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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ezekiel 17:2 "Son of man, pose a riddle; speak a parable to the house of Israel</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ezekiel/17-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/26_Ezk_17_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ezekiel 17:2 - The Parable of Two Eagles and a Vine" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Son of man, pose a riddle; speak a parable to the house of Israel" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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speak a parable to the house of Israel<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/17.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable unto the house of Israel;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ezekiel/17.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“Son of man, pose a riddle, and speak a parable to the house of Israel,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ezekiel/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Son of man, ask a riddle and present a parable to the house of Israel,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/17.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Son of man, propound a riddle and speak a parable to the house of Israel,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ezekiel/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Son of man, propound a riddle, and speak a parable to the house of Israel,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ezekiel/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“Son of man, propound a riddle and speak a parable to the house of Israel,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ezekiel/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Son of man, ask a riddle and tell a parable to the house of Israel,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ezekiel/17.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Son of man, pose a riddle and speak a parable to the house of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ezekiel/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Son of man, pose a riddle and speak a parable to the house of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ezekiel/17.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable unto the house of Israel;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ezekiel/17.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Ezekiel, son of man, tell the people of Israel the following story, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ezekiel/17.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable unto the house of Israel;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ezekiel/17.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Son of man, tell this riddle. Give this illustration to the nation of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ezekiel/17.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"Mortal man," he said, "tell the Israelites a parable <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ezekiel/17.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Son of Man, compose a riddle and relate a parable to Israel's house. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ezekiel/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?Son of man, pose a riddle; speak a parable to the house of Israel<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ezekiel/17.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"Son of man, offer a riddle, and tell a parable to the house of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ezekiel/17.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable to the house of Israel;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ezekiel/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable to the house of Israel;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ezekiel/17.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“Son of man, tell a riddle, and speak a parable to the house of Israel; <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ezekiel/17.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />“Son of man, put forth a riddle, and use an allegory to the house of Israel,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ezekiel/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'Son of man, put forth a riddle, and use a simile unto the house of Israel,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ezekiel/17.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Son of man, propose an enigma and use a parable to the house of Israel;<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ezekiel/17.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable to the house of Israel, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ezekiel/17.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />“Son of man, propose an enigma and describe a parable to the house of Israel,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ezekiel/17.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Son of man, propose a riddle, and tell this proverb to the house of Israel:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ezekiel/17.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />O mortal, propound a riddle, and speak an allegory to the house of Israel.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ezekiel/17.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Son of man, put forth a riddle and speak a parable to the house of Israel,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ezekiel/17.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />“Son of man, riddle a riddle and parable a parable upon those of the house of Israel<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ezekiel/17.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable unto the house of Israel,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ezekiel/17.