Ezekiel 2:1

1 “Stand up, son of man,” said the voice. “I want to speak with you.”

Ezekiel 2:1 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 2:1

And he said unto me
The glorious Person who sat upon the throne, whose appearance is described in the latter part of the preceding chapter: son of man;
as he was to be that spake unto him; and so it may denote relation, affection, and familiarity; or otherwise it is expressive of humiliation; of the frail, mean, and low estate of man, through the fall, ( Psalms 8:4 ) ; wherefore some think Ezekiel is thus addressed, lest he should be lifted up, and think himself as one of the angels, because he had seen so great a vision; just as the Apostle Paul was humbled, lest he should be exalted above measure, through the visions and revelations he had, ( 2 Corinthians 12:7 ) . Kimchi mentions this, but assigns another reason; that because he saw the face of a man in the above vision, he let him know that he was right and good in the eye of God; and was the son of man, and not the son of a lion which is exceeding weak and trifling. Abendana, besides these, mentions some other reasons given; as that because he saw the "mercavah" or chariot, and ascended to the dignity of the angels on high, it is as if it was said, there is none born of a woman, as this; or because he was carried out of the holy land, as Adam was drove out of Eden; and therefore called the son of the first Adam, being drove out of Jerusalem, and out of the temple, where he was a priest. It may be observed, that this is a name which our Lord frequently took to himself in his state of humiliation; and that none but Ezekiel, excepting once the Prophet Daniel, is called by this name; and no doubt the reason of it is, because he was an eminent type of Christ; and particularly in his mission and commission, as a prophet, to the rebellious house of Israel: stand upon thy feet;
for he was fallen upon his face, at the sight of the vision, ( Ezekiel 1:28 ) ; when a divine Person speaks, men ought to stand and hear, and be in a readiness to do his pleasure: and I will speak unto thee;
which is said for his encouragement, being spoken by him who has the words of truth and grace, and of eternal life.

Ezekiel 2:1 In-Context

1 “Stand up, son of man,” said the voice. “I want to speak with you.”

2 The Spirit came into me as he spoke, and he set me on my feet. I listened carefully to his words.

3 “Son of man,” he said, “I am sending you to the nation of Israel, a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me. They and their ancestors have been rebelling against me to this very day.

4 They are a stubborn and hard-hearted people. But I am sending you to say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says!’

5 And whether they listen or refuse to listen—for remember, they are rebels—at least they will know they have had a prophet among them.