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Ezekiel and the twelve prophets are remembered
Sirach briefly honours Ezekiel and the twelve prophets. In a few lines, it remembers what Ezekiel saw, notes his words about enemies and right ways, and blesses the twelve prophets in connection with comfort and confident hope.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
This passage comes from Sirach, a book in the Catholic additional books. Here the writer recalls earlier prophetic figures in short summary statements. The verses do not retell full ministries. They highlight Ezekiel’s vision, a brief description of his remembered message, and a blessing connected with the twelve prophets.
Sirach 49:8–10Main takeaway
Sirach remembers Ezekiel through a vision of glory and words about enemies and right ways, and it honours the twelve prophets in connection with comfort and confident hope.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Ezekiel’s vision of gloryThe first statement focuses on what Ezekiel saw: “the vision of glory”. Sirach says God showed him this vision “on the chariot of the cherubim”.
Explanation
The first statement focuses on what Ezekiel saw: “the vision of glory”. Sirach says God showed him this vision “on the chariot of the cherubim”. The verse does not explain the image further here. Its main point is that Ezekiel is remembered for receiving a striking revelation that God showed him.
02Enemies and those walking rightlyThe next line is very compressed. It says, “he remembered the enemies in rainstorm”, then adds, “to do good to those who directed their ways aright”.
Explanation
The next line is very compressed. It says, “he remembered the enemies in rainstorm”, then adds, “to do good to those who directed their ways aright”. Because the wording is brief, it is best to stay close to it. Sirach links Ezekiel’s remembrance with enemies, and also with people who set their ways right.
03The twelve prophets are honouredSirach then turns to “the twelve prophets”. The blessing says, “may their bones flourish again out of their place”.
Explanation
Sirach then turns to “the twelve prophets”. The blessing says, “may their bones flourish again out of their place”. The text does not explain the image in this verse, so we should not press it beyond what is written. What is clear is that Sirach speaks of the twelve prophets with honour and blessing.
04Comfort and confident hopeThe final sentence says, “He comforted the people of Jacob, and delivered them by confident hope.”
Explanation
The final sentence says, “He comforted the people of Jacob, and delivered them by confident hope.” The verse does not explain who “He” refers to, so it is wise to leave that point open. What Sirach clearly connects with this remembrance is comfort for Jacob and deliverance by confident hope.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What does Sirach say God showed Ezekiel?
Look for the exact phrase about what Ezekiel saw and where the vision was shown.
02According to this passage, who received good?
Notice the line about “those who directed their ways aright” and keep your answer close to the wording of the verse.
03What two actions are named in the final sentence of verse 10?
Read the last line carefully and identify both what happened for the people of Jacob and the means named in the verse.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Sirach 49:8–10
8Ezekiel saw the vision of glory, which God showed him on the chariot of the cherubim.
9For truly he remembered the enemies in rainstorm, and to do good to those who directed their ways aright.
10Also of the twelve prophets, may their bones flourish again out of their place. He comforted the people of Jacob, and delivered them by confident hope.