Ezekiel 33:3
New International Version
and he sees the sword coming against the land and blows the trumpet to warn the people,

New Living Translation
When the watchman sees the enemy coming, he sounds the alarm to warn the people.

English Standard Version
and if he sees the sword coming upon the land and blows the trumpet and warns the people,

Berean Standard Bible
and he sees the sword coming against that land and blows the ram’s horn to warn the people.

King James Bible
If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people;

New King James Version
when he sees the sword coming upon the land, if he blows the trumpet and warns the people,

New American Standard Bible
and he sees the sword coming upon the land and blows the horn and warns the people,

NASB 1995
and he sees the sword coming upon the land and blows on the trumpet and warns the people,

NASB 1977
and he sees the sword coming upon the land, and he blows on the trumpet and warns the people,

Legacy Standard Bible
and he sees the sword coming upon the land and blows on the trumpet and warns the people,

Amplified Bible
and he sees the sword coming on the land, and he blows the trumpet and warns the people,

Christian Standard Bible
And suppose he sees the sword coming against the land and blows his ram’s horn to warn the people.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
and he sees the sword coming against the land and blows his trumpet to warn the people.

American Standard Version
if, when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people;

Contemporary English Version
and to sound a warning signal when the enemy is seen coming.

English Revised Version
if, when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
If he sees the enemy coming to attack the country, he will blow his horn to warn the people.

Good News Translation
When he sees the enemy approaching, he sounds the alarm to warn everyone.

International Standard Version
and if he notices that violence is approaching and sounds an alarm to warn the people,

Majority Standard Bible
and he sees the sword coming against that land and blows the ram?s horn to warn the people.

NET Bible
He sees the sword coming against the land, blows the trumpet, and warns the people,

New Heart English Bible
if, when he sees the sword come on the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people;

Webster's Bible Translation
If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he shall blow the trumpet, and warn the people;

World English Bible
if, when he sees the sword come on the land, he blows the trumpet and warns the people,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he has seen the sword coming against the land, "" And has blown with a horn, and has warned the people,

Young's Literal Translation
And he hath seen the sword coming against the land, And hath blown with a trumpet, and hath warned the people,

Smith's Literal Translation
And he saw the sword coming upon the land, and he struck upon the trumpet and warned the people;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he see the sword coming upon the land, and sound the trumpet, and tell the people:

Catholic Public Domain Version
and if he sees the sword approaching over the land, and he sounds the trumpet, and he announces to the people,

New American Bible
and the sentinel sees the sword coming against the land, he should blow the trumpet to warn the people.

New Revised Standard Version
and if the sentinel sees the sword coming upon the land and blows the trumpet and warns the people;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when he sees the sword coming upon them, he shall blow the trumpet and warn the people;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And whenever he sees the sword that is coming upon them, he shall sound on a trumpet, and he shall warn the people
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
if, when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the horn, and warn the people;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and he shall see the sword coming upon the land, and blow the trumpet, and sound an alarm to the people;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Ezekiel the Watchman for Israel
2“Son of man, speak to your people and tell them: ‘Suppose I bring the sword against a land, and the people of that land choose a man from among them, appointing him as their watchman, 3and he sees the sword coming against that land and blows the ram’s horn to warn the people. 4Then if anyone hears the sound of the horn but fails to heed the warning, and the sword comes and takes him away, his blood will be on his own head.…

Cross References
Isaiah 56:10
Israel’s watchmen are blind, they are all oblivious; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they are dreamers lying around, loving to slumber.

Jeremiah 6:17
I appointed watchmen over you and said, ‘Listen for the sound of the ram’s horn.’ But they answered, ‘We will not listen!’

Habakkuk 2:1
I will stand at my guard post and station myself on the ramparts. I will watch to see what He will say to me, and how I should answer when corrected.

2 Samuel 18:24-27
Now David was sitting between the two gates when the watchman went up to the roof of the gateway by the wall, looked out, and saw a man running alone. / So he called out and told the king. “If he is alone,” the king replied, “he bears good news.” As the first runner drew near, / the watchman saw another man running, and he called out to the gatekeeper, “Look! Another man is running alone!” “This one also brings good news,” said the king. ...

2 Kings 9:17-20
Now the watchman standing on the tower in Jezreel saw Jehu’s troops approaching, and he called out, “I see a company of troops!” “Choose a rider,” Joram commanded. “Send him out to meet them and ask, ‘Have you come in peace?’” / So a horseman rode off to meet Jehu and said, “This is what the king asks: ‘Have you come in peace?’” “What do you know about peace?” Jehu replied. “Fall in behind me.” And the watchman reported, “The messenger reached them, but he is not coming back.” / So the king sent out a second horseman, who went to them and said, “This is what the king asks: ‘Have you come in peace?’” “What do you know about peace?” Jehu replied. “Fall in behind me.” ...

Isaiah 21:6-9
For this is what the Lord says to me: “Go, post a lookout and have him report what he sees. / When he sees chariots with teams of horsemen, riders on donkeys, riders on camels, he must be alert, fully alert.” / Then the lookout shouted: “Day after day, my lord, I stand on the watchtower; night after night I stay at my post. ...

Jeremiah 51:12
Raise a banner against the walls of Babylon; post the guard; station the watchmen; prepare the ambush. For the LORD has both devised and accomplished what He spoke against the people of Babylon.

