Ezekiel 33:22
New International Version
Now the evening before the man arrived, the hand of the LORD was on me, and he opened my mouth before the man came to me in the morning. So my mouth was opened and I was no longer silent.

New Living Translation
The previous evening the LORD had taken hold of me and given me back my voice. So I was able to speak when this man arrived the next morning.

English Standard Version
Now the hand of the LORD had been upon me the evening before the fugitive came; and he had opened my mouth by the time the man came to me in the morning, so my mouth was opened, and I was no longer mute.

Berean Standard Bible
Now the evening before the fugitive arrived, the hand of the LORD was upon me, and He opened my mouth before the man came to me in the morning. So my mouth was opened and I was no longer mute.

King James Bible
Now the hand of the LORD was upon me in the evening, afore he that was escaped came; and had opened my mouth, until he came to me in the morning; and my mouth was opened, and I was no more dumb.

New King James Version
Now the hand of the LORD had been upon me the evening before the man came who had escaped. And He had opened my mouth; so when he came to me in the morning, my mouth was opened, and I was no longer mute.

New American Standard Bible
Now the hand of the LORD had been upon me in the evening, before the survivors came. And He opened my mouth at the time they came to me in the morning; so my mouth was opened and I was no longer speechless.

NASB 1995
Now the hand of the LORD had been upon me in the evening, before the refugees came. And He opened my mouth at the time they came to me in the morning; so my mouth was opened and I was no longer speechless.

NASB 1977
Now the hand of the LORD had been upon me in the evening, before the refugees came. And He opened my mouth at the time they came to me in the morning; so my mouth was opened, and I was no longer speechless.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now the hand of Yahweh had been upon me in the evening, before those who escaped came. And He opened my mouth at the time they came to me in the morning; so my mouth was opened, and I was no longer mute.

Amplified Bible
Now the hand of the LORD had been upon me in the evening, before the survivor came. And He opened my mouth at the time he came to me in the morning; so my mouth was opened [in readiness] and I was no longer mute.

Christian Standard Bible
Now the hand of the LORD had been on me the evening before the fugitive arrived, and he opened my mouth before the man came to me in the morning. So my mouth was opened and I was no longer mute.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Now the hand of the LORD had been on me the evening before the fugitive arrived, and He opened my mouth before the man came to me in the morning. So my mouth was opened and I was no longer mute.

American Standard Version
Now the hand of Jehovah had been upon me in the evening, before he that was escaped came; and he had opened my mouth, until he came to me in the morning; and my mouth was opened, and I was no more dumb.

Contemporary English Version
The evening before this man arrived at my house, the LORD had taken control of me. So when the man came to me the next morning, I could once again speak.

English Revised Version
Now the hand of the LORD had been upon me in the evening, afore he that was escaped came; and he had opened my mouth, until he came to me in the morning; and my mouth was opened, and I was no more dumb.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The evening before the refugee arrived, the power of the LORD came over me. On the morning the refugee arrived, the LORD made me speak.[]So I spoke, and I was no longer quiet.

Good News Translation
The evening before he came, I had felt the powerful presence of the LORD. When the man arrived the next morning, the LORD gave me back the power of speech.

International Standard Version
Now the hand of the LORD had been touching me the evening before that fugitive arrived, so the LORD had given me something to say by the time the messenger arrived the next morning. He opened my mouth and I no longer had nothing to say to him.

Majority Standard Bible
Now the evening before the fugitive arrived, the hand of the LORD was upon me, and He opened my mouth before the man came to me in the morning. So my mouth was opened and I was no longer mute.

NET Bible
Now the hand of the LORD had been on me the evening before the refugee reached me, but the LORD opened my mouth by the time the refugee arrived in the morning; he opened my mouth and I was no longer unable to speak.

New Heart English Bible
Now the hand of the LORD had been on me in the evening, before he who was escaped came; and he had opened my mouth, until he came to me in the morning; and my mouth was opened, and I was no more mute.

Webster's Bible Translation
Now the hand of the LORD was upon me in the evening, before he that had escaped came; and had opened my mouth, until he came to me in the morning; and my mouth was opened, and I was no more dumb.

World English Bible
Now Yahweh’s hand had been on me in the evening, before he who had escaped came; and he had opened my mouth until he came to me in the morning; and my mouth was opened, and I was no longer mute.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the hand of YHWH has been to me in the evening, before the coming in of the escaped one, and He opens my mouth until [his] coming to me in the morning, and my mouth is opened, and I have not been silent again.

