Ezekiel 2:6 · Bible study
Ezekiel 2:6 Commentary: Study: Fear Not Among Briers and Scorpions
Hebrew · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Explore the meaning of briers, thorns, and scorpions in Ezekiel 2:6. God's command to not fear equips the prophet for mission amid hostile opposition.
Research Summary
- Meaning: God commands the prophet not to fear hostile opponents, assuring him of divine support.
- Key words: Briers and thorns (grievous men), scorpions (venomous enemies), rebellious house (stubborn, rebellious people).
- Main debate: Whether “briers” translates Hebrew “sarabim” as “rebels” or as “briers.” Majority opts for the plant metaphor.
- Theological theme: Divine call overcomes human intimidation; success is measured by faithfulness, not by reception.
- Best use: Encouragement for believers facing verbal abuse, persecution, or the temptation to compromise under pressure.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
But you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns surround you, and you dwell among scorpions. Do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their presence, though they are a rebellious house.
WEB World English Bible 2000
You, son of man, don’t be afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you, and you dwell among scorpions. Don’t be afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they are a rebellious house.
KJV King James Version 1769
And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they are a rebellious house.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
`And thou, son of man, thou art not afraid of them, yea, of their words thou art not afraid, for briers and thorns are with thee, and near scorpions thou art dwelling, of their words thou art not afraid, and of their faces thou art not affrighted, for they are a rebellious house,
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, and be not afraid of their words; for briars and thorns are with thee, and thou dwellest among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, and be not dismayed at their faces; for they are a rebellious house.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And thou, O son of man, fear not, neither be thou afraid of their words: for thou art among unbelievers and destroyers, and thou dwellest with scorpions. Fear not their words, neither be thou dismayed at their looks: for they are a provoking house.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Y tú, hijo del hombre, no temas de ellos, ni tengas miedo de sus palabras, aunque te hallas entre zarzas y espinas, y tú moras con escorpiones: no tengas miedo de sus palabras, ni temas delante de ellos, porque son casa rebelde.
E tu, filho do homem, não os temas, nem temas suas palavras, ainda que estejas entre sarças e espinheiros, e tu habites com escorpiões; não temas suas palavras, nem te espantes pela presença deles, ainda que sejam uma casa rebelde.
Et toi, fils de l’ homme, ne les crains pas et ne crains pas leurs discours, quoique tu aies auprès de toi des ronces et des épines, et que tu habites avec des scorpions; ne crains pas leurs discours et ne t’ effraie pas de leurs visages, quoiqu’ ils soient une famille de rebelles.
Und du Menschenkind, sollst dich vor ihnen nicht fürchten noch vor ihren Worten fürchten. Es sind wohl widerspenstige und stachlige Dornen bei dir, und du wohnst unter Skorpionen; aber du sollst dich nicht fürchten vor ihren Worten noch vor ihrem Angesicht dich entsetzen, ob sie wohl ein ungehorsames Haus sind,
En gij, mensenkind! vrees niet voor hen, en vrees niet voor hun woorden, hoewel wederwilligen en doornen bij u zijn, en gij bij schorpioenen woont; vrees voor hun woorden niet, en ontzet u niet voor hun aangezicht, want zij zijn een wederspannig huis.
E tu, figliuol d’uomo, non aver paura di loro, né delle loro parole, giacché tu stai colle ortiche e colle spine, e abiti fra gli scorpioni; non aver paura delle loro parole, non ti sgomentare davanti a loro, poiché sono una casa ribelle.
Ale ty, synu człowieczy! nie bój się ich, ani się lękaj słów ich, że odporni a jako ciernie są przeciwko tobie, a że między niedźwiadkami mieszkasz; słów ich nie bój się, ani się twarzy ich lękaj, przeto, że domem odpornym są.
А ты, сын человеческий, не бойся их и не бойся речей их, если они волчцами и тернами будут для тебя, и ты будешь жить у скорпионов; не бойся речей их и не страшись лица их, ибо они мятежный дом;
人 子啊，雖 有荊棘 和蒺藜 在你那裡，你 又住 在 蠍子中間， 總不要 怕 他們，也不要 怕 他們的話；他們 雖 是悖逆 之家，還不要 怕 他們的話，也不要 因他們的臉色 驚惶。
And you, son of man, have no fear of them or of their words, even if sharp thorns are round you and you are living among scorpions: have no fear of their words and do not be overcome by their looks, for they are an uncontrolled people.
