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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 3:5

Of a strange speech and of a hard language , etc.; literally, as in margin, both of Authorized Version and Revised Version, to a people deep of lip and heavy of tongue ; i.e. to a barbarous people outside the covenant, Chaldeans, Assyrians, Scythians: not speaking the familiar sacred speech of Israel (compare the "stammering lips and another tongue" of Isaiah 28:11 ; Isaiah 33:19 ). The thought implied is that Ezekiel's mission, as to "the lost sheep of the house of Israel" ( ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 3:5

Colonial missions. Ezekiel was not sent, like Jonah, to a foreign city; though living among people of a strange language, he was not called upon to preach to the natives. His mission was to a colony of fellow Jews in a foreign country. He is the typical colonial missionary of the Old Testament. I. THE CLAIMS OF COLONIAL MISSIONS . Broadly stated, there are two great claims in colonial missions. 1 . Close kinship. The colonists are our brethren. Charity begins at home,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 3:6

Surely, if I sent thee to them, etc. The "surely" represents the Hebrew "if not" taken as a strong affirmation, just as "if" in Psalms 95:11 represents a strong negation; compare the use of the fuller formula jurandi in 1 Samuel 3:17 ; 2 Samuel 3:35 ; 2 Samuel 19:13 ; and of the same in Deuteronomy 1:35 ; Isaiah 62:8 ; and in Ezekiel himself ( Ezekiel 17:19 ). The margin of the Authorized Version, If I had sent thee to them, would they not have hearkened, etc.? expresses... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ezekiel 3:6

To many people - To various nations using diverse languages.Surely - The thought is that expressed by our Saviour Himself (margin reference). Some render it: “but I have sent thee unto these; they can hearken” etc. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ezekiel 3:5-8

Ezekiel 3:5-8. Thou art not sent to a people of a strange speech It would be a great addition to the burden of thy office if thou wert sent, as Jonah was, as a prophet to a foreign nation, and to a people whose language thou couldest not understand, nor they thine. Not to many people of a strange speech, &c. God seems, as it were, to hint here that the time would come when he should order his messengers to go to many people of a strange speech, and should find those who would obey him... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 3:1-15

Sent to a stubborn people (2:1-3:15)In contrast to the glorious and almighty God, Ezekiel is addressed merely as ‘son of man’. This was a Hebrew phrase which here simply means ‘man’ (GNB: mortal man) and which is used consistently throughout the book when Ezekiel is addressed (2:1-2). God was going to send Ezekiel with his message to his rebellious people (3). Ezekiel was warned that he might suffer cruel treatment at the hands of his countrymen, but he had to persevere. Whether they heeded his... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ezekiel 3:4

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. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Ezekiel 3:4

"And he said unto me, Son of man, go, get thee unto the house of Israel, and speak with my words unto them. For thou art not sent to a people of strange speech and of a hard language, but to the house of Israel; not to many peoples of a strange speech and of a hard language, whose words thou canst not understand. Surely, if I sent thee to them, they would hearken unto thee. But the house of Israel will not hearken unto thee; for they will not hearken unto me: for all the house of Israel are of... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ezekiel 3:5

5. See Margin, Hebrew, "deep of lip, and heavy of tongue," that is, men speaking an obscure and unintelligible tongue. Even they would have listened to the prophet; but the Jews, though addressed in their own tongue, will not hear him. read more

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