Young's Literal Translation
And the hand of Jehovah hath been unto me in the evening, before the coming in of the escaped one, and He openeth my mouth till the coming in unto me in the morning, and opened is my mouth, and I have not been silent again.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the hand of Jehovah was to me in the evening, before he having escaped came; and he opened my mouth till he came to me in the morning; and he will open my mouth and I was no more dumb.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the hand of the Lord had been upon me in the evening, before he that was fled came: and he opened my mouth till he came to me in the morning, and my mouth being opened, I was silent no more.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But the hand of the Lord had been upon me in the evening, before the one who had fled arrived. And he opened my mouth, until he came to me in the morning. And since my mouth had been opened, I was no longer silent.

New American Bible
The hand of the LORD had come upon me the evening before the survivor arrived and opened my mouth when he reached me in the morning. My mouth was opened, and I was mute no longer.

New Revised Standard Version
Now the hand of the LORD had been upon me the evening before the fugitive came; but he had opened my mouth by the time the fugitive came to me in the morning; so my mouth was opened, and I was no longer unable to speak.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Now the hand of the LORD had been upon me in the evening, before he who had escaped came; and had opened my mouth, until he came to me in the morning; and my mouth was opened and I was dumb no more.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And before he who was saved had come to me, the hand of LORD JEHOVAH was upon me in the evening, and he opened my mouth until he who was saved came to me at dawn, and when my mouth was opened again, it was not shut
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Now the hand of the LORD had been upon me in the evening, before he that was escaped came; and He had opened my mouth against his coming to me in the morning; and my mouth was opened, and I was no more dumb.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Now the hand of the Lord had come upon me in the evening, before he came; and he opened my mouth, when he came to me in the morning: and my mouth was open, it was no longer kept closed.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Word of Jerusalem's Fall
21In the twelfth year of our exile, on the fifth day of the tenth month, a fugitive from Jerusalem came to me and reported, “The city has been taken!” 22Now the evening before the fugitive arrived, the hand of the LORD was upon me, and He opened my mouth before the man came to me in the morning. So my mouth was opened and I was no longer mute. 23Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,…

Cross References
Ezekiel 3:26-27
I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth, and you will be silent and unable to rebuke them, though they are a rebellious house. / But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you are to tell them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says.’ Whoever listens, let him listen; and whoever refuses, let him refuse, for they are a rebellious house.

Ezekiel 24:27
On that day your mouth will be opened to him who has escaped; you will speak and no longer be mute. So you will be a sign to them, and they will know that I am the LORD.”

Ezekiel 29:21
In that day I will cause a horn to sprout for the house of Israel, and I will open your mouth to speak among them. Then they will know that I am the LORD.”

Jeremiah 1:9
Then the LORD reached out His hand, touched my mouth, and said to me: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.

Isaiah 6:7
And with it he touched my mouth and said: “Now that this has touched your lips, your iniquity is removed and your sin is atoned for.”

Daniel 10:15-19
While he was speaking these words to me, I set my face toward the ground and became speechless. / And suddenly one with the likeness of a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and said to the one standing before me, “My lord, because of the vision, I am overcome with anguish, and I have no strength. / How can I, your servant, speak with you, my lord? Now I have no strength, nor is any breath left in me.” ...

Luke 1:20
And now you will be silent and unable to speak until the day this comes to pass, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.”

Luke 1:64
Immediately Zechariah’s mouth was opened and his tongue was released, and he began to speak, praising God.

Acts 2:4
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Acts 4:31
After they had prayed, their meeting place was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Acts 10:44-46
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard his message. / All the circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. / For they heard them speaking in tongues and exalting God. Then Peter said,

Acts 19:6
And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

1 Corinthians 14:26
What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a psalm or a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All of these must be done to build up the church.

1 Corinthians 14:39
So, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

2 Corinthians 3:12
Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.


Treasury of Scripture

Now the hand of the LORD was on me in the evening, before he that was escaped came; and had opened my mouth, until he came to me in the morning; and my mouth was opened, and I was no more dumb.

the hand

Ezekiel 1:3
The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him.

Ezekiel 3:22
And the hand of the LORD was there upon me; and he said unto me, Arise, go forth into the plain, and I will there talk with thee.

Ezekiel 37:1
The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones,

and my

Ezekiel 3:26,27
And I will make thy tongue cleave to the roof of thy mouth, that thou shalt be dumb, and shalt not be to them a reprover: for they are a rebellious house…

Ezekiel 24:26,27
That he that escapeth in that day shall come unto thee, to cause thee to hear it with thine ears? …

Jump to Previous
Afore Dumb Escaped Evening Fugitive Hand Longer Morning Mouth Mute Open Opened Openeth Ready Refugees Silent Speechless Time Voice
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Afore Dumb Escaped Evening Fugitive Hand Longer Morning Mouth Mute Open Opened Openeth Ready Refugees Silent Speechless Time Voice
Ezekiel 33
1. According to the duty of a watchman in warning the people
7. Ezekiel is admonished of his duty
10. God shows the justice of his ways toward the penitent and toward revolters
17. He maintains his justice
21. Upon the news of the taking of Jerusalem
25. he prophecies the desolation of the land
30. God's judgment upon the mockers of the prophets