Verse in Context
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree this verse delivers a divine command for courage in the face of certain opposition. Calvin sees God arming the prophet with “impregnable confidence” against threats and calumnies, especially from hypocrites who claim divine authority. The Cambridge Bible identifies “briers and thorns” as figures for intractable and injurious men, and scorpions for those who strike and sting. Gill expands this: wicked men are like briers, grieving, pricking, and useless, and like scorpions, subtle, venomous, and always ready to harm. Matthew Henry emphasizes that the fear of man brings a snare, so God repeats the command three times: “be not afraid of them … neither be afraid of their words … nor be dismayed at their looks.” The repeated prohibition points to the real danger of intimidation. The grounds for courage, as Calvin notes, lie not in the prophet's strength but in the reality that God sends him and will sustain him. The people “are a rebellious house”, that fact alone makes opposition inevitable, yet God's commission carries its own protection. The success of the mission does not depend on the people's response but on the prophet's faithful delivery of God's words.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: God commands the prophet not to fear the hostile people, and the mission's success is measured by obedience, not by the audience's response.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Fear not command | All traditions see this as a divine mandate for courage in prophetic ministry. | Some emphasize that courage comes from divine empowerment; others stress the duty to speak regardless of consequences. |
| Meaning of briers and scorpions | They symbolize hostile and dangerous people. | Minor debate whether 'briers' should be translated as 'rebels' (margin) or as a plant metaphor (majority). The Targum and Jewish commentators see them as rebelliousness; Christian commentators usually retain the plant metaphor. |
| Prophet's success | Success is defined by obedience in delivering God's word, not by the people's response. | Some traditions tie this to predestination and the ineffectiveness of external means; others insist that even rejected proclamation achieves God's purpose of witness. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Ezekiel received this commission during the Babylonian exile, likely around 593 BC, among a community of Judahites who had been deported eleven years earlier. The verse stands in the immediate context of the prophet's call narrative (chapters 1, 3). God has just described the people as “a nation of rebels” (2:3), “impudent and stiff-hearted” (2:4). The imagery of briers, thorns, and scorpions reflects the real dangers of life in the ancient Near East. Briers and thorns grew wild and could wound travelers; scorpions were a daily threat in the dry climate, their sting capable of killing a child or sick adult. Originally the terms may have been proverbial for malicious persons. The Cambridge Bible states they “are figures for intractable and injurious men.” Gill connects them to the wicked (citing 2 Samuel 23:6, 7) who are “grieving, pricking, and distressing to good men.” The Targum paraphrases “scorpions” as “a people whose works are like to scorpions.” The command “do not be afraid” is given three times in this single verse, a repetition that mirrors the emphatic style of ancient Near Eastern covenants. The prophet must face verbal attack, “their words”, and hostile looks. God's encouragement is not to remove the danger but to override the fear. The charge is to speak God's words “whether they will hear, or whether they will refuse” (2:7). Thus the historical setting of exile, deception, and rebellion sets the stage for a ministry that would require superhuman courage.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for Ezekiel 2:6. The verse appears consistently in Hebrew manuscripts and ancient versions. A marginal reading in some English translations (e.g., KJV margin) offers “rebels” for “briers,” but this reflects a lexical interpretation rather than a textual variant.
Reception History
The early church saw Ezekiel's commission as a model for apostolic fearlessness. Medieval commentators often allegorized the scorpions as demons or heretics challenging the faithful. During the Reformation, Calvin and the Geneva Bible emphasized the command as a pattern for pastors confronting corrupt religious authorities. In modern times, missionaries and persecuted believers have drawn strength from this verse, finding a promise that God's presence outweighs human threat. The repeated “do not be afraid” has been cited in martyr literature and sung in hymns of courage across traditions.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Do Not Fear: The repeated command is the center. God does not say the danger is unreal; He says fear is not to control the prophet's actions.
- The Hostile Setting: Briers, thorns, and scorpions symbolize people who wound with words and looks. The prophet must see them clearly without being paralyzed by them.
- The Ground of Courage: The people “are a rebellious house”, their opposition is predictable, but God's sending is the decisive reality.
Five-point outline
- Recognize the danger for what it is: people like thorns and scorpions.
- Resist intimidation: do not be afraid of words or looks.
- Rely on God's commission: you are sent by God, not by your own ambition.
- Remember that success is obedience: speak whether they hear or refuse.
