And he said to me, “Son of man, I send you to the people of Israel, to nations of rebels, who have rebelled against me. They and their fathers have transgressed against me to this very day.
English Standard Version (ESV)
God describes Israel not just as a single "rebellious nation," but as "nations" (plural) who have been rebelling. This highlights that their rebellion is so deep and widespread, it’s almost as if they’ve fractured into separate, disobedient groups, a far cry from the united people God intended them to be.
And he said to me, “Son of man, I send you to the people of Israel, to nations of rebels, who have rebelled against me. They and their fathers have transgressed against me to this very day.
English Standard Version (ESV)
God is commissioning Ezekiel as a prophet, revealing His glory and tasking him with a difficult mission. This verse explicitly states that Ezekiel is being sent to the people of Israel, who are characterized as a deeply rebellious nation, continuing a pattern of defiance that has persisted through generations. The verses immediately following will further elaborate on the prophet's challenging reception by this stiff-necked people.
God's message to Ezekiel isn't exactly warm and fuzzy. He's sent to 'rebellious nations.' What does that say about Israel and God's mission?
God identifies the people of Israel not just as a single 'nation' but as 'rebellious nations.' This isn't a slip of the tongue. It's a profound statement:
A Deepening Rebellion
The use of the plural 'nations' can imply a few things:
God's Persistent Mission
Despite this deeply ingrained rebellion, God still sends a prophet. This highlights God's incredible persistence and his desire to reach His people, even when they've become like the very 'nations' they were meant to be separate from.
Ezekiel is sent to a people whose sin isn't just current; it's deeply rooted in their past. What does this generational rebellion mean for the people and for Ezekiel?
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The verse states, 'they and their fathers have transgressed against me to this very day.' This points to a critical truth about sin and its consequences:
The Unbroken Chain of Sin
Understand the original words
yisra'el · Hebrew Proper Noun
A general term for descendants of Jacob, chosen by God to be His covenant people. It refers to the collective identity of those bound by the Mosaic covenant, despite their frequent unfaithfulness.
marad · Hebrew Noun/Adjective
A term describing those who willfully reject or revolt against divine authority. It denotes an active, defiant posture against God's law and sovereignty.
pasha' · Hebrew Verb
A violation of a law, covenant, or commandment. It represents an act of treason against God’s established order and authority.
The people Ezekiel is sent to are not just generally disobedient; they are heirs to a long legacy of rebellion that led to their current state of exile and national devastation. God's message to them, even in this brokenness, is an act of persistent calling, not abandonment.
c. 931 BC
Kingdom Divides
Following the death of King Solomon, the united kingdom of Israel splits into two: the northern Kingdom of Israel (ten tribes) and the southern Kingdom of Judah (two tribes). This division marks a significant point of national and spiritual fragmentation.
722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom
The Neo-Assyrian Empire conquers the northern Kingdom of Israel, exiling many of its inhabitants and effectively ending its existence as a distinct entity. This event serves as a stark warning to the southern Kingdom of Judah.
597 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon besieges Jerusalem and deports King Jehoiachin and a significant portion of the Judean elite, including many skilled artisans and officials, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
Nebuchadnezzar returns, destroys Jerusalem, its walls, and the First Temple. A further deportation of Judeans to Babylon occurs, leaving only the poorest to till the land. This event solidifies the exile and deepens the sense of national crisis.
c. 593 BC— this verse
Ezekiel's Call to Prophesy
Ezekiel, already in exile in Babylon, receives his prophetic commission from God. He is charged with delivering a message to the scattered and rebellious Israelites, both in exile and those who remained in Judah.
539 BC
Cyrus the Great Conquers Babylon
The Persian Empire, led by Cyrus the Great, conquers Babylon. This event sets the stage for the eventual return of the exiles to Jerusalem, though the restoration process will be long and challenging.
This passage echoes Ezekiel's message by confessing the people's shame and rebellion, acknowledging that both they and their ancestors have sinned against the Lord, highlighting the deep-rooted nature of their disobedience.
Hosea 1:9This verse directly addresses the concept of Israel being estranged from God, calling them 'not my people'—a parallel to Ezekiel being sent to a 'rebellious nation' that had effectively become estranged through their persistent rebellion.
Isaiah 6:9-10This passage describes a similar divine commission where the prophet is sent to a people with hardened hearts and closed ears, emphasizing the difficult and often unfruitful nature of prophetic ministry to a rebellious generation, just as Ezekiel experienced.
Acts 7:51Stephen's powerful speech recounts Israel's history of rebellion against the Holy Spirit and the prophets, mirroring Ezekiel's charge that Israel and their fathers had continually transgressed against God.
barnesEzekiel 2:3: "And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day."
Nation - literally, as in the margin - the word which usually distinguishes the pagan from God's people. Here it expresses that Israel is cast off by God; and the plural is used to denote that the children of Israel are not even "one nation," but scattered and disunited. Translat…
pulpitEzekiel 2:3: "And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day."
Verse 3. - To a rebellious nation; literally, with Revised Version, nations that are rebellious. The Hebrew word (goim) is that used elsewhere for "heathen" and that may be its sense here. As in Ezekiel 28:22. Judah and Israel may be thought of as having fallen to the level of th…
God describes Israel not just as a single "rebellious nation," but as "nations" (plural) who have been rebelling. This highlights that their rebellion is so deep and widespread, it’s almost as if they’ve fractured into separate, disobedient groups, a far cry from the united people God intended them to be.
God is commissioning Ezekiel as a prophet, revealing His glory and tasking him with a difficult mission. This verse explicitly states that Ezekiel is being sent to the people of Israel, who are characterized as a deeply rebellious nation, continuing a pattern of defiance that has persisted through generations. The verses immediately following will further elaborate on the prophet's challenging reception by this stiff-necked people.
God is commissioning Ezekiel as a prophet, revealing His glory and tasking him with a difficult mission. This verse explicitly states that Ezekiel is being sent to the people of Israel, who are characterized as a deeply rebellious nation, continuing a pattern of defiance that has persisted through generations. The verses immediately following will further elaborate on the prophet's challenging reception by this stiff-necked people.
"And he said to me, “Son of man, I send you to the people of Israel, to nations of rebels, who have rebelled against me. They and their fathers have transgressed against me to this very day." — God describes Israel not just as a single "rebellious nation," but as "nations" (plural) who have been rebelling. This highlights that their rebellion is so deep and widespread, it’s almost as if the…
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Last reviewed October 2026