And when the children of thy people shall speak unto thee, saying, Wilt thou not shew us what thou meanest by these?

And when the children of thy people shall speak unto thee, saying, Wilt thou not show us what thou meanest by these?

And when the children of thy people shall speak to thee, saying: Wilt thou not tell us what thou meanest by this?

And when the children of my people speak unto thee, saying, Wilt thou not declare unto us what thou meanest by these?

And when sons of thy people speak unto thee, saying, Dost thou not declare to us what these are to thee?

And when the children of your people say to you, Will you not make clear to us what these things have to do with us?

Then, when the sons of your people will speak to you, saying: 'Will you not tell us what you intend by this?'

And when the children of thy people shall speak unto thee, saying,.... The children of Israel and Judah in captivity, of which people Ezekiel was and to whom he was sent as a prophet; who seeing him take two sticks, and write on them, and then join them together, would naturally put such a question to him:
wilt thou not show us what thou meanest by these? for they concluded he had some meaning in it, and that it was not a mere childish diversion and amusement; and therefore would desire that he would let them know what it was: whether they would ask this seriously or in banter, out of curiosity or in contempt, as they sometimes did; it matters not, he was to give them an answer, as follows; though, by the manner of their putting the question, it looks as if they were doubtful whether he would or not; since they had treated him in a sneering way on such like occasions before.

God does not explain the symbolical prophecy until the Jews have been stimulated by the type to consult the prophet.