Ezekiel 28:20 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 28:20 mean?

Ezekiel 28:20 records that God spoke again to the prophet Ezekiel, giving him a new message to deliver. This verse marks the beginning of a fresh word from God, signaling a transition to a new subject or prophecy in the book.

Ezekiel, living in exile, is the one receiving this message directly from God. The phrase sets up the next section, where God will instruct Ezekiel to speak against Sidon, a city near Tyre. This pattern—God’s word coming to Ezekiel—is repeated throughout the book, highlighting that Ezekiel’s messages are not his own ideas, but direct communications from God.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 28:20

• word (דָּבָר, davar): This Hebrew term means "word," "matter," or "message." In this context, it emphasizes that what follows is a specific, authoritative communication from God, not just general thoughts.
• LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, often translated as "the LORD." Its use here underlines that the message comes from Israel’s covenant God, not a generic deity.
• saying (אָמַר, amar): This verb means "to say" or "to speak." It introduces the direct speech that follows, making it clear that God is actively communicating with Ezekiel.

Why Ezekiel 28:20 matters

• This verse signals a shift in focus from the previous prophecy against Tyre to a new prophecy against Sidon, helping readers track the flow of Ezekiel’s messages.
• The repetition of "the word of the LORD came unto me" throughout Ezekiel stresses that the prophet’s authority comes from God’s direct revelation, not personal opinion.
• Recognizing this pattern helps prevent confusion about who is speaking and why, grounding each new section in God’s initiative rather than Ezekiel’s.