What Does Ezekiel 33:7 Mean in the King James?
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 them 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 watchman’s warning is received illumination made audible: first the word reaches the watcher, then it reaches the people.
THE MEANING
You stand as a lookout for the people around you, receiving the word before carrying its warning outward. The message is not your own verdict; it comes from the mouth that sends you.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It dissolves the idea that noticing danger is enough: the watcher’s charge includes voicing the warning received.
THE ROOT
וְהִזְהַרְתָּ
vehizhartā
GROWS FROM
זהר
z-h-r
To shine or be radiant; in the causative form, to warn or admonish.
“warn” in this verse is vehizhartā. The root also carries the sense of shining, so warning holds an image of making something visible: the alert casts light on danger. The watchman gives voice to what has first been received.
ALSO GROWS
nizhar: Warned, cautioned.
נִזְהָר
Psalm 19:11 uses this same root for the servant being warned by the words; the warning is something received before it is carried onward.
zōhar: Radiance, brightness.
זֹהַר
This branch makes the word’s illuminating quality visible: the warning brings what matters into view.
צֹפֶה
tsofeh
GROWS FROM
צפה
ṣ-p-h
To look out, keep watch, or observe.
“watchman” in this verse is tsofeh. The Hebrew names an active lookout, one who keeps looking out. The role begins with attention, before the word is spoken.
ALSO GROWS
tsaphah: To look out, watch for, or wait for.
צָפָה
The verb shows the watchman’s work as sustained attention, not merely holding a title.
mitzpeh: A lookout or watchtower.
מִצְפֶּה
The related noun names the place from which one watches, echoing the watchman’s position of alert attention.
תִּשְׁמַע
tishmaʿ
GROWS FROM
שמע
sh-m-ʿ
To hear, listen, heed, and respond.
“hear” in this verse is tishmaʿ. This hearing is more than sound reaching the ear: the root carries the movement from listening into response. The watchman receives the word at God’s mouth, then speaks its warning.
ALSO GROWS
shemaʿ: Hear and respond.
שְׁמַע
This familiar form holds listening and response together, matching the verse’s movement from hearing the word to warning others.
shemuʿah: A report or message heard.
שְׁמוּעָה
This branch links hearing with a report that can be carried from one person to another.
THE PATTERN
A received word turns watchfulness into an alert for others.
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.For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth.Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.THE THREAD
Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.The Hebrew word translated “warn” here shares the root זהר (z-h-r) with Ezekiel’s charge to warn the people. In the psalm the servant receives the warning through the words; in Ezekiel the watchman gives that warning a voice.
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