Son of man, behold, they of the house of Israel say, The vision that he seeth is for many days to come, and he prophesieth of the times that are far off.

EZEKIEL 12:27KJV
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Ezekiel 12:27 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 12:27 mean?

Ezekiel 12:27 describes how the people of Israel were dismissing Ezekiel’s warnings, saying his visions and prophecies were about events far in the future and not relevant to them. The verse shows their attitude of disbelief and delay, treating God’s message as something that did not require immediate attention.

In this verse, God is speaking to Ezekiel, calling him “son of man” and telling him what the people of Israel are saying about his prophecies. The people claim that the visions Ezekiel sees are for “many days to come” and concern “times that are far off,” which means they do not feel threatened or moved to change by his words. This attitude is part of a larger section where Ezekiel is warning of coming judgment, but the people are refusing to take it seriously.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 12:27

  • The word for “vision” is חָזוֹן (chazon), which means a prophetic revelation or message from God. Here, it highlights that Ezekiel’s message is not just his own idea but a true warning from God.
  • The word for “far” is רָחוֹק (rachok), meaning distant in time or space. The people’s use of this word shows they are pushing the warning away, not expecting it to affect them soon.
  • The word for “prophesieth” is נָבָא (nava), which refers to speaking forth God’s message. The people acknowledge Ezekiel is prophesying, but they still dismiss the urgency.

Why Ezekiel 12:27 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the people of Israel were not outright denying Ezekiel’s prophecies, but they were postponing their relevance, which is a subtle but serious form of unbelief.
  • Ezekiel 12:27 highlights a common human tendency to delay responding to warnings or uncomfortable truths by assuming they are not immediately important.
  • The verse sets up the following verses, where God insists that His words will not be delayed any longer, stressing the seriousness and nearness of the coming events.

Where else these words appear

“vision” Hebrew H2377 · used in 34 verses

  • 1 Samuel 3:1 And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.
  • Ezekiel 7:26 Mischief shall come upon mischief, and rumour shall be upon rumour; then shall they seek a vision of the prophet; but the law shall perish from the priest, and counsel from the ancients.
  • Daniel 8:26 And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days.

“seeth” Hebrew H2372 · used in 47 verses

  • Exodus 18:21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:
  • Psalms 17:2 Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.
  • Isaiah 30:10 Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:

“far” Hebrew H7350 · used in 84 verses

  • Genesis 22:4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.
  • 2 Chronicles 6:36 If they sin against thee,(for there is no man which sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them over before their enemies, and they carry them away captives unto a land far off or near;
  • Isaiah 33:13 Hear, ye that are far off, what I have done; and, ye that are near, acknowledge my might.

“prophesieth” Hebrew H5012 · used in 102 verses

  • Numbers 11:25 And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease.
  • Jeremiah 20:1 Now Pashur the son of Immer the priest, who was also chief governor in the house of the LORD, heard that Jeremiah prophesied these things.
  • Ezekiel 13:16 To wit, the prophets of Israel which prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and which see visions of peace for her, and there is no peace, saith the Lord GOD.