Ezekiel 3
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Eat this roll, and go speak - This must have passed in vision; but the meaning is plain. Receive my word - let it enter into thy Soul; digest it - let it be thy nourishment; and let it be thy meat and drink to do the will of thy Father who is in heaven.
Open source ↗EZEKIEL EATS THE ROLL. IS COMMISSIONED TO GO TO THEM OF THE CAPTIVITY AND GOES TO TEL-ABIB BY THE CHEBAR: AGAIN BEHOLDS THE SHEKINAH GLORY: IS TOLD TO RETIRE TO HIS HOUSE, AND ONLY SPEAK WHEN GOD OPENS HIS MOUTH. (Eze. 3:1-27) eat . . . and . . . speak--God's messenger must first inwardly appropriate God's truth himself, before he "speaks" it to others (see on Eze 2:8). Symbolic actions were, when possible and proper, performed outwardly; otherwise, internally and in spiritual vision, the action so narrated making the naked statement more intuitive and impressive by presenting the subject in a concentrated, embodied form.
Open source ↗Moreover he said unto me,.... The same glorious Person who had been speaking all along in the preceding chapter; and who was seen by the prophet on a sapphire throne, and described in Eze 1:26; the first fifteen verses of this chapter are by Junius and Tremellius made a part of the second: son of man, eat that thou findest; not anything, but what he found in the hand sent unto him; wherefore the Targum is, "son of man, receive what is given thee;'' which was the roll, as follows: eat this roll; not literally, but figuratively, as John is bid to eat the little book, Rev 10:9; that is, read it, meditate upon the things contained therein; and digest them, that he might be able to impart them, and make them known to others: it is explained in Eze 3:10; by hearing and receiving the words of the prophecy; and so the Targum, "receive what is written in this roll;'' this is to eat it; as great readers of books are called "helluones librorum", eaters of books, gluttons at them; read them greedily, deeply meditate upon what is in them, and thoroughly digest them; so it becomes all good men to eat the word, to mix it with faith, to receive it in the love of it, and constantly meditate on it, Psa 1:1; and especially ministers of the Gospel, Th1 4:15; and go, speak unto the house of Israel; or, as the Targum, "go, and prophesy to the house of Israel;'' for by eating the roll, in the sense given, he was fit for it; and when ministers of the word have read, and thought of, and digested the truths of the Gospel themselves, then they are prepared to go and enter upon their work, and feed others with knowledge and understanding.
Open source ↗After the Lord had pointed out to the prophet the difficulties of the call laid upon him, He prepared him for the performance of his office, by inspiring him with the divine word which he is to announce. - Eze 2:8. And thou, son of man, hear what I say to thee, Be not stiff-necked like the stiff-necked race; open thy mouth, and eat what I give unto thee. Eze 2:9. Then I saw, and, lo, a hand outstretched towards me; and, lo, in the same a roll of a book. Eze 2:10. And He spread it out before me; the same was written upon the front and back: and there were written upon it lamentations, and sighing, and woe. Eze 3:1. And He said to me: Son of man, what thou findest eat; eat the roll, and go and speak to the house of Israel. Eze 3:2. Then opened I my mouth, and He gave me this roll to eat. Eze 3:3. And said to me: Son of man, feed thy belly, and fill thy body with this roll which I give thee. And I ate it, and it was in my mouth as honey and sweetness. - The prophet is to announce to the people of Israel only that which the Lord inspires him to announce. This thought is embodied in symbol, in such a way that an outstretched hand reaches to him a book, which he is to swallow, and which also, at God's command, he does swallow; cf. Rev 10:9. This roll was inscribed on both sides with lamentations, sighing, and woe (הי is either abbreviated from נהי, not = אי, or as Ewald, 101c, thinks, is only a more distinct form of הוי or הו). The meaning is not, that upon the roll was inscribed a multitude of mournful expressions of every kind, but that there was written upon it all that the prophet was to announce, and what we now read in his book. These contents were of a mournful nature, for they related to the destruction of the kingdom, the destruction of Jerusalem and of the temple. T…
Open source ↗These verses are fitly joined by some translators to the foregoing chapter, as being of a piece with it and a continuation of the same vision. The prophets received the word from God that they might deliver it to the people of God, furnished themselves that they might furnish them with the knowledge of the mind and will of God. Now here the prophet is taught, I. How he must receive divine revelation himself, Eze 3:1. Christ (whom he saw upon the throne, Eze 1:26) said to him, "Son of man, eat this roll, admit this revelation into thy understanding, take it, take the meaning of it, understand it aright, admit it into thy heart, apply it, and be affected with it; imprint it in thy mind, ruminate and chew the cud upon it; take it as it is entire, and make no difficulty of it, nay, take a pleasure in it as thou dost in thy meat, and let thy soul be nourished and strengthened by it; let it be meat and drink to thee, and as thy necessary food; be full of it, as thou art of the meat thou hast eaten." Thus ministers should in their studies and meditations take in that word of God which they are to preach to others. Thy words were found, and I did eat them, Jer 15:16. They must be both well acquainted and much affected with the things of God, that they may speak of them both clearly and warmly, with a great deal of divine light and heat. Now observe, 1. How this command is inculcated upon the prophet. In the foregoing chapter, Eat what I give thee; and here (Eze 3:1), "Eat that thou findest, that which is presented to thee by the hand of Christ." Note, Whatever we find to be the word of God, whatever is brought to us by him who is the Word of God, we must receive it without disputing. What we find set before us in the scripture, that we must eat. And again (Eze 3:3), "Cause thy…
