Ezekiel 33:2
“Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman:”
Ezekiel 33:2 in 7 translations
- KJVKing James Version
- Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman:
- DRADouay–Rheims
- Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say to them: When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man, one of their meanest, and make him a watchman over them:
- ASVAmerican Standard Version
- Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from among them, and set him for their watchman;
- DARBYDarby
- Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take one man from among them all, and set him for their watchman:
- WEBThe World English Bible
- Son of man, speak to the children of your people, and tell them, When I bring the sword on a land, and the people of the land take a man from among them, and set him for their watchman;
- YLTYoung's Literal Translation
- Son of man, speak unto the sons of thy people, and thou hast said unto them: A land ; when I bring in against it a sword, And the people of the land have taken one man out of their borders, And made him to them for a watchman.
- BPVBiblePics Version
- Son of man, speak to the people of Israel and tell them, “When I bring destruction upon a land, if the people choose a man from among them to be their watchman,
Context: Ezekiel 33
1Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
2Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman:
3If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people;
4Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head.
About Ezekiel 33: The Watchman's Responsibility
In Ezekiel 33, God calls Ezekiel to be a watchman over his people, responsible for sounding the alarm when danger is near. The chapter highlights the watchman's responsibility to warn the people of impending judgment and of the consequences of their sinful actions.
Commentary
The concept of the watchman is an important one in the Bible. It is a metaphor that describes the role of the prophet, the pastor, the parent, and any person who has been entrusted with the responsibility of guarding and warning others. God's message to Ezekiel emphasizes the urgent nature of the watchman's duty. The watchman must be vigilant, always alert and ready to sound the alarm when danger is near. The watchman's message may not always be popular or comfortable, but it is crucial for the safety and well-being of the people. As Christians, we too are called to be watchmen, to speak truth and warn others of the dangers of sin, and to point them towards the salvation that can only be found in Jesus Christ.