Ezekiel 2:5
New International Version
And whether they listen or fail to listen—for they are a rebellious people—they will know that a prophet has been among them.

New Living Translation
And whether they listen or refuse to listen—for remember, they are rebels—at least they will know they have had a prophet among them.

English Standard Version
And whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house) they will know that a prophet has been among them.

Berean Standard Bible
And whether they listen or refuse to listen—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
As for them, whether they hear or whether they refuse—for they are a rebellious house—yet they will know that a prophet has been among them.

New American Standard Bible
As for them, whether they listen or not—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them.

NASB 1995
“As for them, whether they listen or not— for they are a rebellious house— they will know that a prophet has been among them.

NASB 1977
“As for them, whether they listen or not—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them.

Legacy Standard Bible
As for them, whether they listen or whether they refuse—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them.

Amplified Bible
As for them, whether they listen or refuse [to listen]—for they are a rebellious house—yet they will know and be fully aware of the fact that there has been a prophet among them.

Christian Standard Bible
Whether they listen or refuse to listen —for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Whether they listen or refuse to listen—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them.”

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
Those rebels may not even listen, but at least they will know that a prophet has come to them.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Whether these rebellious people listen or not, they will realize that a prophet has been among them.

Good News Translation
Whether those rebels listen to you or not, they will know that a prophet has been among them.

International Standard Version
Whether this rebellious group listens to you or not, at least they'll realize that a prophet had appeared in their midst!

Majority Standard Bible
And whether they listen or refuse to listen?for they are a rebellious house?they will know that a prophet has been among them.

NET Bible
And as for them, whether they listen or not--for they are a rebellious house--they will know that a prophet has been among them.

New Heart English Bible
They, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house), yet shall know that there has been a prophet among them.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
They, 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.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And they—whether they hear, or whether they refrain, for they [are] a house of rebellion—have known that a prophet has been in their midst.

Young's Literal Translation
and they -- whether they hear, or whether they forbear, for a rebellious house they are -- have known that a prophet hath been in their midst.

Smith's Literal Translation
And if they will hear, and if they will desist, (for they a house of contradiction,) and they shall know that a prophet was in the midst of them.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
If so be they at least will hear, and if so be they will forbear, for they are a provoking house: and they shall know that there hath been a prophet in the midst of them.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Perhaps it may be that they will hear, and perhaps they may be quieted. For they are a provoking house. And they shall know that there has been a prophet in their midst.

New American Bible
And whether they hear or resist—they are a rebellious house—they shall know that a prophet has been among them.

New Revised Standard Version
Whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house), they shall know that there has been a prophet among them.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Perhaps they will listen and tremble (for they are a rebellious house), and they shall know that you are a prophet among them.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Perhaps they shall hear and they shall be moved, because they are a rebellious household, and they shall know that you are a Prophet in their midst
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Whether then indeed they shall hear or fear. (for it is a provoking house,) yet they shall know that thou art a prophet in the midst of them.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Ezekiel's Call
4They are obstinate and stubborn children. I am sending you to them, and you are to say to them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says.’ 5And whether they listen or refuse to listen— for they are a rebellious house— they will know that a prophet has been among them. 6But you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns surround you, and you dwell among scorpions. Do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their presence, though they are a rebellious house.…

Cross References
Jeremiah 1:7-8
But the LORD told me: “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ For to everyone I send you, you must go, and all that I command you, you must speak. / Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you,” declares the LORD.

Isaiah 6:9-10
And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ / Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”

Matthew 10:14-15
And if anyone will not welcome you or heed your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. / Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.

Luke 10:10-12
But if you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go into the streets and declare, / ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off as a testimony against you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God is near.’ / I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.

John 12:37-41
Although Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still did not believe in Him. / This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet: “Lord, who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” / For this reason they were unable to believe. For again, Isaiah says: ...

Acts 28:25-27
They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit was right when He spoke to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet: / ‘Go to this people and say, “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.” / For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’

Jeremiah 7:27
When you tell them all these things, they will not listen to you. When you call to them, they will not answer.

Isaiah 30:9-11
These are rebellious people, deceitful children, children unwilling to obey the LORD’s instruction. / They say to the seers, “Stop seeing visions!” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us the truth! Speak to us pleasant words; prophesy illusions. / Get out of the way; turn off the road. Rid us of the Holy One of Israel!”

Matthew 13:14-15
In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. / For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’

Mark 6:11
If anyone will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that place, as a testimony against them.”

2 Timothy 4:3-4
For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. / So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

Jeremiah 25:4-7
And the LORD has sent all His servants the prophets to you again and again, but you have not listened or inclined your ear to hear. / The prophets told you, ‘Turn now, each of you, from your evil ways and deeds, and you can dwell in the land that the LORD has given to you and your fathers forever and ever. / Do not follow other gods to serve and worship them, and do not provoke Me to anger with the works of your hands. Then I will do you no harm.’ ...

Isaiah 65:2
All day long I have held out My hands to an obstinate people who walk in the wrong path, who follow their own imaginations,

Romans 10:21
But as for Israel he says: “All day long I have held out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.”