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Son of man, relate a tale, and speak a parable to the house of Israel:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ezekiel/17-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vET3Gmwku4s?start=4182" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/17.htm">The Parable of Two Eagles and a Vine</a></span><br><span class="reftext">1</span>Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying, <span class="reftext">2</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ben- (N-msc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">“Son</a> <a href="/hebrew/120.htm" title="120: ’ā·ḏām (N-ms) -- Man, mankind. From 'adam; ruddy i.e. A human being.">of man,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2330.htm" title="2330: ḥūḏ (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To propound a riddle. A primitive root; properly, to tie a knot, i.e. to propound a riddle.">pose</a> <a href="/hebrew/2420.htm" title="2420: ḥî·ḏāh (N-fs) -- A riddle, an enigmatic, perplexing saying or question. From chuwd; a puzzle, hence, a trick, conundrum, sententious maxim.">a riddle;</a> <a href="/hebrew/4911.htm" title="4911: ū·mə·šōl (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- Denominative from mashal; to liken, i.e. to use figurative language; intransitively, to resemble.">speak a parable</a> <a href="/hebrew/4912.htm" title="4912: mā·šāl (N-ms) -- A proverb, parable. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: bêṯ (N-msc) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">the house</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">of Israel</a> </span><span class="reftext">3</span>and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘A great eagle with great wings and long pinions, full of feathers of many colors, came to Lebanon and took away the top of the cedar.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/13-34.htm">Matthew 13:34-35</a></span><br />Jesus spoke all these things to the crowds in parables. He did not tell them anything without using a parable. / So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: “I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden since the foundation of the world.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/78-2.htm">Psalm 78:2</a></span><br />I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the beginning,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/4-33.htm">Mark 4:33-34</a></span><br />With many such parables Jesus spoke the word to them, to the extent that they could understand. / He did not tell them anything without using a parable. But privately He explained everything to His own disciples.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/12-10.htm">Hosea 12:10</a></span><br />I spoke through the prophets and multiplied their visions; I gave parables through the prophets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/5-1.htm">Isaiah 5:1-7</a></span><br />I will sing for my beloved a song of his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. / He dug it up and cleared the stones and planted the finest vines. He built a watchtower in the middle and dug out a winepress as well. He waited for the vineyard to yield good grapes, but the fruit it produced was sour! / “And now, O dwellers of Jerusalem and men of Judah, I exhort you to judge between Me and My vineyard. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/21-33.htm">Matthew 21:33-45</a></span><br />Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it, and built a tower. Then he rented it out to some tenants and went away on a journey. / When the harvest time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit. / But the tenants seized his servants. They beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/9-7.htm">Judges 9:7-15</a></span><br />When this was reported to Jotham, he climbed to the top of Mount Gerizim, raised his voice, and cried out: “Listen to me, O leaders of Shechem, and may God listen to you. / One day the trees set out to anoint a king for themselves. They said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us.’ / But the olive tree replied, ‘Should I stop giving my oil that honors both God and man, to hold sway over the trees?’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/8-10.htm">Luke 8:10</a></span><br />He replied, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, ‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/6-9.htm">Isaiah 6:9-10</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/13-10.htm">Matthew 13:10-13</a></span><br />Then the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Why do You speak to the people in parables?” / He replied, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. / Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/12-1.htm">2 Samuel 12:1-4</a></span><br />Then the LORD sent Nathan to David, and when he arrived, he said, “There were two men in a certain city, one rich and the other poor. / The rich man had a great number of sheep and cattle, / but the poor man had nothing except one small ewe lamb that he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food and drank from his cup; it slept in his arms and was like a daughter to him. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/10-6.htm">John 10:6</a></span><br />Jesus spoke to them using this illustration, but they did not understand what He was telling them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/13-1.htm">Jeremiah 13:1-11</a></span><br />This is what the LORD said to me: “Go and buy yourself a linen loincloth and put it around your waist, but do not let it touch water.” / So I bought a loincloth in accordance with the word of the LORD, and I put it around my waist. / Then the word of the LORD came to me a second time: ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/13-24.htm">Matthew 13:24-30</a></span><br />Jesus put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. / But while everyone was asleep, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and slipped away. / When the wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the weeds also appeared. