| 2. Linguistic Exegesis The address opens with ben-adam {בֶּן־אָדָם | bēn ʾāḏām} ‘son of man’, marking Ezekiel’s human role against divine sovereignty. The Niphal imperative hinnāʾbē {הִנָּבֵא | hinnāʾbēʾ} ‘prophesy’ issues the prophetic command. The construction hinnāʾbē ʼel nəḇîʾê yiśrāʾēl {הִנָּבֵא אֶל־נְבִיאֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל | hinnāʾbēʾ ʼel nᵊḇîʾê yiśrāʾēl} ‘prophesy against the prophets of Israel’ uses the preposition ʼel with prophets to signal a judgment oracle. The participle hannibbāʼîm {הַנִּבָּאִים | hannibbaʾîm} ‘those prophesying’ specifies active false prophets. The vav-consecutive Qal perfect wəʾāmarṯā {וְאָמַרְתָּ | wəʾāmarṯā} ‘and you shall say’ introduces the ensuing direct speech. The construct linəḇîʾê millibbām {לִנְבִיאֵי מִלִּבָּם | linᵊḇîʾê millibām} ‘to the prophets from their own heart’ contrasts human-derived prophecy with divine revelation. The imperative šimʿû {שִׁמְעוּ | šimʿû} ‘hear’ conveys obedient listening. The construct dəḇār Yahweh {דְּבַר־יְהוָה | dəḇār Yəhōwāh} ‘word of the LORD’ denotes authoritative divine communication. |