King James Version
Ezekiel 2
10 verses with commentary
Ezekiel's Call and Commission
And he said unto me, Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak unto thee.
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KJV Study Commentary
God addresses Ezekiel with the title 'Son of man' (ben-adam, בֶּן־אָדָם), which appears 93 times in this book—more than any other biblical book. This title emphasizes Ezekiel's humanity, frailty, and mortality in contrast to divine glory just revealed. The command to 'stand upon thy feet' demonstrates that prostration before God's glory (1:28) was appropriate initially, but God wants servants stan...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(1) **Son of man.**—The voice that now came to Ezekiel was articulate, and spoke to him in words which he could understand. It is not said who it was that spoke, but the “He” in connection with the vision before him could be none other than the Most High, whose glory that vision was given to reveal. The phrase “son of man” is common enough throughout the Scriptures, as meaning simply *man, *but is...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 2
Lamentation for the misery of Jerusalem.
**Verses 1-9** A sad representation is here made of the state of God's church, of Jacob and Israel; but the notice seems mostly to refer to the hand of the Lord in their calamities. Yet God is not an enemy to his people, when he is angry with them and corrects them. And gates and bars stand in no stead when God withdraws his protection. It i...
Read full commentary →And the spirit entered into me when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet, that I heard him that spake unto me.
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KJV Study Commentary
The Spirit's enabling is essential for prophetic ministry: "the spirit entered into me when he spake unto me." The Hebrew ruach (רוּחַ) can mean wind, breath, or spirit—here clearly referring to God's empowering presence. Divine revelation requires divine enablement; human capacity cannot comprehend or communicate God's word without supernatural assistance. This anticipates Pentecost where the Spi...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2) **And the spirit entered into me.—**Always Divine strength is vouchsafed to the prophets when thus overcome by the glory of their visions. (Comp. Isaiah 6:5-7; Daniel 8:18; Daniel 10:15-19; Revelation 1:17.) There can be no doubt, therefore, that *the spirit *is here the Spirit of God, and not merely the prophet’s own human vigour and courage; and this is made still more plain in Ezekiel 3:24....
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
CHAPTER 31 Jr 31:1-40. Continuation of the Prophecy in the Thirtieth Chapter.
As in that chapter the restoration of Judah, so in this the restoration of Israel's ten tribes is foretold.
**1. At the same time--**"In the latter days" (Jr 30:24).
**the God of--**manifesting My grace to (Ge 17:7; Mt 22:32; Re 21:3).
**all ... Israel--**not the exiles of the south kingdom of Judah only, but als...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 2
Lamentation for the misery of Jerusalem.
**Verses 1-9** A sad representation is here made of the state of God's church, of Jacob and Israel; but the notice seems mostly to refer to the hand of the Lord in their calamities. Yet God is not an enemy to his people, when he is angry with them and corrects them. And gates and bars stand in no stead when God withdraws his protection. It i...
Read full commentary →And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day. nation: Heb. nations
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KJV Study Commentary
God identifies Ezekiel's audience as 'a rebellious nation' (goy mored, גּוֹי מֹרֵד), using 'goy'—typically reserved for Gentile nations—to indicate Israel has forfeited covenant distinctiveness through rebellion. The phrase 'they and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day' emphasizes persistent, multigenerational disobedience continuing into Ezekiel's present. The Hebr...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) **I send thee to the children of Israel.**—Here properly begins the distinct commission of the prophet. After the captivity of the ten tribes, the two forming the kingdom of Judah, with such remnants of the others as had been induced by Hezekiah and others to cast in their lot with them, are constantly spoken of as “Israel.” (See Ezra 2:2.) The continuity of the whole nation was considered as ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
2. Upon the grace manifested to Israel "in the wilderness" God grounds His argument for renewing His favors to them now in their exile; because His covenant is "everlasting" (Jr 31:3), and changes not. The same argument occurs in Ho 13:5, 9, 10; 14:4, 5, 8. Babylon is fitly compared to the "wilderness," as in both alike Israel was as a stranger far from his appointed "rest" or home, and Babylon is...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 2
Lamentation for the misery of Jerusalem.
**Verses 1-9** A sad representation is here made of the state of God's church, of Jacob and Israel; but the notice seems mostly to refer to the hand of the Lord in their calamities. Yet God is not an enemy to his people, when he is angry with them and corrects them. And gates and bars stand in no stead when God withdraws his protection. It i...
