came to me,
The personal nature of this phrase indicates that Ezekiel, the prophet, is the recipient of God's message. This reflects the intimate relationship between God and His prophets, where God chooses specific individuals to convey His messages. Ezekiel, a priest and prophet during the Babylonian exile, often received visions and words from God, which he then communicated to the Israelites. This personal reception of God's word is a hallmark of prophetic literature, emphasizing the role of the prophet as a mediator between God and His people.

saying,
This introduces the content of the divine message that follows. It prepares the reader for the specific instructions or revelations that God is about to impart. In the context of Ezekiel, this often involves messages of judgment, warning, or hope for the people of Israel. The use of "saying" is a formal introduction to the prophetic oracle, a common literary device in biblical texts to transition from the narrative to the direct speech of God.

The first word links this verse to what has just been said. Ezekiel is in the midst of a hard conversation with the elders of Israel (Ezekiel 14:1).

• Scripture’s “and” reminds us that God’s dealings are continuous—He does not speak in random fragments. Compare the seamless narrative flow of Genesis 12:1 – “Then the LORD said to Abram”—and Acts 9:1 – “Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing threats.”

• By joining verses together, the Spirit shows how every part of the Bible fits into one unfolding story (2 Timothy 3:16).

What arrives is not a feeling or an impression but “the word,” something concrete, verbal, trustworthy.

• Psalm 33:4: “For the word of the LORD is upright, and all His work is trustworthy.”

• Hebrews 4:12 highlights that this word is “living and active,” cutting straight to the heart—exactly what the elders will experience in the rest of the chapter.

• God’s word never fails to accomplish its purpose (Isaiah 55:11), whether comfort or confrontation.

The source is Yahweh Himself, the covenant God of Israel.

• Because the word belongs to the LORD, it carries absolute authority (Exodus 20:1).

• 2 Peter 1:21 reminds us that “men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit,” underscoring that Ezekiel is not offering personal opinion.

• This same LORD is the One who later takes on flesh and speaks with finality in Jesus (Hebrews 1:1-2).

The verb pictures movement from heaven to earth—God initiating, Ezekiel receiving.

• Jeremiah 42:7 records a parallel: “After ten days the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah,” showing God’s timing is deliberate, not mechanical.

• Genesis 15:1 adds, “After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision,” reinforcing that divine revelation interrupts ordinary life with supernatural clarity.

• The fact that the word “came” affirms that God is not silent; He pursues His people even when they wander (Hosea 11:4).

The message is personal. The prophet is singled out, yet what he hears is meant for the nation.

• Like Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:4) and Samuel in the tabernacle (1 Samuel 3:10), Ezekiel stands as a mediator, hearing first so he can speak faithfully.

• Personal encounter fuels prophetic courage. Paul echoes this pattern in Acts 18:9-10 when the Lord says to him in Corinth, “Do not be afraid… for I am with you.”

A new, specific communication is about to unfold. God does not mumble; He articulates.

• Revelation 2:1-7 repeats the formula “These are the words of Him who…” showing that the Lord still speaks distinctly to His people.

• The elders who sit before Ezekiel have questions; God answers with clarity, exposing their idols (Ezekiel 14:3-5).

• Every “saying” carries an implied call to listen and obey (James 1:22).

Ezekiel 14:2 shows the stunning reality that the living God links His ongoing story (“And”) to specific moments in our world by sending His authoritative, life-giving word (“the word of the LORD”) directly into human experience (“came to me, saying”). The verse reassures us that Scripture is not a human construct but a divine message delivered with purpose, precision, and personal concern.

Parallel Commentaries ...