What Does Ezekiel 3:17 Mean in the King James?
Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The Hebrew word for “warn” shares its root with “shine”: the watchman’s warning makes what is coming visible.
THE MEANING
You stand where attention meets responsibility: the word arrives at the mouth, enters through hearing, and becomes a warning for others. The warning’s Hebrew root also carries the sense of shining, so its force is to bring what is coming into view.
THE ROOT
וְהִזְהַרְתָּ
wehizhartā
GROWS FROM
זהר
To shine or make clear; in this verb form, to admonish or warn.
The Hebrew verb translated “give them warning” comes from זהר, which also describes shining. This keeps the warning’s force while adding the image of bringing an approaching danger into the light so it can be seen.
ALSO GROWS
hizhir: Warn, admonish, make clear.
הִזְהִיר
This verbal form shows the watchman bringing a matter clearly before others.
yazhiru: They will shine; used of the wise in Daniel 12:3.
יַזְהִרוּ
The same root connects warning with illumination: what is hidden becomes visible.
צֹפֶה
tsōfeh
GROWS FROM
צפה
To look out, gaze, or keep watch.
“Watchman” is formed from the act of watching: a צֹפֶה is one who keeps looking. The role begins in sustained attention, before the word is spoken outward.
ALSO GROWS
tsaphah: Look out, observe, watch.
צָפָה
The watchman’s name grows from the continuing act of seeing what is approaching.
mitspeh: Lookout or watchtower.
מִצְפֶּה
The same root names a place of watching, where what is coming can be seen.
וְשָׁמַעְתָּ
veshamaʿta
GROWS FROM
שמע
To hear, heed, or respond.
“hear” in this verse is veshamaʿta. The word for hearing can carry the sense of heeding and responding. Here, hearing is the hinge between the word at the mouth and the warning that reaches others.
ALSO GROWS
shamaʿ: Hear or heed.
שָׁמַע
The watchman receives the word with the kind of hearing that can lead to a response.
shemuʿah: Report, tidings, or news.
שְׁמוּעָה
The root can describe a message that is heard and carried onward.
THE PATTERN
A received word turns watchfulness into public clarity, bringing what is coming into view.
For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth.I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.THE THREAD
And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.The Hebrew verb rendered “warn” here and “shine” in Daniel share the root זהר. That connection lets the warning read as illumination: the watchman’s speech brings what lies ahead into view.
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