Ezekiel 3:17

3:17 “Son of man, I have appointed you a watchman ¹  for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you must give them a warning from me.

Ezekiel 33:6-7

33:6 But suppose the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people. Then the sword comes and takes one of their lives. He is swept away for his iniquity, ²  but I will hold the watchman accountable for that person’s death.’ ³ 

33:7 “As for you, son of man, I have made you a watchman ⁴  for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you must warn them on my behalf.

Ezekiel 33:2

33:2 “Son of man, speak to your people, ⁵  and say to them, ‘Suppose I bring a sword against the land, and the people of the land take one man from their borders and make him their watchman.

¹ tn The literal role of a watchman is described in 2 Sam 18:24; 2 Kgs 9:17.

² tn Or “in his punishment.” The phrase “in/for [a person’s] iniquity/punishment” occurs fourteen times in Ezekiel: here and in vv. 8 and 9; 3:18, 19; 4:17; 7:13, 16; 18: 17, 18, 19, 20; 24:23; 39:23. The Hebrew word for “iniquity” may also mean the “punishment” for iniquity or “guilt” of iniquity.

³ tn Heb “his blood from the hand of the watchman I will seek.”

³ sn Jeremiah (Jer 6:17) and Habakkuk (Hab 2:1) also served in the role of a watchman.

⁴ tn Heb “sons of your people.”