Ezekiel 2:6

2:6 But you, son of man, do not fear them, and do not fear their words – even though briers ¹  and thorns ²  surround you and you live among scorpions – do not fear their words and do not be terrified of the looks they give you, ³  for they are a rebellious house!

Ezekiel 2:8

2:8 As for you, son of man, listen to what I am saying to you: Do not rebel like that rebellious house! Open your mouth and eat what I am giving you.”

Ezekiel 3:27

3:27 But when I speak with you, I will loosen your tongue ⁴  and you must say to them, ‘This is what the sovereign Lord says.’ Those who listen will listen, but the indifferent will refuse, ⁵  for they are a rebellious house.

Ezekiel 12:2-3

12:2 “Son of man, you are living in the midst of a rebellious house. ⁶  They have eyes to see, but do not see, and ears to hear, but do not hear, ⁷  because they are a rebellious house.

12:3 “Therefore, son of man, pack up your belongings as if for exile. During the day, while they are watching, pretend to go into exile. Go from where you live to another place. Perhaps they will understand, ⁸  although they are a rebellious house.

¹ tn The Hebrew term occurs only here in the OT.

² tn The Hebrew term is found elsewhere in the OT only in Ezek 28:24.

³ tn Heb “of their faces.”

⁴ tn Heb “open your mouth.”

⁵ tn Heb “the listener will listen, the refuser will refuse.” Because the word for listening can also mean obeying, the nuance may be that the obedient will listen, or that the one who listens will obey. Also, although the verbs are not jussive as pointed in the MT, some translate them with a volitive sense: “the one who listens – let that one listen, the one who refuses – let that one refuse.”

⁷ sn The book of Ezekiel frequently refers to the Israelites as a rebellious house (Ezek 2:5, 6, 8; 3:9, 26-27; 12:2-3, 9, 25; 17:12; 24:3).

⁸ sn This verse is very similar to Isa 6:9-10.

¹⁰ tn Heb “see.” This plays on the uses of “see” in v. 2. They will see his actions with their eyes and perhaps they will “see” with their mind, that is, understand or grasp the point.