Ezekiel 20:1-3
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Even though these elders came to inquire of the Lord, the phrasing "sat before me" implies they were more seeking validation than genuinely seeking God's will. They wanted Ezekiel to confirm their hopes, not to hear a potentially difficult truth.
In the seventh year, in the fifth month, on the tenth day of the month, certain of the elders of Israel came to inquire of the LORD, and sat before me. And the word of the LORD came to me: “Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel, and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD, Is it to inquire of me that you come? As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I will not be inquired of by you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
A group of elders, fellow exiles from Judah, has come to Ezekiel, seeking a word from the Lord. It's been some time since his call to prophesy, and likely they hoped for news of deliverance, perhaps even expecting a message of speedy restoration as other prophets might have given. However, God is about to reveal a much harder truth, starting with a scathing indictment of their ancestors' persistent rebellion, a pattern that continues to haunt their present.
When life feels like it's falling apart, who do you turn to? For the exiles in Babylon, this question hit hard.
The elders of Israel arrived at Ezekiel’s door in a time of immense national crisis. They were living in the seventh year of their captivity, a period marked by devastation and uncertainty. Jerusalem had already fallen, and the hope of return seemed distant. These weren't just ordinary folks; they were elders, leaders who bore the weight of their people's future. Their coming to Ezekiel wasn't about personal gain, but about understanding God's will for their nation and seeking a word of hope or direction in their darkest hour. They likely hoped Ezekiel would deliver a message of imminent restoration, as some other prophets were promising.
This highlights a crucial aspect of leadership and faith: when facing overwhelming circumstances, people naturally look for answers and guidance from those they believe are closest to God. The elders, despite their nation's repeated failures, still sought divine counsel, showing a flicker of hope or perhaps a desperate plea for clarity.
Why did these elders 'sit before' Ezekiel? It wasn't just casual seating – it was a posture of expectation and reverence.
The text states the elders 'sat before me.' This wasn't a casual encounter. Sitting before a prophet in ancient Israel was a significant act, often signifying a readiness to listen, to receive instruction, and to wait for God's message. It implied a formal delegation, a serious purpose.
For Ezekiel, this meant he was in his prophetic role, a spokesperson for God. The elders came to him, recognizing him as the one through whom the LORD might speak. They presented themselves before him, ready to receive whatever divine word he was commissioned to deliver. This posture also suggests the elders came with an unspoken question, a crisis that weighed heavily on their hearts, and they were waiting for Ezekiel to 'hear' from the Lord on their behalf.
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Understand the original words
zaqen · Hebrew Noun
Title of honor or office given to the leaders of the tribes, clans, or families in Israel; they were responsible for the community's governance, judicial matters, and religious adherence.
YHWH · Hebrew Noun
A covenantal title for the God of Israel, YHWH, highlighting His self-existence, eternal nature, and faithfulness to His people; it is the name by which He revealed Himself to Moses.
ben 'adam · Hebrew Noun phrase
Prophetic title used by God to address Ezekiel, emphasizing his humanity and fragility in contrast to the divine majesty of the one speaking to him.
Adonai YHWH · Hebrew Noun phrase
Literally 'Lord YHWH'; this compound title emphasizes God’s absolute sovereignty, lordship, and authority over all creation and His people.
The elders approach Ezekiel seeking reassurance, likely hoping for news of a swift return. Instead, God uses this moment to confront them with the deep-seated reasons for their exile, tracing their rebellion back to Egypt. This context highlights the profound disconnect between the people's desires and God's justice.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation of Jerusalem
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, captures Jerusalem and deports many of its prominent citizens, including members of the royal family and skilled workers, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of Judah's Babylonian exile.
597 BC
Second Deportation of Jerusalem
Nebuchadnezzar deports King Jehoiachin, his court, and thousands more Judeans to Babylon. The prophet Ezekiel is among this group, beginning his ministry in exile.
August 590 BC— this verse
Elders Seek Guidance
Certain elders of the Jewish exiles in Babylon approach Ezekiel, seeking a message from the LORD. This occurs seven years after the deportation of Jehoiachin.
588 BC
Siege of Jerusalem Begins
Nebuchadnezzar's armies lay siege to Jerusalem, intensifying the suffering and uncertainty for those in exile and those remaining in the city.
587/586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
Jerusalem is destroyed, the Temple is burned, and the remaining population is largely exiled to Babylon. This catastrophic event shatters any remaining hopes of immediate return.
This passage speaks to a similar context of exiles in Babylon inquiring about their future, receiving a message of hope for restoration after a set period, much like the elders approaching Ezekiel.
Ezekiel 14:1-5This earlier encounter involves elders coming to Ezekiel to inquire of the Lord, highlighting a recurring pattern of seeking divine counsel during their exile and God's response to their seeking.
2 Kings 22:14-20When the elders of Judah, represented by Hilkiah and others, sought the Lord concerning the discovered Law, they received a message from God through the prophetess Huldah that spoke of judgment but also future restoration.
Psalm 78:1-7This psalm functions as a teaching to the next generation, recounting the history of Israel's faithfulness and unfaithfulness, much like Ezekiel is commissioned to do, emphasizing the importance of remembering God's past actions.
ellicottEzekiel 20:1: "And it came to pass in the seventh year, in the fifth month, the tenth day of the month, that certain of the elders of Israel came to inquire of the LORD, and sat before me."
(1) Came to enquire. —It does not appear that the elders actually proposed their enquiry. It doubtless had relation not to personal affairs, but to the welfare of the nation, and in this prophecy the Lord meets their unspoken question.
cambridgeEzekiel 20:1: "And it came to pass in the seventh year, in the fifth month, the tenth day of the month, that certain of the elders of Israel came to inquire of the LORD, and sat before me."
1–4 . Introductory. Certain elders came to the prophet to enquire of the Lord, in the seventh year of the captivity of Jehoiachin and tenth day of the fifth month—Aug. 590 b.c., four years before Jerusalem fell.
Even though these elders came to inquire of the Lord, the phrasing "sat before me" implies they were more seeking validation than genuinely seeking God's will. They wanted Ezekiel to confirm their hopes, not to hear a potentially difficult truth.
A group of elders, fellow exiles from Judah, has come to Ezekiel, seeking a word from the Lord. It's been some time since his call to prophesy, and likely they hoped for news of deliverance, perhaps even expecting a message of speedy restoration as other prophets might have given. However, God is about to reveal a much harder truth, starting with a scathing indictment of their ancestors' persistent rebellion, a pattern that continues to haunt their present.
A group of elders, fellow exiles from Judah, has come to Ezekiel, seeking a word from the Lord. It's been some time since his call to prophesy, and likely they hoped for news of deliverance, perhaps even expecting a message of speedy restoration as other prophets might have given. However, God is about to reveal a much harder truth, starting with a scathing indictment of their ancestors' persistent rebellion, a pattern that continues to haunt their present.
"In the seventh year, in the fifth month, on the tenth day of the month, certain of the elders of Israel came to inquire of the LORD, and sat before me. And the word of the LORD came to me: “Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel, and sa…" — Even though these elders came to inquire of the Lord, the phrasing "sat before me" implies they were more seeking validation than genuinely seeking God's will. They wanted Ezekiel to confirm their…
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Last reviewed October 2026