- Reflect God's character: do not become rebellious like them; stay faithful.
Illustration hooks
- A teacher entering a classroom where students mock every attempt to instruct, the authority of the lesson is not determined by the reception.
- A whistleblower who faces threats and character assassination, the truth of the message stands apart from the comfort of the messenger.
- A parent trying to correct a rebellious teenager whose angry looks and bitter words test patience, the command to speak in love remains.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why does God let His people suffer when they are doing what He asks?
- How do I handle verbal abuse without becoming afraid or bitter?
- Does “do not be afraid” mean I should be reckless or just trust God in the danger?
Leading a Discussion
This verse confronts us with the reality that obedience to God often places us in the path of hostile words and angry looks. The command “do not be afraid” is not a suggestion but a repeated charge. As you study this passage, think about where fear has silenced you and how God's call gives the courage to speak.
Discussion questions
- What do the images of briers, thorns, and scorpions tell you about the people Ezekiel faced?
- Why does God repeat the command not to be afraid three times in one verse?
- How do “their words” and “their looks” function as weapons against the prophet?
- In what ways do you see this pattern today, hostile speech and intimidating presence used to silence truth?
- What does the phrase “though they are a rebellious house” add to the encouragement?
- How does the immediate context (the scroll of lamentation in vv.9, 10) shape the meaning of this courage?
- Where in your life is God asking you to speak His words despite fear of rejection or reprisal?
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| II Samuel 23:6 | But all the ungodly will be as thorns to be thrust away, because they can’t be taken with the hand. |
| II Samuel 23:7 | The man who touches them must be armed with iron and the staff of a spear. They will be utterly burned with fire in their place.” |
| II Kings 1:15 | Yahweh’s angel said to Elijah, “Go down with him. Don’t be afraid of him.” Then he arose and went down with him to the king. |
| Proverbs 30:13 | There is a generation, oh how lofty are their eyes! Their eyelids are lifted up. |
| Proverbs 30:14 | There is a generation whose teeth are like swords, and their jaws like knives, to devour the poor from the earth, and the needy from among men. |
| Isaiah 9:18 | For wickedness burns like a fire. It devours the briers and thorns; yes, it kindles in the thickets of the forest, and they roll upward in a column of smoke. |
| Isaiah 51:7 | “Listen to me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law. Don’t fear the reproach of men, and don’t be dismayed at their insults. |
| Isaiah 51:12 | “I, even I, am he who comforts you. Who are you, that you are afraid of man who shall die, and of the son of man who will be made as grass? |
Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
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What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke focuses on the specific temptation to suppress the message when facing mistreatment. He insists that fear of how hearers will react must never silence the messenger, because God promises to sustain and preserve the one He sends.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin stresses that God commands the prophet to speak boldly, not because success is guaranteed, but because God never commands rashly. Knowing God will care for his servants gives them courage to defy threats and calumnies.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge Bible notes that the phrase “though they be rebellious” is better translated “for they are rebellious.” This small change shifts the meaning: the people’s hostility is not a surprise to overcome, but an expected trait of a rebellious house. The prophet should not be dismayed or deceived into thinking they are right; he speaks God’s true words.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Notes stress God's repeated command not to fear the people's words or looks, despite their extreme hostility. Thorns
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill observes that the prophet's fear might come not only from insults but from the very authority of princes and nobles. He explains the metaphors in vivid detail: briers and thorns represent worthless, stinging men fit only for burning, while scorpions picture those whose works are venomous and perpetually harmful.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB explains that the Hebrew word for briers comes from a root meaning to sting, like nettles, making it a better fit than the margin's "rebels." The wicked are often pictured this way, and the scorpions add a deadly sting. Despite such threats, the command is not to fear.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch stress that Israel has become like heathens, no longer God's people. The people's shamelessness comes from hardened hearts. The prophet's word will be confirmed not by their immediate response but by its future fulfillment, when they realize a prophet was among them. The thistles and scorpions represent dangerous, hostile men.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange stresses that the repeated title "son of man" marks Ezekiel's complete dependence on God for his prophetic mission. The address is meant to remind Israel that the prophet brings no message of his own, only what God gives him. His human frailty is overcome by the Spirit that lifts him to his feet.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley reads the images as layers of opposition from hostile people: their words are malicious accusations, their character like briars among thorns, and their intent like scorpions. His point is that anyone serving God must not be intimidated by such fierce human threats.