Charles Ellicott Commentary Ezekiel 3:15

"Then I came to them of the captivity at Tel-abib, that dwelt by the river Chebar, and to where they dwelt; and I sat there overwhelmed among them seven days." — Ezekiel 3:15 (ASV)

I came to them of the captivity at Telabib. — Ezekiel now leaves the place where he had been and comes to Tel-abib. This place, described as still being by the same “river of Chebar,” signifies “the mound of ears (of grain)” and was probably a place of especial fruitfulness, though it cannot be further identified. It appears to have been the central place of the captivity.

I sat where they sat is an expression of such difficulty in the Hebrew that it has given rise to various readings in the manuscripts and to a marginal correction followed by English translations. Probably, the vowel-pointing of the first word should be changed, and it will then read, “and I saw where they sat.”

Remained there astonished among them seven days. — (Ezra 9:3–4). The word implies a fixed and determined silence. “To be silent was the characteristic of mourners (Lamentations 3:28); to sit, their proper attitude (Isaiah 3:26; Lamentations 1:1); seven days, the set time of mourning (Job 2:13).” By this act, the prophet shows his deep sympathy with his people in their affliction.

This week of silent meditation among those to whom he was commissioned to speak corresponds, as already mentioned, to the week of the consecration of his forefathers to their priestly office (Leviticus 8:0). Such a season of retirement and thought has been given to other great religious leaders—to Moses, in his forty years of exile; to Elijah, in his forty days in Mount Horeb (1 Kings 19:4–8); to Saint Paul, in his journey to Arabia (Galatians 1:17); and to our Lord Himself, when He went into the wilderness after His baptism.