Ezekiel 3:2-12

2 So I 1opened my mouth, and He fed me this scroll.
3 He said to me, "Son of man, feed your stomach and 2fill your body with this scroll which I am giving you." Then I 3ate it, and it was sweet as 4honey in my mouth.
4 Then He said to me, "Son of man, go * to the house of Israel and speak with My words to them.
5 "For 5you are not being sent to a people of 6unintelligible speech or difficult language, but to the house of Israel,
6 nor to many peoples of unintelligible speech or difficult language, whose words you cannot understand. But I have sent you to them who should listen to you;
7 yet the house of Israel will not be willing to listen to you, since they are 7not willing to listen to Me. Surely the whole house of Israel is stubborn * and obstinate *.
8 "Behold, I have made your face as hard as their faces and your forehead as hard as their foreheads.
9 "Like emery harder than flint I have made your forehead. Do not be afraid of them or be dismayed before * them, though they are a rebellious house."
10 Moreover, He said to me, "Son of man, take into your heart all My 8words which I will speak to you and listen closely.
11 "Go to the exiles, to the sons of your people, and speak to them and tell them, whether they listen or not, 'Thus says the Lord GOD.' "
12 Then the 9Spirit lifted me up, and I heard a great 10rumbling sound behind me, "Blessed be the glory of the LORD in His place."

Ezekiel 3:2-12 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EZEKIEL 3

This chapter contains a further account of the prophet's call and mission; of his preparation of him for is work; of, the persons to whom he was sent; of what happened to him upon this; of the nature of his office, and the work of it; and of what followed upon the renewal of his call. His further preparation for prophesying is in Eze 3:1-3; where he is bid to eat the roll showed him, which he did, and found it in his mouth as honey for sweetness; and then he receives fresh orders to go to the people of Israel, and prophesy to them, Eze 3:4; and, that he might not be discouraged, an account is given beforehand of the people to whom he was sent; of their language, behaviour, and disposition; by which he could not expect success, Eze 3:5-7; and, for his further encouragement, strength, boldness, resolution, firmness, and presence of mind, are promised him, Eze 3:8,9; also a revelation of mere things to him; all which he should hear, receive, and speak, whether the people would attend to them or not; which ought to be no discouragement to him, since it was not regarded by the Lord, Eze 3:10,11; then follows an account of his being lifted up by the Spirit from the earth, when he heard a voice, which is described by the manner and matter of it; and a noise, both of the living creature's wings, and of the wheels he had seen in a former vision, Eze 3:12,13; and next of his being carried away by the same Spirit; and of the condition he was in, in his own spirit, as he went; and of the strength he received from the Lord; and of the place to which he, was carried; and his state and circumstances, and time of continuance there, Eze 3:14,15; where, after a time mentioned, he has a fresh call to his office, under the character of a watchman, whose business was to hear Christ's words, and warn the house of Israel from him; and who are distinguished into wicked and righteous; and whom the prophet was to warn at his own peril, Eze 3:16-21; and the chapter is concluded with a narration of various events which befell the prophet; he is bid by the Lord to go into the plain, which he did, and there saw the glory of the Lord, as he had before seen it at the river Chebar; which so affected him, that he fell upon his face, Eze 3:22,23; the spirit entered into him, let him on his feet, and spake with him; ordered him what he should do himself, that he should shut himself up in his house, Eze 3:24; informed him what the people would do to him; bind him with bands, that he should not come forth, Eze 3:25; and what Christ would do to him; strike him dumb in judgment to the people, that he might not be a reprover of them, Eze 3:26; but he is told that, when the Lord spoke to him; his mouth should be opened, and he should declare what was said to him, Eze 3:27.

Cross References 10

  • 1. Jeremiah 25:17
  • 2. Jeremiah 6:11; Jeremiah 20:9
  • 3. Jeremiah 15:16
  • 4. Psalms 19:10; Psalms 119:103; Revelation 10:9, 10
  • 5. Jonah 1:2; Acts 14:11; Acts 26:17
  • 6. Isaiah 28:11; Isaiah 33:19
  • 7. 1 Samuel 8:7
  • 8. Job 22:22; Ezekiel 2:8; Ezekiel 3:1-3
  • 9. Ezekiel 3:14; Ezekiel 8:3; Acts Ezekiel 8:39
  • 10. Acts 2:2

Footnotes 13

  • [a]. Lit "inward parts"
  • [b]. Lit "go, come"
  • [c]. Lit "deepness of lip and heaviness of tongue"
  • [d]. Lit "deepness of lip and heaviness of tongue"
  • [e]. Or "If I had sent you to them, they would listen to you"
  • [f]. Lit "they"
  • [g]. Lit "of a hard forehead and a stiff heart"
  • [h]. Lit "corundum"
  • [i]. Lit "with your ears"
  • [j]. Lit "Go, come"
  • [k]. Lit "forbear"
  • [l]. Heb "YHWH," usually rendered LORD
  • [m]. Or "from"
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