What does Ezekiel 17:2 mean?
"Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable unto the house of Israel;" - Ezekiel 17:2
Ezekiel 17:2 in the King James Version reads, "Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable unto the house of Israel." This verse marks the beginning of a parable that the prophet Ezekiel is instructed to tell the house of Israel. Throughout the book of Ezekiel, the prophet is called "son of man" numerous times, emphasizing his humanity and humility before God. This verse sets the stage for the parable that follows, in which Ezekiel uses metaphorical language to convey a deeper spiritual truth to the people of Israel.
The themes present in Ezekiel 17:2 are those of prophecy, rebellion, and divine judgment. Throughout the book of Ezekiel, the prophet is called to deliver difficult messages to the people of Israel, warning them of the consequences of their rebellion against God. The use of a riddle and a parable in this verse indicates that the message Ezekiel is about to deliver may be difficult for the people to understand or accept. It also serves as a literary device to engage the audience's attention and provoke them to think deeply about the spiritual truths being conveyed.
The context of Ezekiel 17:2 is important for understanding the significance of the parable that follows. The verse is part of a larger section in which Ezekiel delivers a series of prophecies and parables to the people of Israel, addressing their faithlessness and warning them of the impending judgment of God. In this particular parable, Ezekiel uses the imagery of a great eagle and a cedar tree to convey a message about the consequences of rebellion and the faithfulness of God.
The symbolism in Ezekiel 17:2 lies in the use of the terms "riddle" and "parable." A riddle is a puzzle or enigma that requires careful thought and insight to solve, while a parable is a story or metaphor that conveys a deeper moral or spiritual truth. In using these terms, Ezekiel is indicating that the message he is about to deliver is not meant to be taken at face value, but rather requires careful reflection and interpretation to fully grasp its meaning.
The message of the parable that follows Ezekiel 17:2 is one of faithfulness and judgment. The image of the great eagle taking a branch from the top of a cedar tree and planting it in fertile soil represents the powerful force of Babylon taking the king of Judah into captivity and establishing a new kingdom. However, the parable goes on to show that this action will not succeed in the long term, as God promises to bring judgment upon the faithless and exalt the faithful.
Overall, Ezekiel 17:2 and the parable that follows convey a powerful message about the consequences of rebellion against God and the faithfulness of God in bringing about justice. The use of riddles and parables serves to engage the audience and provoke them to think deeply about the spiritual truths being conveyed. The themes of prophecy, rebellion, and divine judgment are central to this passage, making it an important part of the larger message of the book of Ezekiel.
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Ezekiel 17:2 Artwork
Ezekiel 17:2 - "Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable unto the house of Israel;"
"Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable unto the house of Israel;" - Ezekiel 17:2
Ezekiel 3:17
Ezekiel 17:1 - "And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"
Ezekiel 12:17 - "¶ Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying,"
Ezekiel 22:17 - "And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"
Ezekiel 17:11 - "¶ Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"
Ezekiel 1:17 - "When they went, they went upon their four sides: and they turned not when they went."
Ezekiel 4:17 - "That they may want bread and water, and be astonied one with another, and consume away for their iniquity."
Ezekiel 7:17 - "All hands shall be feeble, and all knees shall be weak as water."
Ezekiel 17:17 - "Neither shall Pharaoh with his mighty army and great company make for him in the war, by casting up mounts, and building forts, to cut off many persons:"
Ezekiel 37:17 - "And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand."
Ezekiel 17:14 - "That the kingdom might be base, that it might not lift itself up, but that by keeping of his covenant it might stand."
Ezekiel 30:17 - "The young men of Aven and of Pi-beseth shall fall by the sword: and these cities shall go into captivity."
Ezekiel 42:17 - "He measured the north side, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed round about."
Ezekiel 33:17 - "¶ Yet the children of thy people say, The way of the Lord is not equal: but as for them, their way is not equal."
Ezekiel 47:17 - "And the border from the sea shall be Hazar-enan, the border of Damascus, and the north northward, and the border of Hamath. And this is the north side."
Ezekiel 32:17 - "¶ It came to pass also in the twelfth year, in the fifteenth day of the month, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"
"And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying," - Ezekiel 17:1
"¶ Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying," - Ezekiel 12:17
Ezekiel 21:17 - "I will also smite mine hands together, and I will cause my fury to rest: I the LORD have said it."
Ezekiel 20:17 - "Nevertheless mine eye spared them from destroying them, neither did I make an end of them in the wilderness."
"And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying," - Ezekiel 22:17
Ezekiel 41:17 - "To that above the door, even unto the inner house, and without, and by all the wall round about within and without, by measure."
Ezekiel 17:4 - "He cropped off the top of his young twigs, and carried it into a land of traffick; he set it in a city of merchants."
Ezekiel 23:17 - "And the Babylonians came to her into the bed of love, and they defiled her with their whoredom, and she was polluted with them, and her mind was alienated from them."
Ezekiel 29:17 - "¶ And it came to pass in the seven and twentieth year, in the first month, in the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"
Ezekiel 27:17 - "Judah, and the land of Israel, they were thy merchants: they traded in thy market wheat of Minnith, and Pannag, and honey, and oil, and balm."
Ezekiel 10:17 - "When they stood, these stood; and when they were lifted up, these lifted up themselves also: for the spirit of the living creature was in them."
Ezekiel 17:8 - "It was planted in a good soil by great waters, that it might bring forth branches, and that it might bear fruit, that it might be a goodly vine."