Read full commentary →For they are impudent children and stiffhearted . I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD. impudent: Heb. hard of face
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KJV Study Commentary
God commissions Ezekiel to minister to "impudent children and stiffhearted"—literally "hard-faced and hard-hearted." The Hebrew chazaq-lev (חֲזַק־לֵב) describes willful obstinacy, not ignorance. This forewarns that faithful preaching often meets resistance, yet the prophet must speak regardless of response. Success in ministry is measured by faithfulness, not results. The doctrine of total depravi...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **Impudent children.**—Literally, as in margin, *hard of face. *The epithet is repeated in Ezekiel 3:7, and it is with reference to this that in Ezekiel 3:7-8 the prophet’s face is to be made strong, and his forehead “harder than flint.” “The Lord God” is in the original “the Lord Jehovah,” the second name taking the pointing of, and being translated “God,” because of the word “Lord” preceding...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
3. Israel gratefully acknowledges in reply God's past grace; but at the same time tacitly implies by the expression "of old," that God does not appear to her now. "God appeared to me of old, but now I am forsaken!" God replies, Nay, I love thee with the same love now as of old. My love was not a momentary impulse, but from "everlasting" in My counsels, and to "everlasting" in its continuance; henc...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 2
Lamentation for the misery of Jerusalem.
**Verses 1-9** A sad representation is here made of the state of God's church, of Jacob and Israel; but the notice seems mostly to refer to the hand of the Lord in their calamities. Yet God is not an enemy to his people, when he is angry with them and corrects them. And gates and bars stand in no stead when God withdraws his protection. It i...
Read full commentary →And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them.
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KJV Study Commentary
God assures Ezekiel that even if Israel refuses to hear, "they shall know that there hath been a prophet among them." This remarkable statement emphasizes two truths: (1) Prophetic ministry carries inherent authority regardless of reception, and (2) Rejected truth becomes testimony against those who refuse it. The phrase anticipates Romans 1:20—human accountability before God rests on revelation g...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5) **Whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear.**—Comp. Ezekiel 3:11. God’s word remains the same whatever reception man may accord to it; it cannot return unto Him void, but must accomplish that which He pleases (Isaiah 55:11); just as the Apostles remained “unto God a sweet savour of Christ” alike “in them that are saved and in them that perish” (2Corinthians 2:15-16). But while the ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**4. I will build ... thou shalt be built--**The combination of the active and passive to express the same fact implies the infallible certainty of its accomplishment. "Build," that is, establish in prosperity (Jr 33:7).
**adorned with ... tabrets--**(1Sa 18:6). Or, "adorn thyself with thy timbrels"; used by damsels on occasions of public rejoicings (Ex 15:20; Jud 11:34). Israel had cast away al...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 2
Lamentation for the misery of Jerusalem.
**Verses 1-9** A sad representation is here made of the state of God's church, of Jacob and Israel; but the notice seems mostly to refer to the hand of the Lord in their calamities. Yet God is not an enemy to his people, when he is angry with them and corrects them. And gates and bars stand in no stead when God withdraws his protection. It i...
Read full commentary →And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house. briers: or, rebels
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KJV Study Commentary
God commands Ezekiel four times: "be not afraid" of briars, thorns, scorpions, or their words. The metaphors describe hostile opposition—physical danger and verbal persecution. This divine commission requires courage grounded in God's presence, not human bravery. The repetition emphasizes the natural fearfulness of prophetic ministry and the supernatural courage required. Jesus echoes this in Matt...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) **Briers and thorns.**—These words occur only here, but their meaning is sufficiently plain. *Briers, *indeed, might admit of the marginal translation, *rebels, *but both words should be taken together, either as adjectives or nouns, and the latter is more in accordance with the following “scorpions,” and with the general strongly figurative style of Ezekiel.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**5. Samaria--**the metropolis of the ten tribes; here equivalent to Israel. The mountainous nature of their country suited the growth of the vine.
**eat ... as common--**literally, "shall profane," that is, shall put to common use. For the first three years after planting, the vine was "not to be eaten of"; on the fourth year the fruit was to be "holy to praise the Lord withal"; on the fifth ye...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-10** Those who will do any thing to purpose in the service of God, must not fear men. Wicked men are as briers and thorns; but they are nigh unto cursing, and their end is to be burned. The prophet must be faithful to the souls of those to whom he was sent. All who speak from God to others, must obey his voice. The discoveries of sin, and the warnings of wrath, should be matter of lamen...
Read full commentary →And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious. most: Heb. rebellion
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KJV Study Commentary
God commands: "thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear." This fundamental principle governs all biblical ministry: faithfulness matters more than fruitfulness. The prophet's responsibility is proclamation; the response belongs to God's sovereignty. This counters results-oriented ministry that compromises truth for acceptance. Paul echoes this in 2 ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
6. The watchmen stationed on eminences (types of the preachers of the gospel), shall summon the ten tribes to go up to the annual feasts at Jerusalem ("Zion"), as they used to do before the revolt and the setting up of the idol calves at Dan and Beer-sheba (Eze 37:21, 22).
