Ezekiel 12:26-28
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This seemingly simple phrase, "Again the word of the Lord came to me," isn't just a filler; it emphasizes God's persistent communication despite the people's scoffing. It highlights that even when people dismiss prophecy as distant or irrelevant, God continues to speak His truth, often more directly and urgently in response to their unbelief.
And the word of the LORD came to me: “Son of man, behold, they of the house of Israel say, ‘The vision that he sees is for many days from now, and he prophesies of times far off.’ Therefore say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: None of my words will be delayed any longer, but the word that I speak will be performed, declares the Lord GOD.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The people are scoffing at Ezekiel's prophecies, convinced that the dire warnings of judgment are not for their lifetime. They believe the prophecies are just tales that won't come true anytime soon, possibly even after they're gone. So, the LORD speaks to Ezekiel again, emphasizing that His word is true and the judgment will happen in their days.
The people heard Ezekiel's warnings, but they twisted them to fit their own comfortable timeline. Did they misunderstand God's message, or deliberately ignore it?
A Delayed Judgment?
The people of Ezekiel's day heard his prophecies of doom, but they weren't convinced. Their favorite saying was, 'The visions of this man are for distant days; he prophesies of times far off!' (Ezekiel 12:27).
This shows a common human tendency: to push away uncomfortable truths, especially those that threaten our present comfort. They saw prophecy as absolute, unchangeable predictions.
But true prophecy, from God, is often conditional. God’s warnings are designed to lead to repentance. Like a loving parent who warns a child of danger, God’s threats are an invitation to turn back before the disaster strikes. He desires mercy over judgment.
The Danger of Delay
However, this can be a dangerous path. Believing judgment is always far off can lead to a false sense of security, hardening hearts instead of softening them. It allows people to continue in sin, assuming they have plenty of time to amend their ways later.
Why does God keep speaking, especially when people aren't listening? Discover the profound significance of His repeated messages.
The Lord Speaks... Again
The phrase 'Again the word of the LORD came to me' isn't just a transition; it's a testament to God's faithfulness and persistence. Even as people mocked and disregarded His prophet, God continued to speak.
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This repetition serves several vital purposes:
Responding to the Word
Ezekiel's situation highlights that receiving God's word is one thing; obeying it is another. The people heard, but they responded with scorn and dismissal. God's word, however, remains active and powerful, whether acknowledged or not. His speaking is an act of love, calling His people back to Himself, even in the face of their rebellion.
Understand the original words
dabar · Hebrew Noun
The communicative expression of God's will, purpose, or revelation to humanity. It represents God's authoritative truth and creative power.
ben 'adam · Hebrew Noun phrase
The title used by God to address the prophet Ezekiel, emphasizing his humanity and frailty in contrast to God's divine transcendence. It highlights the prophet's role as a representative of humanity before God.
chazon · Hebrew Noun
A divine revelation, message, or prophetic insight given by God to His prophets. It often refers to a supernatural sight or communicative encounter with the divine reality.
niba' · Hebrew Verb
To declare a message from God; to speak under divine inspiration regarding future events, present spiritual realities, or moral instruction.
Adonay YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun phrase
The Sovereign LORD; a compound title emphasizing God's absolute authority, lordship, and covenant relationship with His people. It signifies the divine One to whom all honor and obedience are due.
asah · Hebrew Verb
To accomplish, fulfill, or bring to completion what has been spoken or intended. It signifies God's faithfulness in ensuring His promises and threats come to pass in history.
The people in Ezekiel's day, facing the brutal reality of conquest and exile, often dismissed prophetic warnings as distant possibilities. This timeline shows how the devastating fall of Jerusalem and the Temple, events that seemed unthinkable to many, were historical realities that directly impacted the audience and lent urgency to Ezekiel's message.
c. 597 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
King Jehoiachin and thousands of Jewish leaders and skilled workers, including Ezekiel, are taken captive to Babylon. This event marks a significant weakening of Judah's sovereignty.
c. 594 BC
Nebuchadnezzar Suppresses Revolt
Babylonian forces put down a rebellion in Judah, further tightening control and demonstrating Nebuchadnezzar's resolve to maintain order in his empire.
c. 588 BC
Siege of Jerusalem Begins
Nebuchadnezzar lays siege to Jerusalem after Zedekiah's rebellion, initiating a prolonged period of suffering and destruction for the city.
c. 587/586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction
The Babylonians breach Jerusalem's walls, destroy Solomon's Temple, and carry off most of the remaining population into exile. This catastrophic event fulfills many prophecies of judgment.
c. 586 BC onwards
Continued Exile and Prophecy
Ezekiel continues to prophesy to the exiles in Babylon, addressing their despair, their ongoing skepticism, and the future restoration of Israel.
This passage echoes Ezekiel's experience, showing that the 'word of the LORD' coming to a prophet was the fundamental way God's message was delivered and confirmed.
Isaiah 5:18-19This passage highlights how people in Isaiah's time, much like those Ezekiel addresses, would mockingly challenge prophetic warnings about judgment, questioning when or if God's word would actually come to pass.
Habakkuk 2:3This verse directly addresses the impatience of those who found the prophetic word too slow, reinforcing the theme that God's promises and judgments, though they may tarry, will certainly come to pass.
Luke 1:19This verse shows that angelic messengers, like the 'word of the LORD' coming to Ezekiel, served as divine messengers, emphasizing the authoritative and direct nature of God's communication.
1 Kings 17:8This passage demonstrates a similar prophetic formula, 'The word of the LORD came to him,' highlighting the consistent pattern of God initiating communication with His prophets to convey His will and future plans.
cambridgeEzekiel 12:26: "Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying,"
26–28 . If others did not go so far as to disregard prophecy altogether, they concluded that the prophecies bore reference to the future, and that the judgments threatened would not come in their day ( Isaiah 39:8 ). This also was an inference not unnatural. The prophecies of the true prophets were moral and designed even when threatening to turn men away from their sins, and thus in a manner to frustrate their own fulfilment. They…
pooleEzekiel 12:26: "Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying,"
Again; for instructing some that were seduced by those scoffers forementioned.
This seemingly simple phrase, "Again the word of the Lord came to me," isn't just a filler; it emphasizes God's persistent communication despite the people's scoffing. It highlights that even when people dismiss prophecy as distant or irrelevant, God continues to speak His truth, often more directly and urgently in response to their unbelief.
The people are scoffing at Ezekiel's prophecies, convinced that the dire warnings of judgment are not for their lifetime. They believe the prophecies are just tales that won't come true anytime soon, possibly even after they're gone. So, the LORD speaks to Ezekiel again, emphasizing that His word is true and the judgment will happen in their days.
The people are scoffing at Ezekiel's prophecies, convinced that the dire warnings of judgment are not for their lifetime. They believe the prophecies are just tales that won't come true anytime soon, possibly even after they're gone. So, the LORD speaks to Ezekiel again, emphasizing that His word is true and the judgment will happen in their days.
"And the word of the LORD came to me: “Son of man, behold, they of the house of Israel say, ‘The vision that he sees is for many days from now, and he prophesies of times far off.’ Therefore say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: None of my w…" — This seemingly simple phrase, "Again the word of the Lord came to me," isn't just a filler; it emphasizes God's persistent communication despite the people's scoffing. It highlights that even when pe…
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Last reviewed October 2026
