Ezekiel 12:22

Modern

“Son of man, what is this proverb that you have in the land of Israel: ‘The days go by, and every vision fails’?

Traditional

Son of man, what is that proverb that ye have in the land of Israel, saying, The days are prolonged, and every vision faileth?

Literal

“Son of man, what is this proverb for you over the land of Israel, saying, ‘The days are prolonged, and every vision perishes’?

Latin

Fili hominis, quod est proverbium istud vobis in terra Israël, dicentium: In longum differentur dies, et peribit omnis visio?

Hebrew

English

“Son of man, what is this proverb that you have in the land of Israel: ‘The days go by, and every vision fails’?

Ezekiel’s hearers did not want to listen to the message of the prophets. They were unwilling to accept what God was saying.

Because of this, they created a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that expresses a common belief. This proverb showed their doubt and disbelief.

The messages in this section address the issue of true and false prophecy.

Theme notes and profiles

Ezekiel 18:2–3
“What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel: ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the teeth of the children are set on edge’?
Ezekiel 11:3
They are saying, ‘Is not the time near to build houses? The city is the cooking pot, and we are the meat.’
Ezekiel 12:27
“Son of man, take note that the house of Israel is saying, ‘The vision that he sees is for many years from now; he prophesies about the distant future.’
2 Peter 3:3–4
Most importantly, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.
Amos 6:3
You dismiss the day of calamity and bring near a reign of violence.
Isaiah 5:19
…to those who say, “Let Him hurry and hasten His work so that we may see it! Let the plan of the Holy One of Israel come so that we may know it!”
Jeremiah 23:33–40
“Now when this people or a prophet or priest asks you, ‘What is the burden of the LORD?’ you are to say to them, ‘What burden? I will forsake you, declares the LORD.’
Jeremiah 5:12–13
They have lied about the LORD and said: “He will not do anything; harm will not come to us; we will not see sword or famine.
Ezekiel 16:44
Behold, all who speak in proverbs will quote this proverb about you: ‘Like mother, like daughter.’

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes