Ezekiel 33:1-9

Ezekiel 33:1-9

[1] Again the word  of the LORD  came unto me, saying,  [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  man  of their coasts,  and set  him for their watchman:  [3] If when he seeth  the sword  come  upon the land,  he blow  the trumpet,  and warn  the people;  [4] Then whosoever  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.  [5] He heard  the sound  of the trumpet,  and took not warning;  his blood  shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning  shall deliver  his soul.  [6] But if the watchman  see  the sword  come,  and blow  not the trumpet,  and the people  be not warned;  if the sword  come,  and take  any person  from among them, he is taken away  in his iniquity;  but his blood  will I require  at the watchman's  hand.  [7] So thou, O son  of man,  I have set  thee a watchman  unto the house  of Israel;  therefore thou shalt hear  the word  at my mouth,  and warn  [8] When I say  unto the wicked,  man, thou shalt surely  if thou dost not speak  to warn  the wicked  from his way,  that wicked  man shall die  in his iniquity;  but his blood  will I require  at thine hand.  [9] Nevertheless, if thou warn  the wicked  of his way  to turn  from his way,  he shall die  in his iniquity;  but thou hast delivered  thy soul. 

What does Ezekiel 33:1-9 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

This part of Ezekiel"s message of warning to the exiles is similar to Ezekiel 3:16-21. Yahweh Revelation -commissioned Ezekiel to his prophetic task (cf. chs2-3).
"Now that Ezekiel"s original ministry of judgment was completed, God appointed him as a "watchman" for a second time. His message still stressed individual accountability and responsibility, but the focus was now on the Lord"s restoration of Israel." [1]