Book of Ezekiel - Chapter 17 - Verse 1

When the Bible mentions "And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying," it signifies the beginning of a message or revelation from God to his chosen messenger or prophet. Throughout the Bible, we see God communicating with his people in various ways, including through dreams, visions, and direct verbal communication. This particular phrase indicates a direct line of communication between God and the person he has chosen to deliver his message. It emphasizes the importance and authority of the message that will follow, as it is coming directly from the source of all wisdom and truth. The phrase serves as a preface to the divine message that follows, setting the stage for the listener or reader to pay close attention to the words that will be spoken. It is a reminder of the sacredness and reverence with which the message from God should be received and obeyed.

In this verse, "And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying," the phrase "the word of the LORD" holds significant theological importance. Throughout the Bible, "the word" is often associated with divine communication. When it is prefaced by "the LORD" in this context, it specifically refers to the message or revelation from God Himself. This phrase underscores the authority and truthfulness of the message being conveyed. It signifies that the words being spoken are not merely the words of the human speaker but are divinely inspired. The fact that the word "came unto" the prophet indicates a sense of direct communication from God to the recipient. This expression is commonly used in the Bible to emphasize the divine origin of the message. The phrase "saying" signals that the content following is the actual message that the prophet is to deliver. Therefore, in this verse, we see a clear example of God's direct communication with His chosen servant, conveying a message that is authoritative, trustworthy, and meant to be proclaimed to others.