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… מְגִלָּה (mᵉgillâh, H4039) — a roll יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗פָּתַח (pâthach, H6605) — to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve פֶּה (peh, H6310) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech);… אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) מְגִלָּה (mᵉgillâh, H4039) — a roll
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) בֶּטֶן (beṭen, H990) — the belly, especially the womb; also the bosom or body of anything אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) מָלֵא (mâlêʼ, H4390) — to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively) מֵעֶה (mêʻeh, H4578) — used only in plural the intestines, or (collectively) the abdomen, figuratively,… מְגִלָּה (mᵉgillâh, H4039) — a roll נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) פֶּה (peh, H6310) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech);… דְּבַשׁ (dᵉbash, H1706) — honey (from its stickiness); by analogy, syrup מָתוֹק (mâthôwq, H4966) — sweet
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
Open source ↗שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… עָמֵק (ʻâmêq, H6012) — deep (literally or figuratively) שָׂפָה (sâphâh, H8193) — the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a… כָּבֵד (kâbêd, H3515) — heavy; figuratively in a good sense (numerous) or in a bad sense (severe, difficult,… לָשׁוֹן (lâshôwn, H3956) — the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… עָמֵק (ʻâmêq, H6012) — deep (literally or figuratively) שָׂפָה (sâphâh, H8193) — the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a… כָּבֵד (kâbêd, H3515) — heavy; figuratively in a good sense (numerous) or in a bad sense (severe, difficult,… לָשׁוֹן (lâshôwn, H3956) — the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
Open source ↗בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity אָבָה (ʼâbâh, H14) — to breathe after, i.e. (figuratively) to be acquiescent שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… חָזָק (châzâq, H2389) — strong (usu. in a bad sense, hard, bold, violent) מֵצַח (mêtsach, H4696) — the forehead (as open and prominent) קָשֶׁה (qâsheh, H7186) — severe (in various applications) לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the…
Open source ↗נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… חָזָק (châzâq, H2389) — strong (usu. in a bad sense, hard, bold, violent) עֻמָּה (ʻummâh, H5980) — conjunction, i.e. society; mostly adverb or preposition (with prepositional prefix),… מֵצַח (mêtsach, H4696) — the forehead (as open and prominent)
Open source ↗שָׁמִיר (shâmîyr, H8068) — a thorn; also (from its keenness for scratching) a gem, probably the diamond חָזָק (châzâq, H2389) — strong (usu. in a bad sense, hard, bold, violent) צֹר (tsôr, H6864) — a stone (as if pressed hard or to a point); (by implication, of use) a knife נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) מֵצַח (mêtsach, H4696) — the forehead (as open and prominent) יָרֵא (yârêʼ, H3372) — to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten חָתַת (châthath, H2865) — properly, to prostrate; hence, to break down, either (literally) by violence, or… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… מְרִי (mᵉrîy, H4805) — bitterness, i.e. (figuratively) rebellion; concretely, bitter, or rebellious בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) לֵבָב (lêbâb, H3824) — the heart (as the most interior organ); שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… אֹזֶן (ʼôzen, H241) — broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
Open source ↗יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) גּוֹלָה (gôwlâh, H1473) — exile; concretely and collectively exiles בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אֲדֹנָי (ʼĂdônây, H136) — the Lord (used as a proper name of God only) יְהֹוִה (Yᵉhôvih, H3069) — {YHWH} שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… חָדַל (châdal, H2308) — properly, to be flabby, i.e. (by implication) desist; (figuratively) be lacking or idle
Open source ↗רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,… נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… קוֹל (qôwl, H6963) — a voice or sound גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent רַעַשׁ (raʻash, H7494) — vibration, bounding, uproar בָרַךְ (bârak, H1288) — to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as… כָּבוֹד (kâbôwd, H3519) — properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);…
Open source ↗קוֹל (qôwl, H6963) — a voice or sound כָּנָף (kânâph, H3671) — an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or… חַי (chay, H2416) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially… נָשַׁק (nâshaq, H5401) — to kiss, literally or figuratively (touch); also (as a mode of attachment), to equip with… אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman אָחוֹת (ʼâchôwth, H269) — a sister (used very widely (like brother), literally and figuratively) אוֹפָן (ʼôwphân, H212) — a wheel עֻמָּה (ʻummâh, H5980) — conjunction, i.e. society; mostly adverb or preposition (with prepositional prefix),… גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent רַעַשׁ (raʻash, H7494) — vibration, bounding, uproar
Open source ↗רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,… נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) מַר (mar, H4751) — bitter (literally or figuratively); also (as noun) bitterness, or (adverbially) bitterly חֵמָה (chêmâh, H2534) — heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God חָזַק (châzaq, H2388) — to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively…
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Be diligent in these matters and absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.
I came to the exiles at Tel-abib who dwelt by the River Kebar. And for seven days I sat where they sat and remained there among them, overwhelmed.
“Son of man,” He said to me, “I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against Me. To this very day they and their fathers have rebelled against Me.