Now the hand of the LORD had been upon me
The phrase "hand of the LORD" is a powerful biblical idiom often used to denote God's power, presence, and influence over a prophet or situation. In Hebrew, "hand" (יָד, yad) signifies strength and authority. This expression indicates that Ezekiel was under divine influence, prepared for the revelation and task ahead. Historically, this phrase underscores the direct intervention of God in the lives of His prophets, ensuring that His messages are delivered with authority and clarity.

the evening before the man came
The timing here is significant. "Evening" in the Hebrew context often marks the beginning of a new day, symbolizing preparation and anticipation. The "man" refers to a messenger, possibly a survivor from Jerusalem, bringing news of the city's fall. This timing highlights God's providence, preparing Ezekiel in advance for the crucial message he was to receive and communicate.

and He opened my mouth
The act of God opening Ezekiel's mouth is both literal and symbolic. In Hebrew, "opened" (פָּתַח, pathach) implies liberation and readiness. Ezekiel had been mute, a sign of judgment and a symbol of the people's spiritual deafness. This divine action signifies the restoration of Ezekiel's prophetic voice, enabling him to speak God's truth once more. It reflects the theme of renewal and the breaking of silence at God's appointed time.

before the man came to me in the morning
The phrase "in the morning" suggests a new beginning, a fresh start. Morning in biblical literature often symbolizes hope and revelation. The arrival of the man with news in the morning aligns with God's timing, emphasizing that God's plans unfold precisely and purposefully. This timing reassures believers of God's sovereignty and perfect timing in revealing His will.

So my mouth was opened, and I was no longer mute
This statement marks a pivotal moment in Ezekiel's ministry. The repetition of "opened" reinforces the idea of divine intervention and empowerment. Being "no longer mute" signifies a transition from judgment to proclamation. Ezekiel's restored ability to speak symbolizes the restoration of communication between God and His people. It serves as an encouragement to believers that God can restore and use them for His purposes, regardless of past silence or inactivity.

(22) Was upon me.--The sentence becomes clearer by translating this in the pluperf.: The hand of the Lord had been (already) upon me.

Verse 22. - Now the hand of the Lord. When the messenger arrived he found the prophet in a state of ecstasy. This was in the evening. In that prophetic ecstasy his mouth was opened, and the long silence broken, and though he had not heard the message with his outward ears, he had taken, as it were, that message as his text. It was not till his discourse was ended, and the morning came, that he himself heard the terrible tidings from the lips of the messenger. Then a change came over him. He was no more dumb. The long silence was broken. Had the silence lasted, we ask, from Ezekiel 3:26 onward? Had the whole intervening period been one of simply symbolic action, and of written but unspoken prophecies? The words at first suggest that conclusion; but it is traveled by the facts; by the commands of Ezekiel 12:10, 23; by the order to "prophesy" in Ezekiel 13:2; by the message to speak unto the elders in Ezekiel 14:4; by the question, "Doth he not speak parables?" of Ezekiel 20:49. I infer, therefore, that, though the silence had been dominant, it had not been unbroken. To some, at least, a message had been spoken. Others may have been allowed to read the written prophecies. The death of the prophet's wife tended, probably, to the continuance of the silence, and it seems a legitimate inference from Ezekiel 24:27 that it had continued from that date onward.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Now the evening
בָּעֶ֗רֶב (bā·‘e·reḇ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6153: Evening

before
לִפְנֵי֙ (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

the fugitive
הַפָּלִ֔יט (hap·pā·lîṭ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6412: Escaped one, fugitive

arrived,
בּ֣וֹא (bō·w)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

the hand
וְיַד־ (wə·yaḏ-)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3027: A hand

of the LORD
יְהוָה֩ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

was
הָיְתָ֨ה (hā·yə·ṯāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

upon me,
אֵלַ֜י (’ê·lay)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

and He opened
וַיִּפְתַּ֣ח (way·yip̄·taḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6605: To open wide, to loosen, begin, plough, carve

my mouth
פִּ֔י (pî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to

before
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

the man came
בּ֥וֹא (bō·w)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to
אֵלַ֖י (’ê·lay)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

me in the morning.
בַּבֹּ֑קֶר (bab·bō·qer)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1242: Dawn, morning

So my mouth
פִּ֔י (pî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to

was opened
וַיִּפָּ֣תַח (way·yip·pā·ṯaḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6605: To open wide, to loosen, begin, plough, carve

and I was no
וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

longer
עֽוֹד׃ (‘ō·wḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 5750: Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, more

mute.
נֶאֱלַ֖מְתִּי (ne·’ĕ·lam·tî)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 481: To tie fast, to be tongue-tied


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 33:22 Now the hand of Yahweh had been (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 33:21
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