Christian Standard Bible
Ezekiel 11:3
3They are saying, ‘Isn’t the time near to build houses? The city is the pot, and we are the meat.’
Ezekiel 11:3 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Which say, It is not near; let us build houses: this city is the caldron, and we be the flesh.
- New International Version (NIV)They say, ‘Haven’t our houses been recently rebuilt? This city is a pot, and we are the meat in it.’
- English Standard Version (ESV)who say, 'The time is not near to build houses. This city is the cauldron, and we are the meat.'
- New King James Version (NKJV)who say, ‘The time is not near to build houses; this city is the caldron, and we are the meat.’
Context of Ezekiel 11:3
1The Spirit then lifted me up and brought me to the eastern gate of the Lord’s house, which faces east, and at the gate’s entrance were twenty-five men. Among them I saw Jaazaniah son of Azzur, and Pelatiah son of Benaiah, leaders of the people. 2The Lord said to me, “Son of man, these are the men who plot evil and give wicked advice in this city. They are saying, ‘Isn’t the time near to build houses? The city is the pot, and we are the meat.’ 4Therefore, prophesy against them. Prophesy, son of man!” 5Then the Spirit of the Lord came on me, and he told me, “You are to say, ‘This is what the Lord says: That is what you are thinking, house of Israel; and I know the thoughts that arise in your mind.
Read all of Ezekiel 11Ezekiel 11:3 word by word
הָאֹ֣מְרִ֔ים לֹ֥א בְקָר֖וֹב בְּנ֣וֹת בָּתִּ֑ים הִ֣יא הַסִּ֔יר וַאֲנַ֖חְנוּ הַבָּשָֽׂר׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Ezekiel 11:3
- Ezekiel 7:7Doom has come on you, inhabitants of the land. The time has come; the day is near. There will be panic on the mountains and not celebration.
- Ezekiel 12:22“Son of man, what is this proverb you people have about the land of Israel, which goes, ‘The days keep passing by, and every vision fails’?
- Isaiah 5:19to those who say, “Let him hurry up and do his work quickly so that we can see it! Let the plan of the Holy One of Israel take place so that we can know it!”
- Jeremiah 1:11Then the word of the Lord came to me, asking, “What do you see, Jeremiah?” I replied, “I see a branch of an almond tree.”
- Amos 6:5They improvise songs to the sound of the harp and invent their own musical instruments like David.
- 2 Peter 3:4saying, “Where is his ‘coming’ that he promised? Ever since our ancestors fell asleep, all things continue as they have been since the beginning of creation.”
- Ezekiel 11:7“‘Therefore, this is what the Lord God says: The slain you have put within it are the meat, and the city is the pot, but I will take you out of it.
- Ezekiel 24:3Now speak a parable to the rebellious house. Tell them, ‘This is what the Lord God says: Put the pot on the fire — put it on, and then pour water into it!
- Jeremiah 1:13Again the word of the Lord came to me asking, “What do you see?” And I replied, “I see a boiling pot, its lip tilted from the north to the south.”
Commentaries on Ezekiel 11:3
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3It is not near - That is, the threatened invasion. This city is the caldron, and we be the flesh - See the vision of the seething pot, Jeremiah 1:13. These infidels seem to say: "We will run all risks, we will abide in the city. Though it be the caldron, and we the flesh, yet we will share its fate: if it perish, we will perish with it." Or they may allude to the above prediction of Jeremiah, in order to ridicule it: "We were to have been boiled long ago…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3It is not near - In contradiction to Ezekiel 7:2. Let us build houses - “To build houses” implies a sense of security. Jeremiah bade the exiles “build houses” in a foreign land because they would not soon quit it Jeremiah 29:5; Jeremiah 35:7. These false counselors promised to their countrymen a sure and permanent abode in the city which God had doomed to destruction. No need, they said, to go far for safety; you are perfectly safe at home. The Hebrew…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-11The Spirit showed Ezekiel God's view of Jerusalem, then let him hear the city's people. The wicked advisors claimed that although the Babylonian attack (the fire) was difficult (hot), the city's defenses (the pot) were strong enough to protect them (the meat). These advisors encouraged people to build houses on stolen land (see Ezekiel 11:15, 17), believing they would be safe. God, however, was determined to judge the wicked.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 33. It is not near--namely, the destruction of the city; therefore "let us build houses," as if there was no fear. But the Hebrew opposes English Version, which would require the infinitive absolute. Rather, "Not at hand is the building of houses." They sneer at Jeremiah's letter to the captives, among whom Ezekiel lived (Jr 29:5). "Build ye houses, and dwell in them," that is, do not fancy, as many persuade you, that your sojourn in Babylon is to be…Read the comment
Topics related to Ezekiel 11:3
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Ezekiel 11
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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