Ezekiel 24:20
Ezekiel 24:20 in Multiple Translations
So I answered them, “The word of the LORD came to me, saying:
Then I answered them, The word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
Then I said unto them, The word of Jehovah came unto me, saying,
Then I said to them, The word of the Lord came to me, saying,
So I told them, “A message from the Lord came to me, saying:
Then I answered them, The worde of the Lord came vnto me, saying,
And I say unto them, 'A word of Jehovah hath been unto me, saying:
Then I said to them, “The LORD’s word came to me, saying,
Then I answered them, the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
And I said to them: The word of the Lord came to me, saying:
So I said to them, “This is what Yahweh told me:
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 24:20
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Ezekiel 24:20 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וָ/אֹמַ֖ר
אֲלֵי/הֶ֑ם
דְּבַ֨ר
יְהוָ֔ה
הָיָ֥ה
אֵלַ֖/י
לֵ/אמֹֽר
וָ/אֹמַ֖ר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs
אֲלֵי/הֶ֑ם
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep | Suff
דְּבַ֨ר
dâbâr
H1697
Chronicles
N-ms
יְהוָ֔ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
הָיָ֥ה
hâyâh
H1961
to be
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
אֵלַ֖/י
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep | Suff
לֵ/אמֹֽר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 24:20
וָ/אֹמַ֖ר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
אֲלֵי/הֶ֑ם
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
דְּבַ֨ר
dâbâr
H1697
"Chronicles"
N-ms
A word or thing, like a matter or affair, as seen in the book of Chronicles where it refers to the events and words of kings. It can also mean a cause or reason for something.
Definition: This name means word, speaking
Usage: Occurs in 1290 OT verses. KJV: act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work. See also: Genesis 11:1; Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 18:21.
יְהוָ֔ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
הָיָ֥ה
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
אֵלַ֖/י
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
לֵ/אמֹֽר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
Study Notes — Ezekiel 24:20
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Ezekiel’s Wife Dies
18So I spoke to the people in the morning, and in the evening my wife died. And the next morning I did as I had been commanded.
19Then the people asked me, “Won’t you tell us what these things you are doing mean to us?”
20So I answered them, “The word of the LORD came to me, saying:
21Tell the house of Israel that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘I am about to desecrate My sanctuary, the pride of your power, the desire of your eyes, and the delight of your soul. And the sons and daughters you left behind will fall by the sword.’ 22Then you will do as I have done: You will not cover your lips or eat the bread of mourners.Ezekiel 24:20 Summary
[Ezekiel 24:20 is a verse where Ezekiel tells the people that God has spoken to him, and he is about to share a very important message from God, similar to how God spoke to Moses in Exodus 19:5. This message is a warning to the people of Israel that God is going to desecrate the temple, which was a very sad and serious event, as seen in Ezekiel 24:21. Ezekiel's role as a prophet is to share God's messages with the people, even when they are hard to hear, as seen in Jeremiah 1:4. By saying 'the word of the LORD came to me', Ezekiel is emphasizing that his message is not his own, but comes directly from God, as seen in 2 Corinthians 6:16.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the context of Ezekiel 24:20?
Ezekiel 24:20 is part of a larger narrative where Ezekiel is mourning the loss of his wife, as commanded by God, to symbolize the loss that Israel would experience when the temple was desecrated, as seen in Ezekiel 24:21, which references the Lord GOD's words about desecrating His sanctuary.
Why did Ezekiel not immediately explain his actions to the people?
Ezekiel waited for the people to ask him about the meaning of his actions, as seen in Ezekiel 24:19, before explaining that the word of the Lord had come to him, similar to how other prophets like Isaiah received direct words from God, as in Isaiah 1:1.
What is the significance of Ezekiel saying 'the word of the LORD came to me'?
When Ezekiel says 'the word of the LORD came to me', he is emphasizing that his message and actions are not his own, but are directly from God, similar to how the prophets in the book of Jeremiah, such as Jeremiah 1:4, received their messages from God.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the Bible?
This verse is part of the larger story of God's relationship with His people, as seen in Exodus 19:5, where God establishes His covenant with Israel, and is fulfilled in the New Testament, as seen in 2 Corinthians 6:16, where God dwells among His people.
Reflection Questions
- What does it mean for me to wait on God's timing to explain His actions in my life, just like Ezekiel waited for the people to ask him about his actions?
- How can I, like Ezekiel, be a symbol of God's message to those around me, as seen in Ezekiel 24:21, where Ezekiel is told to tell the house of Israel about the desecration of the sanctuary?
- What are some ways that I can show that my words and actions are guided by God, rather than my own desires, as seen in Ezekiel 24:20, where Ezekiel says 'the word of the LORD came to me'?
- How can I apply the principle of obedience to God's commands, even when they are difficult or hard to understand, as seen in Ezekiel 24:18, where Ezekiel speaks to the people in the morning and his wife dies in the evening?
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 24:20
Then I answered them,.... And gave them an account of the design of the whole, and what was signified hereby: the word of the Lord came unto me, saying; ordering him to do all he did; for he did
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 24:20
Then I answered them, The word of the LORD came unto me, saying, No JFB commentary on this verse.
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 24:20
Ezekiel 24:20 Then I answered them, The word of the LORD came unto me, saying,Ver. 20. Then I answered them.] The prophet was ready to tell them the true meaning of all; so should ministers be. See Job 33:23.
Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 24:20
(20) That which your soul pitieth.—In the margin the pity of your soul. The word rather means in this connection love, in the sense of the object of love: “that which your soul loves.” The expression in the original is a difficult one, and is used by Ezekiel on account of the alliteration with the previous clause: “the machmad of your eyes, and the machmal of your souls.” (Comp. the parallel in Ezekiel 24:25 : “That whereupon they set their minds.”)
Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 24:20
THE DEATH OF EZEKIEL’S WIFE, AND ITS LESSONS, 15-27. There is nothing in literature more pathetic than these few brief words of personal history in the midst of this flaming prophecy.