Hosea 9:8
The prophet is Ephraim’s watchman, along with my God, yet the snare of the fowler lies on all his paths. Hostility is in the house of his God!

Amos 3:6
If a ram’s horn sounds in a city, do the people not tremble? If calamity comes to a city, has not the LORD caused it?

Matthew 24:42-44
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come. / But understand this: If the homeowner had known in which watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. / For this reason, you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect.

Mark 13:34-37
It is like a man going on a journey who left his house, put each servant in charge of his own task, and instructed the doorkeeper to keep watch. / Therefore keep watch, because you do not know when the master of the house will return—whether in the evening, at midnight, when the rooster crows, or in the morning. / Otherwise, he may arrive without notice and find you sleeping. ...

Luke 12:38-40
Even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night and finds them alert, those servants will be blessed. / But understand this: If the homeowner had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. / You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect.”

Acts 20:31
Therefore be alert and remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.

1 Corinthians 16:13
Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong.

1 Thessalonians 5:6
So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober.


Treasury of Scripture

If when he sees the sword come on the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people;

he blow

Ezekiel 33:8,9
When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand…

Nehemiah 4:18,20
For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me…

Isaiah 58:1
Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.

Amos 3:6
Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it?

1 Corinthians 14:8
For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?

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Blow Blown Blows Danger Gives Horn News Sounding Sword Trumpet Warn Warned Warns
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Blow Blown Blows Danger Gives Horn News Sounding Sword Trumpet Warn Warned Warns
Ezekiel 33
1. According to the duty of a watchman in warning the people
7. Ezekiel is admonished of his duty
10. God shows the justice of his ways toward the penitent and toward revolters
17. He maintains his justice
21. Upon the news of the taking of Jerusalem
25. he prophecies the desolation of the land
30. God's judgment upon the mockers of the prophets














and he sees the sword coming against that land
This phrase refers to the watchman's role in ancient Israel, a position of vigilance and responsibility. The "sword" symbolizes impending judgment or invasion, often used in the Old Testament to denote war or divine retribution (Jeremiah 25:29). The watchman must be alert to threats, both physical and spiritual. In Ezekiel's context, this is a metaphor for the prophet's duty to warn Israel of God's impending judgment due to their sinfulness. The "land" signifies the covenant land given to Israel, emphasizing the seriousness of the threat to God's chosen people.

and blows the ram’s horn
The ram's horn, or shofar, was an ancient instrument used in Israel for various purposes, including signaling the start of festivals, calling people to worship, and alerting them to danger (Joshua 6:4-5). Its sound was distinct and carried significant meaning, often associated with divine intervention or the presence of God (Exodus 19:16). The act of blowing the horn signifies the urgency and importance of the warning, calling the people to attention and action.

to warn the people
The watchman's duty is to provide a clear warning to the people, emphasizing the prophetic role of Ezekiel. This warning is not just about physical danger but also spiritual peril, urging repentance and return to God (Ezekiel 18:30-32). The concept of warning is deeply rooted in the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where God consistently sends prophets to call His people back to faithfulness (Amos 3:7). This also foreshadows the role of Jesus Christ as the ultimate prophet and shepherd, who warns and guides His flock (John 10:11-16).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ezekiel
A prophet called by God to be a watchman for the house of Israel. His role was to deliver God's messages and warnings to the people.

2. Watchman
A metaphorical role assigned to Ezekiel, representing someone who is responsible for warning others of impending danger. In ancient times, a watchman would stand on the city walls to alert the inhabitants of any approaching threats.

3. The Sword
Symbolizes impending judgment or disaster. In the context of Ezekiel, it often refers to the Babylonian invasion and God's judgment on Israel for their sins.

4. The Trumpet
An instrument used to signal danger or call people to action. In biblical times, trumpets were used to gather people, announce important events, or warn of approaching enemies.

5. The People
Refers to the Israelites, who were the recipients of God's warnings through Ezekiel. They were expected to heed the warnings and repent.
Teaching Points
The Role of a Watchman
As Christians, we are called to be spiritual watchmen, alerting others to the truth of the Gospel and the reality of God's coming judgment.

Responsibility to Warn
Just as Ezekiel was responsible for warning the Israelites, we have a responsibility to share God's truth with others, even when it is uncomfortable.

Heeding Warnings
It is crucial to listen to and act upon spiritual warnings. Ignoring them can lead to spiritual peril.

The Power of Repentance
The purpose of warnings is to lead to repentance and restoration. God desires that we turn from our ways and seek Him.

Urgency in Proclamation
The blowing of the trumpet signifies urgency. We should have a sense of urgency in sharing the Gospel, knowing that time is limited.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
and he sees
וְרָאָ֥ה (wə·rā·’āh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

the sword
הַחֶ֖רֶב (ha·ḥe·reḇ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2719: Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword

coming
בָּאָ֣ה (bā·’āh)
Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

against
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

that land
הָאָ֑רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

and blows
וְתָקַ֥ע (wə·ṯā·qa‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8628: To clatter, slap, clang, to drive, to become bondsman

his trumpet
בַּשּׁוֹפָ֖ר (baš·šō·w·p̄ār)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7782: A cornet, curved horn

to warn
וְהִזְהִ֥יר (wə·hiz·hîr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2094: To gleam, to enlighten

the people.
הָעָֽם׃ (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 33:3 If when he sees the sword come (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 33:2
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