God continues to speak from the end of chapter 35. Some languages may need to identify the speaker at this point; for example, Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version begin this verse with “The LORD said,” even though the Hebrew does not do so.

And you, son of man: God addresses Ezekiel here. The inclusion of And you adds some emphasis to God’s address to the prophet, but most translations do not bother to reflect it (so Good News Translation, New International Version). Contemporary English Version uses the name “Ezekiel” to express it. For son of man (International Children’s Bible “Human being”),

Prophesy to the mountains of Israel: The mountains of Israel refers to the mountainous country of Israel, but this expression also recalls the original land in which the Israelites first settled (see the comments on 6.2). For those languages in which it may sound strange for God to speak to mountains, see the comments on 6.2.

And say is still part of God’s command to Ezekiel. It may be rendered “and this is what you must say.”

O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the LORD: Hear the word of the LORD is a traditional introduction to a prophecy. New International Reader’s Version renders this whole sentence as “Mountains of Israel, listen to the LORD’s message.” Good News Translation uses indirect speech here and at the beginning of the next verse, saying “tell them to listen to the message which I, the Sovereign LORD, have for them.”

Quoted with permission from Gross, Carl & Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Ezekiel. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .