Ezekiel 2:4-10

4 "I am sending you to them who are 1stubborn * and obstinate * children, and you shall say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD.'
5 "As for them, 2whether they listen or not-for they are a rebellious house -they will 3know that a prophet has been among them.
6 "And you, son of man, 4neither fear them nor fear their words, though 5thistles and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions; neither fear their words nor be dismayed at their presence, for they are a rebellious house.
7 "But you shall 6speak My words to them 7whether they listen or not, for they are rebellious.
8 "Now you, son of man, listen to what I am speaking to you; do not be rebellious like that rebellious house. Open your mouth and 8eat what I am giving you."
9 Then I looked, and behold, a 9hand was extended to me; and lo, a 10scroll * was in it.
10 When He spread it out before me, it was written on the front and back, and written on it were lamentations, mourning and 11woe.

Ezekiel 2:4-10 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EZEKIEL 2

This chapter contains me prophet's call, commission, and instruction to prophesy. The preparation to it is in Eze 2:1,2; being fallen upon his face, he is bid to stand upon his feet, with a promise to speak to him; and the Spirit entering into him, he is set by him on his feet, and he hears what is spoken to him; then follows his mission to the children of Israel, who are described as rebellious, impudent, and stiff-hearted; and to whom he is sent, to render them inexcusable, Eze 2:3-5; and he is exhorted not to be afraid of their words, nor dismayed at their looks, however fierce and furious they might be; but faithfully declare his message, and not be discouraged, should it be without success, Eze 2:6,7; and he is instructed not to be rebellious, as they were; but open his mouth and eat what should be given him, Eze 2:8; when, in a visionary way, a hand was seen, and a roll in it, and this spread before him, written within and without, full of lamentation, mourning, and woes, as a symbol of the substance of his prophecy, Eze 2:9,10.

Cross References 11

  • 1. Psalms 95:8; Isaiah 48:4; Jeremiah 5:3; Jeremiah 6:15; Ezekiel 3:7
  • 2. Ezekiel 2:7; Ezekiel 3:11, 27; Matthew 10:12-15; Acts 13:46
  • 3. Ezekiel 33:33; Luke 10:10, 11; John 15:22
  • 4. Isaiah 51:12; Jeremiah 1:8, 17; Ezekiel 3:9
  • 5. 2 Samuel 23:6, 7; Ezekiel 28:24; Micah 7:4
  • 6. Jeremiah 1:7, 17; Ezekiel 3:10, 17
  • 7. Ezekiel 2:5
  • 8. Jeremiah 15:16; Ezekiel 3:3; Revelation 10:9
  • 9. Ezekiel 8:3
  • 10. Jeremiah 36:2; Ezekiel 3:1; Revelation 5:1-5; Revelation 10:8-11
  • 11. Isaiah 3:11; Revelation 8:13

Footnotes 5

  • [a]. Lit "the sons, stiff-faced and hard-hearted"
  • [b]. Heb "YHWH," usually rendered LORD
  • [c]. Lit "forbear"
  • [d]. Lit "forbear"
  • [e]. Lit "scroll of a book"
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