Albert Barnes Commentary Ezekiel 2
Albert Barnes Commentary
Ezekiel 2
Albert Barnes Commentary
Ezekiel 2
"And he said unto me, Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak with thee." — Ezekiel 2:1 (ASV)
Son of man - This phrase (which occurs elsewhere in Scripture) is applied especially to Ezekiel and Daniel, the prophets of the captivity. Ezekiel is thus reminded of his humanity, at the time when he is especially permitted to have contact with God.
"And the Spirit entered into me when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet; and I heard him that spake unto me." — Ezekiel 2:2 (ASV)
The spirit - that is, “the Spirit of God.”
"And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to nations that are rebellious, which have rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me even unto this very day. And the children are impudent and stiffhearted: I do sent thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah." — Ezekiel 2:3-4 (ASV)
Nation - literally, as in the margin - the word which usually distinguishes the pagan from God's people. Here it expresses that Israel is cast off by God; and the plural is used to denote that the children of Israel are not even “one nation,” but scattered and disunited.
Translate: “I send thee to the children of Israel, the rebellious nation that have rebelled against Me (they and their fathers have transgressed against Me, even to this very day), and the children impudent and stiff-hearted: I do send thee unto them.”
"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." — Ezekiel 2:5 (ASV)
A rebellious house - A phrase employed continually by Ezekiel in bitter irony, instead of house of Israel, as if to say, “House no longer of Israel, but of rebellion.” .
"And when I looked, behold, a hand was put forth unto me; and, lo, a roll of a book was therein;" — Ezekiel 2:9 (ASV)
Was sent – Rather, was put forth.
A roll of a book – The book was one of the ancient kind, written on skins rolled up together. Hence, the English term 'volume' (Psalms 40:7). The writing was usually on one side, but in this case, it was written within and without—on both sides—the writing, as it were, running over to express the abundance of the calamities in store for the devoted people.
To eat the book signifies to be thoroughly filled with its contents (Jeremiah 15:16). There should be no break between Ezekiel 2:10 and Ezekiel 3:0.
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