Ezekiel 2 · Verse 5

Ezekiel 2:5

And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them.
Ezekiel 2:5, King James Version

Ezekiel 2:5 in other translations

BSBAnd whether they listen or refuse to listen—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them.
WEBThey, whether they will hear, or whether they will refuse—for they are a rebellious house—yet they will know that there has been a prophet among them.
ASVAnd they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear (for they are a rebellious house), yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them.
YLTand they--whether they hear, or whether they forbear, for a rebellious house they are --have known that a prophet hath been in their midst.
DARBYAnd they, whether they will hear or whether they will forbear — for they are a rebellious house — yet shall they know that there hath been a prophet among them.
BBEAnd they, if they give ear to you or if they do not give ear (for they are an uncontrolled people), will see that there has been a prophet among them.
WebsterAnd they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them.

What does Ezekiel 2:5 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
5. forbear--namely, to hear. yet shall know--Even if they will not hear, at least they will not have ignorance to plead as the cause of their perversity (Eze 33:33).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 5 Yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them - By this they shall be assured of two things: 1. That God in his mercy had given them due warning. 2. That themselves were inexcusable, for not taking it.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Ezekiel 2:1-5

The prophet is directed what he is to do. (Ezek 2:1-5) And encouraged to be resolute, faithful, and devoted. (Ezek 2:6-10) Verses 1-5 Lest Ezekiel should be lifted up with the abundance of the revelations, he is put in mind that still he is a son of man, a weak, mortal creature. As Christ usually called himself the Son of man, it was also an honourable distinction. Ezekiel's posture showed reverence, but his…

Read the full comment on Ezekiel 2:1-5 →

Ezekiel 2:5 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

וְהֵ֙מָּה֙ve.He.mahand theyH1992
אִם\־'im-whetherH518
יִשְׁמְע֣וּyish.me.'Uthey will listenH8085
וְאִם\־ve.'im-and orH518
יֶחְדָּ֔לוּyech.Da.luthey will refrainH2308
כִּ֛יkiforH3588
בֵּ֥יתbeit[are] a house ofH1004
מְרִ֖יme.RirebellionH4805
הֵ֑מָּהHe.mahtheyH1992
וְיָ֣דְע֔וּve.Ya.de.'Uand they will knowH3045
כִּ֥יkithatH3588
נָבִ֖יאna.Vi'a prophetH5030
הָיָ֥הha.Yahhe has beenH1961
בְתוֹכָֽם\׃\ \פve.to.Khamin midst of themH8432

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Ezekiel 2:5

  • Ezekiel 33:33

    And when this cometh to pass, (lo, it will come,) then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them.

  • Ezekiel 3:27

    But when I speak with thee, I will open thy mouth, and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; He that heareth, let him hear; and he that forbeareth, let him forbear: for they are a rebellious house.

  • John 15:22

    If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.

  • Matthew 10:12-15

    And when ye come into an house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

  • Ezekiel 2:7

    And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious.

  • Luke 10:10-12

    But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.

  • Acts 13:46

    Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

  • 2 Corinthians 2:15-17

    For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

  • Romans 3:3

    For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?

  • Ezekiel 33:9

    Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

  • Ezekiel 3:10-11

    Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, all my words that I shall speak unto thee receive in thine heart, and hear with thine ears. And go, get thee to them of the captivity, unto the children of thy people, and speak unto them, and tell them, Thus saith the Lord God; whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear.

  • Ezekiel 3:19

    Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
whether.
7; 3:10,11,27; Mt 10:12-15; Ac 13:46; Ro 3:3; 2Co 2:15-17
yet.
3:19; 33:9,33; Lu 10:10-12; Joh 15:22

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Ezekiel 2:4

    For they are impudent children and stiffhearted. I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God.

  • Ezekiel 2:5

    And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them.

  • Ezekiel 2:6

    And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.

Read all of Ezekiel 2

Ezekiel 2:5 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
Acaso ellos escuchen; y si no escucharen, (porque son una rebelde familia,) siempre conocerán que hubo profeta entre ellos.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
Et eux, soit qu’ils écoutent, soit qu’ils n’en fassent rien, car ils sont une maison rebelle, ils sauront qu’il y a eu un prophète au milieu d’eux.
German
Elberfelder 1871
Und sie, mögen sie hören oder es lassen sie sollen doch wissen daß ein Prophet in ihrer Mitte war.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
si forte vel ipsi audiant, et si forte quiescant, quoniam domus exasperans est: et scient quia propheta fuerit in medio eorum.