Bible Commentaries
Ezekiel 3

Verse 1

Son of man . See note on Ezekiel 2:1 .

eat . Compare Ezekiel 3:10 . AIso Job 23:12 , Psalms 119:103 , and Jeremiah 15:16 .

the house of Israel. See note on Exodus 16:31 . house. Some codices, with one early printed edition, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "sons".

Verse 3

Then did I eat . Compare Revelation 10:10 .

as honey , &c. Compare Psalms 19:10 ; Psalms 119:103 .Jeremiah 15:16 .

Verse 4

speak with My words. This is inspiration. See note on Ezekiel 2:5 , Ezekiel 2:7 . Ezekiel's voice and pen, but Jehovah's words.

Verse 6

people = peoples,

Verse 7

hearken = be willing to hearken.

will not hearken = are not willing to hearken.

are = they are.

impudent , &c. Reference to Pentateuch. See note on Ezekiel 2:4 .

Verse 8

Behold . Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

strong = strong, or hard (for endurance). Hebrew. hazak. Same as "harder "(Ezekiel 3:9 ). Compare the name Ezekiel in Title.

Verse 9

harder . Same as "strong" (verses: Ezekiel 3:8 , Ezekiel 3:14 ).

rebellious house . See note on Ezekiel 2:5 .

Verse 10

all My words. See note on Ezekiel 2:7 .

Verse 11

captivity. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , for captives.

unto the children of . The 1611 edition of the Authorized Version omits these words.

children = sons.

the Lord GOD . Hebrew. Adonai Jehovah . App-4

whether , &c. See note on Ezekiel 2:7 .

Verse 12

spirit. Hebrew roach. App-9 . See notes on Ezekiel 8:3 .

took me up = laid hold of me.

behind me. Therefore the prophet must have been facing south, as the glory appeared from the north (Ezekiel 1:4 ).

voice = sound.

saying, &c. By reading berum (arose) instead of baruk (Blessed), Ginsburg thinks the meaning should be "[when] the glory of Jehovah arose (or was lifted up) from its place" (Compare Ezekiel 10:4 , Ezekiel 10:17 , Ezekiel 10:19 ): i.e. when the vision was withdrawn.

the LORD . Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

Verse 14

lifted me up , &c, Compare Acts 8:39 , Act 8:40 . 2 Corinthians 12:4 .Revelation 1:10 . Compare Obadiah's fear (1 Kings 18:12 ).

Verse 15

Chebar. Not the Chebar of Ezekiel 1:3 . That was where he dwelt. This was the Chebar whither he was sent. See note on Ezekiel 1:3 ; the modern Khabour, a tributary of the Euphrates, forty-five miles from Babylon.

sat = dwelt; as in the preceding clause.

Verse 17

made = given. God's prophets and ministers were His "gifts" (Ephesians 4:11 ).

watchman = one who looks out or views from a height, with the object of warning. Hebrew. zaphah. Compare Ezekiel 33:2 , Ezekiel 33:6 , Ezekiel 33:7 , Isaiah 52:8 ; Eze 56:10 . Jeremiah 6:17 . Not shamar , to keep in view with the object of guarding, as in Song of Solomon 3:3 ; Song of Solomon 5:7 . Isaiah 21:11 ; Isaiah 62:6 . These are the two spheres of the pastoral office.

give them warning. Hebrew zuhar , to give a signal by a beacon or other fire (Jeremiah 8:1 ). Occurs fourteen times in Ezekiel in connection with the prophet's or pastor's care. Compare verses: Ezekiel 3:18 , Ezekiel 3:19 , Ezekiel 3:10 , Ezekiel 18:20 , Ezekiel 18:21 ; Ezekiel 33:3 , Ezekiel 33:4 , Ezekiel 33:5 , Ezekiel 33:6 , Ezekiel 33:7 , Ezekiel 33:8 , Ezekiel 33:9 .

Verse 18

wicked = lawless. Hebrew. rdsha`. App-44 .

shalt surely die . Note the Figure of speech Polyptbtco, App-6 (Inf. with Fut.), for emphasis. Hebrew "dying, thou wilt die". See notes on Genesis 2:17 ; Genesis 26:28 .

his life = himself alive.

iniquity . Hebrew aval, App-44 ,

Verse 19

thy soul = thyself. Heb, nephesh. App-13 .

Verse 20

righteousness . Heb, is plural in margin, but some codices, with one early printed edition, read "righteous deeds" (plural) in text and margin

sin. Hebrew chata. App-44 .

Verse 21

shall surely live . See note on "shall surely die" (Ezekiel 3:18 ).

is warned = took warning.

Verse 22

plain = valley.

Verse 23

behold . Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 . the glory, Sc. See note on Ezekiel 1:28 .

Verse 26

a reprover = a man of reproof. Compare Ezekiel 24:27 ; Ezekiel 29:21 ; Ezekiel 33:22 .

heareth = is minded to hear.

let him. = will.

forbeareth = is minded to forbear.