**Mount Ephraim--**not one single mountain, but the whole mountainous region of the ten tribes.
**our God--**from whom we ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-10** Those who will do any thing to purpose in the service of God, must not fear men. Wicked men are as briers and thorns; but they are nigh unto cursing, and their end is to be burned. The prophet must be faithful to the souls of those to whom he was sent. All who speak from God to others, must obey his voice. The discoveries of sin, and the warnings of wrath, should be matter of lamen...
Read full commentary →But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee.
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KJV Study Commentary
God warns Ezekiel not to imitate Israel's rebellion, using emphatic language: 'Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house' (al-timror kemeri beyit-hameri, אַל־תִּמְרוֹר כְּבֵית הַמֶּרִי). The repetition of 'rebellious' underscores Israel's defining characteristic. The command to 'open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee' introduces the prophetic scroll vision (2:9-10), but metaphorically co...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(8) **Eat that I give thee.**—This is to be understood, like all that has gone before, as done in vision, as in the case of the book eaten by St. John in Revelation 10:9-10. The figure of eating for receiving into the heart, so as to be thoroughly possessed by what is communicated, is not an uncommon one. (Comp. Jeremiah 15:16; John 6:53-58.)
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
7. The people are urged with praises and prayers to supplicate for their universal restoration. Jehovah is represented in the context (Jr 31:1, 8), as promising immediately to restore Israel. They therefore praise God for the restoration, being as certain of it as if it were actually accomplished; and at the same time pray for it, as prayer was a means to the desired end. Prayer does not move God ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-10** Those who will do any thing to purpose in the service of God, must not fear men. Wicked men are as briers and thorns; but they are nigh unto cursing, and their end is to be burned. The prophet must be faithful to the souls of those to whom he was sent. All who speak from God to others, must obey his voice. The discoveries of sin, and the warnings of wrath, should be matter of lamen...
Read full commentary →And when I looked, behold, an hand was sent unto me; and, lo, a roll of a book was therein;
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KJV Study Commentary
The extended hand holding a scroll symbolizes divine initiative in revelation. God provides the message the prophet must deliver; Ezekiel invents nothing. The scroll's content (3:1-3) is "lamentations, and mourning, and woe"—Israel's judgment written beforehand. This imagery emphasizes sola Scriptura: God's written Word, not human insight, constitutes authoritative revelation. The prophet must con...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(9) **Was sent unto me.**—Better, *was put forth, *as the same word is translated in Genesis 3:22; Genesis 19:10; Ezekiel 8:3. In Ezekiel 10:7 it is rendered *stretched forth, *with the marginal *sent forth, *and the corresponding Chaldee word in Daniel 5:24 is translated “sent.” It is not that a hand by itself containing the roll was sent to the prophet, but a hand, either of one of the cherubim,...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**8. north--**Assyria, Media, &c. (see on Jr 3:12; Jr 3:18; 23:8).
**gather from ... coasts of ... earth--**(Eze 20:34, 41; 34:13).
**blind ... lame, &c.--**Not even the most infirm and unfit persons for a journey shall be left behind, so universal shall be the restoration.
**a great company--**or, they shall return "in a great company" [Maurer].
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-10** Those who will do any thing to purpose in the service of God, must not fear men. Wicked men are as briers and thorns; but they are nigh unto cursing, and their end is to be burned. The prophet must be faithful to the souls of those to whom he was sent. All who speak from God to others, must obey his voice. The discoveries of sin, and the warnings of wrath, should be matter of lamen...
Read full commentary →And he spread it before me; and it was written within and without: and there was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe.
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KJV Study Commentary
The scroll "written within and without" (both sides) signifies the comprehensive and complete nature of God's revealed judgment. Typically, only one side of a scroll was used; writing on both sides indicated unusual abundance of content. The message contains "lamentations, mourning, and woe"—threefold emphasis on sorrowful judgment. This comprehensiveness foreshadows the total devastation coming u...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(10) **He spread it before me.**—The roll was given to the prophet open, as the book in Revelation 10:8, that he might first see it all as a whole, before becoming thoroughly possessed with it in detail. What he saw was “lamentations, and mourning, and woe;” in other words, this was the whole character of the message he was commissioned to bear until the great judgment in the destruction of Jerusa...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**9. weeping--**for their past sins which caused their exile (Psa 126:5, 6). Although they come with weeping, they shall return with joy (Jr 50:4, 5).
**supplications--**(Compare Jr 31:18, 19; Jr 3:21-25; Zec 12:10). Margin translates "favors," as in Jos 11:20; Ezr 9:8; thus God's favors or compassions are put in opposition to the people's weeping; their tears shall be turned into joy. But Engli...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-10** Those who will do any thing to purpose in the service of God, must not fear men. Wicked men are as briers and thorns; but they are nigh unto cursing, and their end is to be burned. The prophet must be faithful to the souls of those to whom he was sent. All who speak from God to others, must obey his voice. The discoveries of sin, and the warnings of wrath, should be matter of lamen...
Read full commentary →