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/20-35.htm">1 Kings 20:35-43</a></span><br />Meanwhile, by the word of the LORD, one of the sons of the prophets said to his companion, “Strike me, please!” But the man refused to strike him. / Then the prophet said to him, “Because you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD, as soon as you depart from me a lion will kill you.” And when he left, a lion found him and killed him. / Then the prophet found another man and said, “Strike me, please!” So the man struck him and wounded him, ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable to the house of Israel;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/20-49.htm">Ezekiel 20:49</a></b></br> Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! they say of me, Doth he not speak parables?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/9-8.htm">Judges 9:8-15</a></b></br> The trees went forth <i>on a time</i> to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/14-12.htm">Judges 14:12-19</a></b></br> And Samson said unto them, I will now put forth a riddle unto you: if ye can certainly declare it me within the seven days of the feast, and find <i>it</i> out, then I will give you thirty sheets and thirty change of garments: … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/1-6.htm">Allegory</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-45.htm">Children</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-13.htm">Comparison</a> <a href="/ezekiel/12-12.htm">Dark</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-14.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/ezekiel/14-11.htm">House</a> <a href="/ezekiel/14-11.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-4.htm">Parable</a> <a href="/judges/14-13.htm">Propound</a> <a href="/psalms/49-4.htm">Riddle</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-44.htm">Simile</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-44.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-44.htm">Use</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezekiel/24-3.htm">Allegory</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-15.htm">Children</a> <a href="/ezekiel/19-10.htm">Comparison</a> <a href="/ezekiel/30-18.htm">Dark</a> <a href="/ezekiel/17-6.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/ezekiel/17-12.htm">House</a> <a href="/ezekiel/17-23.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/ezekiel/24-3.htm">Parable</a> <a href="/judges/14-12.htm">Propound</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-6.htm">Riddle</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-3.htm">Simile</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-3.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-2.htm">Use</a><div class="vheading2">Ezekiel 17</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/17-1.htm">Under the parable of two eagles and a vine</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/17-11.htm">is shown God's judgment upon Jerusalem for revolting from Babylon to Egypt</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/17-22.htm">God promises to plant the cedar of the Gospel</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ezekiel/17.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ezekiel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ezekiel/17.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Son of man</b><br>This phrase is a title used frequently in the book of Ezekiel, emphasizing the prophet's humanity in contrast to God's divinity. It underscores Ezekiel's role as a representative of humanity, chosen to deliver God's messages. The term "son of man" is also used in the New Testament, particularly in reference to Jesus Christ, highlighting His incarnation and role as the mediator between God and humanity.<p><b>pose a riddle</b><br>Riddles in the biblical context often contain hidden meanings or truths that require discernment to understand. This method of communication is used to engage the audience, prompting them to think deeply about the message. In the ancient Near East, riddles were a common form of teaching, often used to convey wisdom or moral lessons. Here, the riddle serves as a vehicle for divine revelation, challenging the listeners to seek understanding.<p><b>speak a parable</b><br>Parables are simple stories used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. In the Bible, they are often employed to reveal truths about God's kingdom in a way that is accessible yet profound. Jesus frequently used parables in His teachings, and Ezekiel's use of a parable here aligns with this tradition, providing a narrative that conveys deeper spiritual truths about Israel's situation and God's plans.<p><b>to the house of Israel</b><br>The "house of Israel" refers to the collective people of Israel, God's chosen nation. At this time, Israel was in exile, facing the consequences of their disobedience and idolatry. The message is directed to them as a call to repentance and understanding of their current plight. This phrase also connects to the broader biblical narrative of God's covenant relationship with Israel, highlighting themes of judgment, redemption, and restoration.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/e/ezekiel.htm">Ezekiel</a></b><br>A prophet called by God to deliver His messages to the people of Israel during their exile in Babylon. Known for his vivid visions and symbolic actions.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/h/house_of_israel.htm">House of Israel</a></b><br>Refers to the people of Israel, particularly those in exile. They are the audience of Ezekiel's prophetic messages and parables.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/b/babylon.htm">Babylon</a></b><br>The empire where the Israelites were exiled. It serves as the backdrop for many of Ezekiel's prophecies.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/r/riddle_and_parable.htm">Riddle and Parable</a></b><br>Literary devices used by Ezekiel to convey deeper spiritual truths. A riddle is a statement or question requiring thought to understand, while a parable is a simple account used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_parables.htm">The Power of Parables</a></b><br>Parables are a powerful teaching tool that engage the listener's mind and heart, prompting deeper reflection and understanding of spiritual truths.