King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 1:3 Mean?

Ezekiel 1:3 in the King James Version says “The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river ...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him. Ezekiel: Heb. Jehezkel”

Ezekiel 1:3 · KJV

Context

1

Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. captives: Heb. captivity

2

In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin's captivity,

3

The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him. Ezekiel: Heb. Jehezkel

4

And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire. infolding: Heb. catching itself

5

Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man.

Read Ezekiel 1 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse introduces one of Scripture's most extraordinary visions with precise historical and prophetic credentials. The phrase 'the word of the LORD came expressly' uses the Hebrew 'hayoh hayah' (הָיֹה הָיָה), an emphatic construction meaning 'certainly came' or 'definitely came,' emphasizing the undeniable reality of divine revelation. Ezekiel's priestly lineage ('the son of Buzi') is significant—as a priest, he should have been serving in Jerusalem's temple, but instead ministers among exiles by Babylon's irrigation canals. The 'hand of the LORD' (yad-Yahweh, יַד־יְהוָה) denotes powerful divine enablement and prophetic empowerment, a phrase appearing seven times in Ezekiel. This theophany occurs in exile, demonstrating that God's presence is not confined to Jerusalem's temple. The vision transforms Ezekiel from priest to prophet, from temple servant to exilic spokesman for God.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This vision occurred in 593 BC, the fifth year of King Jehoiachin's exile, exactly five years after Nebuchadnezzar's first conquest of Jerusalem (597 BC). Ezekiel was among the 10,000 skilled workers, nobles, and leaders deported to Babylon (2 Kings 24:14-16). The 'river Chebar' (modern Shatt en-Nil) was a major irrigation canal southeast of Babylon near Nippur, where a Jewish settlement existed. Archaeological discoveries at Nippur confirm significant Jewish presence. As a priest approximately 30 years old (the age priests began temple service, Numbers 4:3), Ezekiel faced crushing disappointment—he would never serve in Jerusalem's temple. Yet God commissioned him for a different, vital ministry: calling exiles to repentance and offering hope of future restoration.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's appearance to Ezekiel in exile challenge our assumptions about where and how God meets His people?
  2. What disappointments or displaced expectations in your life might God be transforming into new ministry opportunities?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
הָיֹ֣ה1 of 19
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

הָיָ֣ה2 of 19
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

דְבַר3 of 19

“The word”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

יְהוָֽה׃4 of 19

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֶל5 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְחֶזְקֵ֨אל6 of 19

“came expressly unto Ezekiel”

H3168

jechezkel, the name of two israelites

בֶּן7 of 19

“the son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

בּוּזִ֧י8 of 19

“of Buzi”

H941

buzi, an israelite

הַכֹּהֵ֛ן9 of 19

“the priest”

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

בְּאֶ֥רֶץ10 of 19

“in the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

כַּשְׂדִּ֖ים11 of 19

“of the Chaldeans”

H3778

a kasdite, or descendant of kesed; by implication, a chaldaean (as if so descended); also an astrologer (as if proverbial of that people

עַל12 of 19
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

נְהַר13 of 19

“by the river”

H5104

a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity

כְּבָ֑ר14 of 19

“Chebar”

H3529

kebar, a river of mesopotamia

וַתְּהִ֥י15 of 19
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

עָלָ֛יו16 of 19
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

שָׁ֖ם17 of 19
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

יַד18 of 19

“and the hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

יְהוָֽה׃19 of 19

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezekiel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezekiel 1:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezekiel 1:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 3:22Ezekiel 3:141 Kings 18:462 Kings 3:15Ezekiel 37:1Ezekiel 33:22

Places in This Verse

ChaldeaRegion · Modern: Tell el Muqayyar · 30.96°N, 46.10°E85 verses across 11 books
ChebarRiver · Modern: Shatt en Nil · 32.13°N, 45.23°E8 verses across 1 book
View all places in Ezekiel 1 →

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