Ezekiel 33:32
New International Version
Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice.

New Living Translation
You are very entertaining to them, like someone who sings love songs with a beautiful voice or plays fine music on an instrument. They hear what you say, but they don’t act on it!

English Standard Version
And behold, you are to them like one who sings lustful songs with a beautiful voice and plays well on an instrument, for they hear what you say, but they will not do it.

Berean Standard Bible
Indeed, you are to them like a singer of love songs with a beautiful voice, who skillfully plays an instrument. They hear your words but do not put them into practice.

King James Bible
And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.

New King James Version
Indeed you are to them as a very lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument; for they hear your words, but they do not do them.

New American Standard Bible
And behold, you are to them like a love song by one who has a beautiful voice and plays well on an instrument; for they hear your words but they do not practice them.

NASB 1995
“Behold, you are to them like a sensual song by one who has a beautiful voice and plays well on an instrument; for they hear your words but they do not practice them.

NASB 1977
“And behold, you are to them like a sensual song by one who has a beautiful voice and plays well on an instrument; for they hear your words, but they do not practice them.

Legacy Standard Bible
Behold, you are to them like a lustful song by one who has a beautiful voice and plays well on an instrument; for they hear your words but they do not do them.

Amplified Bible
Behold, you are to them like a love song by one who has a pleasant voice and plays well on a stringed instrument [merely to entertain them]; for they hear your words but do not practice them.

Christian Standard Bible
Yes, to them you are like a singer of passionate songs who has a beautiful voice and plays skillfully on an instrument. They hear your words, but they don’t obey them.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Yes, to them you are like a singer of love songs who has a beautiful voice and plays skillfully on an instrument. They hear your words, but they don’t obey them.

American Standard Version
And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument; for they hear thy words, but they do them not.

Contemporary English Version
They treat you as though you were merely singing love songs or playing music. They listen, but don't do anything you say.

English Revised Version
And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
To them you are nothing more than a singer with a beautiful voice who sings love songs or a musician who plays an instrument. They listen to your words, but they don't do them.

Good News Translation
To them you are nothing more than an entertainer singing love songs or playing a harp. They listen to all your words and don't obey a single one of them.

International Standard Version
As far as they are concerned, you sing romantic songs with a beautiful voice and play a musical instrument well. They'll listen to what you have to say, but they won't put it into practice!

Majority Standard Bible
Indeed, you are to them like a singer of love songs with a beautiful voice, who skillfully plays an instrument. They hear your words but do not put them into practice.

NET Bible
Realize that to them you are like a sensual song, a beautiful voice and skilled musician. They hear your words, but they do not obey them.

New Heart English Bible
Look, you are to them as a very lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument; for they hear your words, but they do not do them.

Webster's Bible Translation
And lo, thou art to them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do not perform them.

World English Bible
Behold, you are to them as a very lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument; for they hear your words, but they don’t do them.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And behold, you [are] as a singer of unhealthy loves to them, "" A beautiful voice, and playing well on an instrument, "" And they have heard your words, and they are not doing them.

Young's Literal Translation
And lo, thou art to them as a singer of doting loves, A pleasant voice, and playing well on an instrument, And they have heard thy words, and they are not doing them.

Smith's Literal Translation
And behold thee to them as song of loves of a fair voice, playing well an instrument: and they heard thy words and did them not.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And thou art to them as a musical song which is sung with a sweet and agreeable voice: and they hear thy words, and do them not.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And you are to them like a verse set to music, which is sung with a sweet and pleasing voice. And they hear your words, but they do not do them.

New American Bible
For them you are only a singer of love songs, with a pleasant voice and a clever touch. They listen to your words, but they do not obey them.

New Revised Standard Version
To them you are like a singer of love songs, one who has a beautiful voice and plays well on an instrument; they hear what you say, but they will not do it.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And, lo, you are to them like a song and like a pleasant voice and like the sweet sound of a harp; for they hear your words, but they do them not.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And you are considered by them as a song and like a beautiful voice and like a sweet harp, and they hear your words, and they do not act on them
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and, lo, thou art unto them as a love song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument; so they hear thy words, but they do them not--

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And thou art to them as a sound of a sweet, well-tuned psaltery, and they will hear thy words, but they will not do them.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Word of Jerusalem's Fall
31So My people come to you as usual, sit before you, and hear your words; but they do not put them into practice. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue dishonest gain. 32Indeed, you are to them like a singer of love songs with a beautiful voice, who skillfully plays an instrument. They hear your words but do not put them into practice. 33So when it comes to pass—and surely it will come—then they will know that a prophet has been among them.”…

Cross References
Matthew 7:26
But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.

James 1:22-24
Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves. / For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, / and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

Isaiah 29:13
Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men.

Matthew 15:8-9
‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. / They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’”

Luke 6:46-49
Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ but do not do what I say? / I will show you what he is like who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them: / He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid his foundation on the rock. When the flood came, the torrent crashed against that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. ...

Jeremiah 6:10
To whom can I give this warning? Who will listen to me? Look, their ears are closed, so they cannot hear. See, the word of the LORD has become offensive to them; they find no pleasure in it.

Jeremiah 7:23-24
but this is what I commanded them: Obey Me, and I will be your God, and you will be My people. You must walk in all the ways I have commanded you, so that it may go well with you. / Yet they did not listen or incline their ear, but they followed the stubborn inclinations of their own evil hearts. They went backward and not forward.

