Bible Commentaries
Ezekiel 2

Verse 1

He said . See Ezekiel 1:28 , i.e. He Who was enthroned ( Eze 2:26 ).

Son of man = son of Adam. Hebrew. ben adam. App-14 . Used of Ezekiel (exactly one hundred times) by Jehovah, always without the Article. In N.T. used by Christ (of Himself) eighty-six times in Authorized Version (eighty-three times in Revised Version, omitting Matthew 18:11 ; Matthew 25:13 .Luke 9:56; Luke 9:56 ). Used by others of Christ twice (John 12:34 ), making the Authorized Version total eighty-eight, and the Revised Version total eighty-five. Always with the Article in N.T. See notes on Psalms 8:4 , Matthew 8:20 , and Revelation 14:14 . Without the Article it denotes a human being, a natural descendant of Adam. In Ezekiel it is used in contrast with the celestial living creatures (Ezekiel 1:0 ). With the Article (as used of Christ) it denotes "the second Man", "the last Adam", taking the place, dispensationally, which "the first man" had forfeited, and succeeding, therefore, to the universal dominion over the earth which had been committed to Adam (Genesis 1:26 , Psalms 8:4-8 ). In the N. T, outside the Four Gospels, it is used only in Acts 7:56 . Hebrews 2:6 . Revelation 1:13 ; Revelation 14:14 . And, be side Ezekiel, it is used in OT. only of Daniel (Daniel 8:17 ) stand, &c. Compare Daniel 10:11 .Revelation 1:17 . Reminding us that he was not a false prophet, or self-called and sent. Such spoke "out of their own heart" (Ezekiel 13:2 , Ezekiel 13:3 ). Compare Jeremiah 23:16 .

Verse 2

the spirit entered .

He spoke . Entered with the word. Compare Genesis 1:2 , Genesis 1:3 . The Divine summons is accompanied by Divine preparation. Compare Ezekiel 3:24 .Revelation 1:17 .

spirit . Hebrew. ruach App-9 .

I heard. This is ever the Divine qualification.

Verse 3

I send = I am sending.

children sons.

rebellious. rebelled = revolting (against lawful authority), contumacious. Hebrew. marad. Not the same word as in verses: Ezekiel 2:5 , Ezekiel 2:6 , Ezekiel 2:7 , Ezekiel 5:8 . Occurs again in Ezekiel 17:15 ; Ezekiel 20:38 .

nation = nations (plural of Majesty) - the whole nation, Israel and Judah. Hence, the great rebellious nation like the heathen.

transgressed = revolted. Hebrew. pasha '. App-44 .

Verse 4

impudent . . . stiffhearted . Reference to Pentateuch. A reproach brought against Israel eight times in Exodus and Deuteronomy (Exodus 32:9 ; Exodus 33:3 , Exodus 33:5 ; Exodus 34:9 . Deuteronomy 9:6 , Deuteronomy 9:13 ; Deuteronomy 10:16 ; Deuteronomy 31:27 ). App-92 . Compare Judges 2:19 , and Isaiah 48:4 .

impudent = hard of face. Hebrew. kashah.

stiffhearted . = stubborn of heart. Hebrew. hazak.

the Lord God . Hebrew. Adonai Jehovah . App-4 . This title is characteristic of the prophecies of Ezekiel, being used 214 times. Very rarely in the other prophets. Ezekiel is in exile. This title is to remind him that Jehovah is still the sovereign Lord over all the earth, though Israel be "Lo-ammi" = not My People.

Verse 5

whether they will hear, or . . . forbear . The latter is evidently assumed, and to be expected; as in 2 Timothy 4:3 . But no alternative is given.

" My words " correspond with "preach the word "(2 Timothy 4:2 ).

forbear = abstain, or refuse to hear.

a rebellious house . Hebrew a house of rebellion. Not the same word as in Ezekiel 2:3 . Hebrew. meri, from marah, to be bitter, perverse, refractory. Reference to Pentateuch, (Numbers 17:10 . Deuteronomy 31:27 ). Elsewhere only in 1 Samuel 15:23 .Nehemiah 9:17 , Job 24:13 , Proverbs 17:13 .Isaiah 30:9; Isaiah 30:9 ). The Verb occurs forty-three times in O.T. The Noun occurs sixteen times in Ezekiel (Ezekiel 2:5 , Ezekiel 2:6 , Ezekiel 2:7 , Ezekiel 2:8 ; Ezekiel 2:3 :9 ; Eze 2:26-27 ; Ezekiel 12:2 , Ezekiel 12:3 , Ezekiel 12:9 , Ezekiel 12:25 ; Ezekiel 17:12 ; Ezekiel 24:3 ; Ezekiel 44:6 ).

Verse 6

briers and thorns . . . scorpions. Put by Figure of speech Hypocatastasis ( App-6 ), for the rebellious.

Verse 7

My words . Nothing less, nothing more, nothing different. Compare Genesis 3:2 , Genesis 3:3 , and 2 Timothy 4:2 , under a similar warning in the following verse. Compare Ezekiel 2:5 , note.

Verse 8

eat . See Ezekiel 3:1-3 . Compare Revelation 10:9 , Revelation 10:10 .

Verse 9

behold . . . lo . Fig, Asterismos. App-6 .

a roll of a book = a scroll. Compare Jeremiah 36:2 .Psalms 40:0 .

Verse 10

within and without . Contrary to the usual custom (within only), to show the abundance and completeness of his prophecies. Compare Revelation 5:1 .

lamentations . Aramaean and Septuagint read "lamentation "(singular)