“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.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
The people aren't just saying Ezekiel's visions are distant; they're using that distance as an excuse to ignore God's warning and continue in their sin. They acknowledge the prophecy but treat it as irrelevant for their present lives, a dangerous form of denial that paralyzes them from seeking true peace.
“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.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
The people of Israel are dismissing Ezekiel's prophetic visions, claiming they are for some distant future and don't apply to their present reality. This verse captures their casual disregard for the impending judgment, a stark contrast to the urgency God is trying to convey through Ezekiel. They acknowledge the prophecies but push them far away, believing they have plenty of time before any consequences arrive.
Have you ever heard someone say, "Don't worry, that's not going to happen for a long, long time"? This is an ancient tactic to avoid facing uncomfortable truths.
In Ezekiel's day, the people of Israel were hearing dire prophecies about judgment. But instead of heeding the warning, they chose to dismiss it.
A Convenient Excuse
They told themselves and others, "The vision that he sees is for many days from now, and he prophesies of times far off." This wasn't outright denial of God's power or Ezekiel's prophetic gift. They acknowledged the 'vision' and the 'prophecy.' Their strategy was to simply delay its relevance.
Why It's Dangerous
This mindset allows people to remain comfortable in their sin, believing they have plenty of time to change or deal with the consequences later. It's a form of spiritual procrastination, and it leads to a false sense of security. God's justice, while patient, is not infinitely postponed.
There's a huge difference between believing God's promises for the future and lazily assuming His warnings don't apply to you, right now.
The people in Ezekiel's time weren't just looking forward; they were using the future as a shield against present reality.
A Caricature of Faith
Their statement, "he prophecies of times that are far off," sounds almost reasonable on the surface. It hints at a belief that prophecies come true, just not on their schedule. But this isn't faith; it's a denial of God's immediate sovereignty and a refusal to acknowledge their own accountability.
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The True Response
Genuine faith doesn't measure God's timing by human convenience. It trusts that God's word is true, whether the fulfillment is imminent or distant. It calls for readiness and repentance now, not a deferral of responsibility.
Understand the original words
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.
The people in exile, hearing Ezekiel's pronouncements of doom, dismissed them as belonging to a distant future, a common coping mechanism for those unwilling to face the harsh reality of their present situation and the imminent destruction of Jerusalem.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
King Jehoiakim of Judah and many prominent citizens are deported to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar II. This event marks the beginning of the Judean exile and Daniel's time in Babylon.
597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
King Jehoiachin and another large group of Judeans, including the prophet Ezekiel, are exiled to Babylon. The Temple in Jerusalem is still standing, but the kingdom is significantly weakened.
c. 593 BC
Ezekiel's First Vision
Ezekiel receives his initial prophetic visions in Babylon, calling him to ministry. These visions often concern the impending judgment on Jerusalem and the Temple.
588-586 BC— this verse
Siege and Fall of Jerusalem
Nebuchadnezzar II besieges Jerusalem. After a prolonged siege, the city falls, the Temple is destroyed, and most of the remaining population is exiled to Babylon.
c. 586 BC
Ezekiel Prophesies During Siege
While Jerusalem is under siege and its destruction is imminent, Ezekiel delivers messages of judgment and future hope to the exiles in Babylon. Some exiles resist his prophecies, viewing them as distant and irrelevant.
This passage echoes the same complacent dismissal of prophetic warnings, where people believe themselves safe because the day of judgment is perceived as distant.
Luke 21:7-8Here, Jesus' disciples ask about the timing of the temple's destruction, and Jesus warns them not to be led astray by those who claim 'the time is near' or 'it has already come,' highlighting the human tendency to misinterpret or dismiss signs of divine judgment.
2 Peter 3:3-4This New Testament passage directly addresses mockers who deny Christ's return because 'all things continue as they were from the beginning,' mirroring the very skepticism Ezekiel faced about the immediacy of God's actions.
Matthew 24:48-49Jesus tells a parable about a wicked servant who, believing his master is delayed, begins to act cruelly towards others, illustrating the danger of assuming a prophecy or judgment is far off, leading to complacency and further sin.
pooleEzekiel 12:27: "Son of man, behold, they of the house of Israel say, The vision that he seeth is for many days to come, and he prophesieth of the times that are far off."
Some of the less judicious and the more credulous are abused by these sort of men. Say; think, and hope, and so discourse it, that the prophet is a good man and true prophet, but surely his visions look to after-times; we do not think his visions vain, but we hope they are not to come on us, and in our days. Now these God will…
gillEzekiel 12:27: "Son of man, behold, they of the house of Israel say, The vision that he seeth is for many days to come, and he prophesieth of the times that are far off."
Son of man, behold, they of the house of Israel say,.... Either they of the ten tribes in Babylon, or the Jews in Judea, who were also Israelites: these the Lord directs the prophet to take notice of, and be a witness of what they said; since he himself, as a prophet, was concerned in it: the vision that he seeth is for many d…
The people aren't just saying Ezekiel's visions are distant; they're using that distance as an excuse to ignore God's warning and continue in their sin. They acknowledge the prophecy but treat it as irrelevant for their present lives, a dangerous form of denial that paralyzes them from seeking true peace.
The people of Israel are dismissing Ezekiel's prophetic visions, claiming they are for some distant future and don't apply to their present reality. This verse captures their casual disregard for the impending judgment, a stark contrast to the urgency God is trying to convey through Ezekiel. They acknowledge the prophecies but push them far away, believing they have plenty of time before any consequences arrive.
The people of Israel are dismissing Ezekiel's prophetic visions, claiming they are for some distant future and don't apply to their present reality. This verse captures their casual disregard for the impending judgment, a stark contrast to the urgency God is trying to convey through Ezekiel. They acknowledge the prophecies but push them far away, believing they have plenty of time before any consequences arrive.
"“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.’" — The people aren't just saying Ezekiel's visions are distant; they're using that distance as an excuse to ignore God's warning and continue in their sin. They acknowledge the prophecy but treat it as…
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Last reviewed October 2026