Ezekiel 11:5
And the Spirit of the LORD fell upon me, and said unto me, Speak; Thus saith the LORD; Thus have ye said, O house of Israel: for I know the things that come into your mind, every one of them.
Ezekiel 11:5 · King James Version
Meaning
In this verse, the Spirit of the Lord falls upon the speaker, prompting them to deliver a message on behalf of the Lord to the house of Israel. The phrase "Thus saith the LORD" signifies that the message being conveyed is coming directly from God. The speaker then addresses the house of Israel, stating that God is aware of all their thoughts. This passage serves as a reminder that God is all-knowing and nothing can be hidden from Him. It emphasizes the importance of honesty and transparency in our relationship with God, as He already knows our innermost thoughts and intentions. By speaking the truth and following His commandments, we demonstrate our faithfulness and commitment to Him. This verse reinforces the idea that God sees and understands everything, and it encourages believers to align their actions and thoughts with His will.
Theological Overview
In this verse, the phrase "the Spirit of the LORD fell upon me" indicates that the prophet Ezekiel is being moved and inspired by the Holy Spirit to speak on behalf of God. This divine inspiration signifies that the words he is about to deliver are not his own, but rather a message from the Lord himself. The Hebrew word for "fell upon" used in this verse, 'nÄfal', can also be translated as "to come upon" or "to rest upon," suggesting a powerful and intentional action by the Spirit. As Ezekiel is being filled with the Spirit, he is instructed to speak on behalf of the Lord to the house of Israel. This demonstrates the significant role of the Spirit in guiding and empowering prophets to deliver God's messages. Furthermore, the phrase "for I know the things that come into your mind, every one of them" emphasizes the omniscience of God, highlighting his intimate knowledge of the thoughts and intentions of his people. By revealing this knowledge to Ezekiel, God is demonstrating his authority and sovereignty over the hearts and minds of his chosen people.
Ezekiel 11:5 in other translations
American Standard Version
And the Spirit of Jehovah fell upon me, and he said unto me, Speak, Thus saith Jehovah: Thus have ye said, O house of Israel; for I know the things that come into your mind.
World English Bible
The Spirit of Yahweh fell on me, and he said to me, Speak, Thus says Yahweh: Thus you have said, house of Israel; for I know the things that come into your mind.
Douay-Rheims
And the spirit of the Lord fell upon me, and said to me: Speak: Thus saith the Lord: Thus have you spoken, O house of Israel, for I know the thoughts of your heart.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And the Spirite of the Lord fell vpon me, and said vnto me, Speake, Thus saith the Lord, O ye house of Israel, this haue ye said, and I know that which riseth vp of your mindes.