Ezekiel 33:30
Also, thou son of man, the children of thy people still are talking against thee by the walls and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to another, every one to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the LORD.
Ezekiel 33:30 · King James Version
Meaning
In this verse from the book of Ezekiel, God addresses Ezekiel as "son of man" and instructs him that the children of his people are speaking against him, spreading rumors and gossip. They are doing so in secret, by the walls and in the doors of their houses, urging each other to come and hear what God's word is through Ezekiel. This verse highlights the tendency of people to spread rumors, gossip, and misinformation about others. It serves as a reminder that words have power and can be used to either build up or tear down. It also emphasizes the importance of seeking the truth and not blindly following hearsay. Ezekiel's role as a prophet is to bring God's word to the people, and their negative chatter serves as a challenge to his authority and credibility. Overall, this verse serves as a cautionary tale about the impact of our words and the importance of seeking out the truth directly from the source.
Theological Overview
In this verse, the phrase "the children of thy people still are talking against thee by the walls and in the doors of the houses" reveals a sense of betrayal and division among the community towards the prophet Ezekiel, who is referred to as "thou son of man". The people are gossiping and speaking negatively about him behind his back, showing a lack of respect for his role as a messenger of God. The phrase "Come, I pray you, and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the LORD" indicates that despite their verbal attacks, the people are still curious to hear the message that Ezekiel receives from the Lord. This demonstrates a tension between their skepticism and their willingness to listen to God's word, highlighting the importance of discerning the source of spiritual guidance amidst human opinions and criticisms.
Ezekiel 33:30 in other translations
American Standard Version
And as for thee, son of man, the children of thy people talk of thee by the walls and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to another, every one to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and hear what is the word that cometh forth from Jehovah.
World English Bible
As for you, son of man, the children of your people talk of you by the walls and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to another, everyone to his brother, saying, Please come and hear what is the word that comes out from Yahweh.
Douay-Rheims
And thou son of man: the children of thy people, that talk of thee by the walls, and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to another each man to his neighbour, saying: Come, and let us hear what is the word that cometh forth from the Lord.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Also thou sonne of man, the children of thy people that talke of thee by the wals and in the dores of houses, and speake one to another, euery one to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and heare what is the word that commeth from the Lord.