Bible Commentaries
Ezekiel 1

Verse 1

Ezekiel. In Hebrew. Y heze el yehazzek- el = El is strong, or El strengthens (compare Israel, Genesis 32:28 ).

Of the four greater prophets , Ezekiel and Daniel (who prophesied in Babylonia) are compounded with "El" ( App-4 . IV); while Isaiah and Jeremiah (who prophesied in the land) are compounded with "Jah".

Ezekiel was a priest (Ezekiel 1:3 ), carried away eleven years before the destruction of the city and temple (Ezekiel 1:2 ; Ezekiel 33:21 . 2 Kings 24:14 ). He dwelt in his own house (8. I. Compare Jeremiah 29:5 ). He was married; and his wife died in the year when the siege of Jerusalem began.

Now = And. This is a link in the prophetic chain. Compare 1 Peter 1:10-12 . 2 Peter 1:21 . Ezekiel had doubtless received and seen the letter sent by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 29:1-32 ).

thirtieth . . . fourth , See notes on p. 1105.

fifth day . Dates in Ezekiel are always of the month, not of the week (Ezekiel 1:1 ; Ezekiel 8:1 ; Ezekiel 20:1 ; Ezekiel 24:1 ; Ezekiel 26:1 ; Ezekiel 29:1 ; Ezekiel 30:20 ; Ezekiel 31:1 ; Ezekiel 32:1 ; Ezekiel 40:1 ).

captives . Hebrew captivity. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , forcaptives", as translated. Compare Ezekiel 3:15 ,

Chebar . Now Khabour, Probably the same as Chebor or Habor (2 Kings 17:6 ; 2 Kings 18:11 . 1 Chronicles 5:26 ), falling into the Euphrates about forty-five miles north of Babylon. On the Inscription it is called nar Kabari = great river, or "Grand Canal", cut between the Tigris and the Euphrates. In Ch. Ezekiel 3:15 , it is not the same "Chebar" as in Ezekiel 1:1 , but the Chebar to which Ezekiel was sent ("go, get thee", Ezekiel 3:4 ). The "Chebar" of Ezekiel 1:1 was where he dwelt; that of Ezekiel 3:15 is where he was sent,

of = from. Genitive of Origin or Efficient Cause. App-17 .

God. Hebrew. Elohim . App-4 .

Verse 2

fifth year . B.C. 484. Compare 2 Kings 24:12 , 2 Kings 24:15 ,

Jehoiachin. Called also Jeconiah, and Coniah. Compare 2 Kings 24:17-20 ; 2 Kings 25:1-21 .

Verse 3

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

expressly = in very deed, or in reality.

Ezekiel . See the Title.

the priest : and called, as Jeremiah was, to the office of prophet as well,

the hand. Fig, Anthropopatheia. App-6 .

was = became. Compare Elijah (1 Kings 18:46 ); Elisha (2 Kings 3:15 ); Daniel (Daniel 10:10 , Daniel 10:18 ); and John (Revelation 1:17 ).

Verse 4

behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

whirlwind. Hebrew. ruach = spirit, but it came to be rendered "storm or whirlwind". Note the three symbols of Jehovah's glory, Storm, Cloud, and Fire. Compare Nahum 1:3 .Revelation 4:5 .

out of the north . See note on Psalms 75:6 , and Isaiah 14:13 .

infolding itself = taking hold of itself. Revised Version margin, "flashing continually". Human and finite language is unable to find words to express infinite realities. It may mean spontaneous ignition: i.e. without the application of external fire. Compare Exodus 9:24 .

colour. Hebrew. "eye". Put by Figure of speech Metonynmy (of Adj evict), App-6 , for colour.

amber : or, glowing metal.

out of : or, in.

Verse 5

four living creatures. These are "the Cherubim". See App-41 . The zoa of Revelation 4:6 .

Verse 7

straight: i.e. unjointed. The living creatures did not move by walking.

Verse 8

hands . Hebrew text reads "hand". Some codices, with two early printed editions and Hebrew text margin, read "hands "(plural), followed by Authorized Version and Revised Version. The sing. is to be preferred, and is so rendered in Ezekiel 10:7 . Why not here?

Verse 10

faces. See App-41 .

man. Hebrew ' adam , App-14 .

stretched upward = divided or spread out from above.

Verse 12

spirit . Hebrew. ruach . App-9 .

Verse 13

lamps = the lamp; or, torch (singular)

went forth = kept going forth.

Verse 14

ran and returned : or kept running and returning. Hebrew is Inf. by Heterosis (of Mood), App-6 .

Verse 15

behold. Figure of speech Asterismes. App-6 .

Verse 16

The . Some codices, with one early printed edition, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "And the".

Verse 17

turned . The 1611 edition of the Authorized Version reads "returned".

Verse 18

high . In the sense of sublimity.

Verse 19

the living creatures = the living ones. Compare verses: Ezekiel 1:21 , Ezekiel 1:22 , Ezekiel 1:3 ; Ezekiel 10:15 , Ezekiel 10:20 . The four were one.

Verse 22

firmament = expanse, as in Genesis 1:6 .

stretched forth = spread out.

above = upward.

Verse 23

straight = level.

Verse 24

noise . Hebrew "voice", as in the next clause = any noise. Articulate speech not mentioned till Ezekiel 1:28 with Ezekiel 2:1 .

voice = noise, as above. THE ALMIGHTY. Hebrew. Shaddai . App-4 .

voice of speech = noise of tumult.

Verse 26

man . Hebrew. App-14 . Compare Daniel 7:13 .

Verse 28

the bow . in the cloud. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 9:16 ). App-92 . The only allusion to it in O.T. after Genesis. In N.T. compare Revelation 4:3 ; Revelation 10:1 .

the glory , &c. Compare Ezekiel 3:12 , Ezekiel 3:23 ; Ezekiel 8:4 ; Ezekiel 9:3 ; Ezekiel 10:4 , Ezekiel 10:18 , Ezekiel 10:19 ; Ezekiel 10:22 , Eze 10:23 ; Ezekiel 43:2 , Ezekiel 43:4 , Ezekiel 43:5 ; Ezekiel 44:4 .

I fell upon my face . Reference to Pentateuch (Numbers 14:5 ; Numbers 16:4 , Numbers 16:25 , Numbers 16:45 ). App-92 .