 12
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יְהוָ֑ה
that I am the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
that I am the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 12
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לֹ֤א
H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 12
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
דִּבַּ֔רְתִּי
and that I have not said
H1696
דִּבַּ֔רְתִּי
and that I have not said
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
8 of 12
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת
that I would do
H6213
לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת
that I would do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
9 of 12
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Cross References
Jeremiah 44:28Yet a small number that escape the sword shall return out of the land of Egypt into the land of Judah, and all the remnant of Judah, that are gone into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, shall know whose words shall stand, mine, or their's.Daniel 9:12And he hath confirmed his words, which he spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem.
Historical Context
For decades before exile, false prophets promised peace (Jeremiah 6:14; 8:11; 23:17; 28:2-4; Ezekiel 13:10), contradicting true prophets who warned of judgment. Many dismissed Jeremiah and Ezekiel as pessimistic extremists. But when Jerusalem fell exactly as predicted, survivors recognized that true prophets spoke God's word while false prophets spoke their own imagination. The fulfilled prophecy established Ezekiel's credibility for later messages of restoration—if judgment prophecies proved true, restoration promises would likewise be fulfilled. God's word never returns void (Isaiah 55:10-11).
Questions for Reflection
- How does fulfilled prophecy vindicate Scripture's divine origin and reliability?
- What does God's word 'not being in vain' teach about taking biblical warnings seriously?
- How should the certainty of God's promises (both judgment and blessing) shape our lives?
Analysis & Commentary
And they shall know that I am the LORD, and that I have not said in vain that I would do this evil unto them. The recognition formula reappears with addition: not only will they know God's identity but also His word's reliability—"I have not said in vain" (lo-chinam dibarti, לֹא־חִנָּם דִּבַּרְתִּי). Hebrew chinam means "for nothing, without cause, in vain." God's prophetic warnings weren't empty threats or exaggerated rhetoric but certain predictions that must be fulfilled. The phrase "this evil" (hara'ah hazot) refers to the comprehensive judgments just described. When prophecy becomes history, skeptics become believers. Fulfilled prediction vindicates both God's knowledge and His veracity.