2 Chronicles 36:15-16
Again and again the LORD, the God of their fathers, sent word to His people through His messengers because He had compassion on them and on His dwelling place. / But they mocked the messengers of God, despising His words and scoffing at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD against His people was stirred up beyond remedy.


Treasury of Scripture

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

whether

Ezekiel 1:7
And their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf's foot: and they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass.

Ezekiel 3:10,11,27
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…

Matthew 10:12-15
And when ye come into an house, salute it…

yet

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.

Ezekiel 33:9,33
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…

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, …

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Ezekiel 2
1. Ezekiel's commission
6. His instruction
9. The scroll of his heavy prophecy














And whether they listen or refuse to listen
This phrase captures the duality of human response to divine messages. The Hebrew root for "listen" is "שָׁמַע" (shama), which implies not just hearing but also understanding and obeying. The phrase suggests that God's message, delivered through His prophet, demands a response. Historically, Israel often vacillated between obedience and rebellion, reflecting the broader human condition. This duality underscores the freedom God grants humanity to choose their path, yet it also highlights the accountability that comes with such freedom.

for they are a rebellious house
The term "rebellious" comes from the Hebrew "מֶרִי" (meri), indicating defiance and resistance against authority. In the context of Israel, this rebellion was not just against a human leader but against God Himself. The phrase "rebellious house" paints a picture of a people who have consistently turned away from God's commandments and covenant. Historically, this rebellion led to consequences such as exile and suffering, serving as a warning to future generations about the dangers of straying from God's path.

they will know
The Hebrew word for "know" is "יָדַע" (yada), which implies a deep, intimate understanding, often through experience. This knowledge is not merely intellectual but experiential, suggesting that through the presence and words of the prophet, the people will come to a realization of God's truth and authority. This phrase emphasizes the certainty of God's revelation and the inevitable recognition of His sovereignty, whether through blessing or judgment.

that a prophet has been among them
The role of a prophet in Israel was to be God's spokesperson, delivering His messages to the people. The presence of a prophet was a sign of God's ongoing relationship with His people, even in times of rebellion. The phrase underscores the importance of the prophetic office and the weight of responsibility carried by those called to it. Historically, prophets like Ezekiel were often met with resistance, yet their presence was a testament to God's enduring mercy and desire for His people to return to Him. This phrase serves as both a comfort and a warning: comfort in knowing God has not abandoned His people, and a warning of the consequences of ignoring His messengers.

(5) Whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear.--Comp. Ezekiel 3:11. God's word remains the same whatever reception man may accord to it; it cannot return unto Him void, but must accomplish that which He pleases (Isaiah 55:11); just as the Apostles remained "unto God a sweet savour of Christ" alike "in them that are saved and in them that perish" (2Corinthians 2:15-16). But while the mighty power of the Divine word must thus produce its effect, the character of the effect depends upon those to whom it comes; "to the one we are a savour of death unto death, and to the other the savour of life unto life." So it would be among the captives by the Chebar: some would be brought back to their allegiance to their God, and would constitute the remnant through whom He would bless His people and the world; and some, resisting the offered grace, would be thus made more obdurate than ever. In either case, they could not remain as before. Whether for gain or for loss, they should "know that there hath been a prophet among them," by the change his ministrations should produce among them. The offer of grace, imposing the responsibility of accepting or rejecting it, ever becomes thus "a great and terrible day of the Lord." (See Joel 2:31; Malachi 4:5, compared with Matthew 17:12; Acts 2:16-22.) . . . Verse 5. - Whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, etc. The latter word is used in the sense of "cease" or "desist," as in 1 Corinthians 9:6 and Ephesians 6:9. The same formula meets us in ver. 7; Ezekiel 3:11, 27. The prophet is warned beforehand of the (at least) probable failure of his mission, wholly or in part. We note the parallelism of thought, though not language, in 2 Corinthians 2:15, 16. Such, at all times, has been the condition of the prophet's work. The expectation is grounded upon the antecedent fact of their being a "rebellious people." There is the consolation that in the end, partly through the fulfilment of his words, partly, it may be, through the witness of their own conscience, they shall know that there has been a prophet among them (comp. Ezekiel 33:33; Jeremiah 28:9). We note that it is the first time that Ezekiel claims that name for himself.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And whether
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

they
וְהֵ֙מָּה֙ (wə·hêm·māh)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They

listen
יִשְׁמְע֣וּ (yiš·mə·‘ū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

or
וְאִם־ (wə·’im-)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

refuse to listen—
יֶחְדָּ֔לוּ (yeḥ·dā·lū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 2308: To be flabby, desist, be lacking, idle

for
כִּ֛י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

they
הֵ֑מָּה (hêm·māh)
Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They

are a rebellious
מְרִ֖י (mə·rî)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4805: Bitterness, rebellion, bitter, rebellious

house—
בֵּ֥ית (bêṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

they will know
וְיָ֣דְע֔וּ (wə·yā·ḏə·‘ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3045: To know

that
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

a prophet
נָבִ֖יא (nā·ḇî)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet

has been
הָיָ֥ה (hā·yāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

among them.
בְתוֹכָֽם׃ (ḇə·ṯō·w·ḵām)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 2:5 They whether they will hear or whether (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 2:4
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