יחזקאל, פרק ג׳, פסוק ד׳

Following his initial calling and the consumption of the prophetic scroll, the prophet is sent to the exiles in Babylon with clear instructions on how to deliver his message. The central focus of God's command is the demand that the prophet speak strictly using God's own words. This directive carries deep meaning regarding both the content of the message and the language in which it is delivered.

The primary approach among commentators is that this requires delivering the prophecy exactly as it was received, without any alteration. God warns the prophet not to soften the message or speak gently out of fear of how the people might react to harsh warnings. Instead, he must deliver the difficult truths precisely as they were spoken to him [חומת אנך]. The prophet must make it absolutely clear to the nation that the message does not come from his own mind, but is entirely the word of God [אברבנאל].

Furthermore, sharing the exact message carries a unique spiritual power. When the original order of words coming from God is preserved, the message is more readily accepted and leaves a much deeper impact on the hearts of the listeners [מצודת דוד].

Beyond the content, commentators agree that this command also dictates the specific language the prophet must use. Although the exiles in Babylon had already begun adapting to the local Chaldean language and other foreign tongues, God instructs the prophet to speak to them in Hebrew, the exact language in which the prophecy was given [מלבי״ם].

This linguistic instruction also serves to comfort the prophet and fill him with confidence. God assures him that because he is being sent to his own people, he does not need to fear any language barriers. He will not have to struggle with translating the prophecy, nor will he face any difficulty in understanding the people when they respond [רד״ק, אברבנאל].