Ezekiel 3 Footnotes

3:3 Did Ezekiel literally eat the scroll? He did in the visionary experience. By eating the scroll he consumed the unwelcome message of judgment he was to proclaim to those in captivity and in Jerusalem (Ps 19:10; 119:103). John was given a similar command (Rv 10:8-11). The Lord commanded Ezekiel to eat a scroll four times in Ezk 2:8–3:3. Some rabbinic interpretations view this as a visionary experience or an allegory, while others take it as a literal but symbolic act. In either case the lesson is the same: The prophet was to consume the message, digest it, and proclaim its contents.

3:16-21 While the role of the watchman was well known in ancient Near Eastern culture (Is 21:6; 52:8; 62:6; Jr 6:17; Hab 2:1), Ezekiel’s divine appointment was unique. The watchman was charged with the safety of the community; he was to warn the people of impending danger, especially enemy attack. Any watchman that failed in his duty was held personally responsible. Negligence resulting in loss of life was punishable by death. The prophet, therefore, was held responsible and accountable for bringing messages of judgment to the rebellious people.