Mark 7:6-7
Jesus answered them, “Isaiah prophesied correctly about you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. / They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’

Romans 2:13
For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but it is the doers of the law who will be declared righteous.

Psalm 78:36-37
But they deceived Him with their mouths, and lied to Him with their tongues. / Their hearts were disloyal to Him, and they were unfaithful to His covenant.

2 Timothy 4:3-4
For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. / So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

John 12:47-48
As for anyone who hears My words and does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I have not come to judge the world, but to save the world. / There is a judge for the one who rejects Me and does not receive My words: The word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.

Isaiah 6:9-10
And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ / Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”

Hebrews 4:2
For we also received the good news just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, since they did not share the faith of those who comprehended it.

2 Peter 2:18-19
With lofty but empty words, they appeal to the sensual passions of the flesh and entice those who are just escaping from others who live in error. / They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves to depravity. For a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him.


Treasury of Scripture

And, see, you are to them as a very lovely song of one that has a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear your words, but they do them not.

of one

Mark 4:16,17
And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; …

Mark 6:20
For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.

John 5:35
He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.

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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














Indeed, to them you are like a singer of love songs
The phrase "singer of love songs" evokes the image of a performer who captivates an audience with emotional and melodious tunes. In the Hebrew context, the word for "singer" (שִׁיר, shir) often refers to a song or a poem, typically one that is pleasing and entertaining. Ezekiel, as a prophet, is compared to such a singer, suggesting that his messages, though profound and divinely inspired, are perceived by the people as mere entertainment rather than serious calls to action. This reflects a historical pattern where prophets were often not taken seriously by their contemporaries, despite the gravity of their messages.

with a beautiful voice
The "beautiful voice" symbolizes the allure and attractiveness of Ezekiel's delivery. The Hebrew word for "beautiful" (יָפֶה, yafeh) implies something that is aesthetically pleasing and desirable. This suggests that Ezekiel's prophetic messages were delivered with clarity and appeal, yet the people were more enamored by the presentation than the content. This can be seen as a cautionary note for believers to not be swayed merely by eloquence or charisma, but to seek the truth and substance of God's word.

who skillfully plays an instrument
The phrase "skillfully plays an instrument" highlights the proficiency and expertise with which Ezekiel communicated God's messages. The Hebrew root for "skillfully" (טוֹב, tov) conveys the idea of goodness and excellence. This indicates that Ezekiel was not only a prophet but also a masterful communicator, using his God-given talents to convey divine truths. Historically, prophets were often endowed with the ability to speak persuasively, yet the people's hearts were often hardened, preventing them from heeding the message.

They hear your words
The act of hearing in the Hebrew context (שָׁמַע, shama) goes beyond mere auditory reception; it implies understanding and obedience. The people of Israel heard Ezekiel's words, which were the very words of God, yet their response was superficial. This serves as a reminder that hearing God's word requires an active response, a theme echoed throughout Scripture, emphasizing the importance of not just being hearers but doers of the word (James 1:22).

but they do not put them into practice
This phrase underscores the disconnect between hearing and doing. The Hebrew concept of "putting into practice" (עָשָׂה, asah) involves action and implementation. The Israelites' failure to act on Ezekiel's warnings reflects a spiritual apathy and disobedience. This is a timeless warning for believers to ensure that their faith is not passive but active, manifesting in obedience and transformation. The historical context of Israel's repeated disobedience serves as a backdrop for understanding the consequences of ignoring God's commands, urging contemporary believers to live out their faith authentically.

Verse 32. - A very lovely song; literally, a song of love, an erotic idyll, the word being the same as in Ver. 31. Yet this was the meaning of the large gathering. They came to hear the prophet, as they would to hear a hired singer at a banquet, like those of Amos 6:5. The prophet's words passed over them and left no lasting impression. All that they sought was the momentary tickling of the sense. The words receive a special significance from Psalm 137:3. The Jewish exiles were famous among their conquerors for the minstrel's art. The nobler singers refused to "sing the songs of Zion in a strange land;" others, it may be, were not so scrupulous. Had the prophet seen his people gather to listen to such a singer? Were they better occupied when they were listening to his message from Jehovah.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Indeed, you [are]
וְהִנְּךָ֤ (wə·hin·nə·ḵā)
Conjunctive waw | Interjection | second person masculine singular
Strong's 2005: Lo! behold!

to them
לָהֶם֙ (lā·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

like a singer of love
עֲגָבִ֔ים (‘ă·ḡā·ḇîm)
Noun - common plural
Strong's 5690: Love, amative words

songs
כְּשִׁ֣יר (kə·šîr)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7892: A song, singing

with a beautiful
יְפֵ֥ה (yə·p̄êh)
Adjective - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3303: Fair, beautiful

voice,
ק֖וֹל (qō·wl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6963: A voice, sound

who skillfully
וּמֵטִ֣ב (ū·mê·ṭiḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 2895: To be pleasing or good

plays an instrument.
נַגֵּ֑ן (nag·gên)
Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5059: To touch or play a stringed instrument

They hear
וְשָֽׁמְעוּ֙ (wə·šā·mə·‘ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

your words
דְּבָרֶ֔יךָ (də·ḇā·re·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

but do not
אֵינָ֖ם (’ê·nām)
Adverb | third person masculine plural
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

put them into practice.
וְעֹשִׂ֥ים (wə·‘ō·śîm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 6213: To do, make


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 33:32 Behold you are to them as (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 33:31
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