These two verses are preface to what follows in the chapter. A riddle; a dark saying, which calls for thorough consideration to understand and apply it, because the meaning is different to the sound of the words. A parable; the same thing redoubled in different words. And it is likely the prophet is commanded to use a parable, because those Eastern people were much used to and taken with this kind of discourse. The house of Israel, i.e. the remainders of the house of Israel, whether of the ten tribes, or of the two tribes.
Related Commentaries of Ezekiel 17:2
Ezekiel 17:2
2 Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable unto the house of Israel;