Ezekiel 2:3-5

3 And he said to me, "Son of man, I send you to the people of Israel, to 1nations of rebels, who have rebelled against me. 2They and their fathers have transgressed against me to this very day.
4 The descendants also are 3impudent and stubborn: I send you to them, and you shall say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD.'
5 And 4whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are 5a rebellious house) 6they will know that a prophet has been among them.

Ezekiel 2:3-5 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 6

  • 1. [ver. 5, 6, 8; Ezekiel 3:26; Ezekiel 24:3; Ezekiel 44:6]
  • 2. Ezekiel 20:16, 18, 21
  • 3. [Ezekiel 3:7]
  • 4. Ezekiel 3:11; [Ezekiel 3:27; Ezekiel 17:12]
  • 5. [See ver. 3 above]
  • 6. Ezekiel 33:33
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.