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_god's_messages.htm">Understanding God's Messages</a></b><br>Just as the Israelites needed to discern the meaning of Ezekiel's parables, we are called to seek understanding of God's Word through prayer and study.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_prophets.htm">The Role of Prophets</a></b><br>Prophets like Ezekiel were chosen to communicate God's messages, often using creative means to capture attention and convey important truths.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_discernment.htm">Spiritual Discernment</a></b><br>Developing spiritual discernment is crucial for interpreting the riddles and parables in Scripture, allowing us to apply God's wisdom to our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_communication_with_his_people.htm">God's Communication with His People</a></b><br>God uses various methods to communicate with His people, emphasizing the importance of being attentive and receptive to His voice.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ezekiel_17.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 17</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_pelagius.htm">What riddles are found in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_a_parable.htm">What defines a parable?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_riddles_are_found_in_the_bible.htm">What riddles are found in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_ezekiel_17_12-15_conflict_with_2_kings.htm">Does Ezekiel 17:12-15's account of Zedekiah's rebellion against Babylon conflict with the historical timeline recorded in 2 Kings 24-25?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ezekiel/17.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(2) <span class= "bld">A riddle . . .</span> <span class= "bld">a parable.</span>--What the prophet has to say is called a riddle as well as a parable, because there is something in it recondite and obscure--something which, until it is explained, should excite the minds of the people to guess its meaning.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ezekiel/17.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 2.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Put forth a riddle,</span> etc. Again there is an interval of silence, till another theme is suggested to the prophet's mind and worked out elaborately. This he describes as a "riddle" (same word as the "dark speeches" of <a href="/numbers/12-8.htm">Numbers 12:8</a>, the "hard questions" of <a href="/1_kings/10-1.htm">1 Kings 10:1</a>). It will task the ingenuity of his hearers or readers to interpret it, and so he subjoins (vers. 12-24) the interpretation. That interpretation enables us to fix the occasion and the date of the prophecy. It was the time when Zedekiah was seeking to strengthen himself against Nebuchadnezzar by an Egyptian alliance. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ezekiel/17-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">“Son</span><br /><span class="heb">בֶּן־</span> <span class="translit">(ben-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of man,</span><br /><span class="heb">אָדָ֕ם</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḏām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_120.htm">Strong's 120: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ruddy, a human being</span><br /><br /><span class="word">pose</span><br /><span class="heb">ח֥וּד</span> <span class="translit">(ḥūḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2330.htm">Strong's 2330: </a> </span><span class="str2">To tie a, knot, to propound a, riddle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a riddle;</span><br /><span class="heb">חִידָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(ḥî·ḏāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2420.htm">Strong's 2420: </a> </span><span class="str2">A riddle, an enigmatic, perplexing saying or question</span><br /><br /><span class="word">speak a parable</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמְשֹׁ֣ל</span> <span class="translit">(ū·mə·šōl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4911.htm">Strong's 4911: </a> </span><span class="str2">To liken, to use, language, in, to resemble</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the house</span><br /><span class="heb">בֵּ֖ית</span> <span class="translit">(bêṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> </span><span class="str2">A house</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Israel</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·rā·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> </span><span class="str2">Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ezekiel/17-2.htm">Ezekiel 17:2 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ezekiel/17-2.htm">Ezekiel 17:2 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ezekiel/17-2.htm">Ezekiel 17:2 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/17-2.htm">Ezekiel 17:2 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/17-2.htm">Ezekiel 17:2 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ezekiel/17-2.htm">Ezekiel 17:2 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ezekiel/17-2.htm">Ezekiel 17:2 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ezekiel/17-2.htm">Ezekiel 17:2 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ezekiel/17-2.htm">Ezekiel 17:2 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ezekiel/17-2.htm">Ezekiel 17:2 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ezekiel/17-2.htm">OT Prophets: Ezekiel 17:2 Son of man put forth a riddle (Ezek. Eze Ezk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ezekiel/17-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ezekiel 17:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 17:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ezekiel/17-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ezekiel 17:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 17:3" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>