Ezekiel 2:9-3:3

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezekiel 2:6-10

The prophet, having received his commission, here receives a charge with it. It is a post of honour to which he is advanced, but withal it is a post of service and work, and it is here required of him, I. That he be bold. He must act in the discharge of this trust with an undaunted courage and resolution, and not be either driven off from his work or made to drive on heavily, by the difficulties and oppositions that he would be likely to meet with in it: Son of man, be not afraid of them,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 2:9

And when I looked, behold, an hand was sent unto me ,.... Not of an angel, but of Christ himself, in a visionary way; for this was not a real hand, but the likeness of one, as in Ezekiel 8:3 ; and so the Targum here, "and I saw, and behold, the likeness of a hand stretched out on the side to me.' This symbol was to show that his prophecy, that he was sent to deliver, was from heaven and came from Christ; and that hand that delivered it to him would protect and defend him: and, lo... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 2:9

A hand was sent - Here the hand signifies not only the instrument of conveyance, but an emblem of the Divine power, which the hand of God always signifies. A roll of a book - שפר מגלת megillath sepher . All ancient books were written so as to be rolled up; hence volumen , a volume, from volvo , I roll. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 2:9

Verse 9 Now the Prophet more fully explains what we have just dwelt upon. He narrates how a volume of a book was offered to him: that is, a book in the form of a roll was offered to him. For the noun which he uses, מגלת, megleth, comes from גלל, gelel, to roll, as the word volume among the Latins. For they were formerly accustomed to write on rolls, that is, they had not the form of books so compact and well arranged as we now use, but they had volumes, which barbarians call rolls. Ancient... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 2:9

An hand was sent ( put forth, Revised Version) unto me, etc. Apparently the hand was not that of the human form seated on the throne ( Ezekiel 1:26 ), nor of one of the four living creatures ( Ezekiel 1:8 ), but one appearing mysteriously by itself, as in the history of Belshazzar's feast ( Daniel 5:5 ). The words connect themselves with the use of the hand stretched out of a cloud as the symbols of the Divine energy both in Jewish and Christian art. The writer has in his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 2:9

The scroll. It is certainly remarkable that, whilst the ministry of Ezekiel was to be fulfilled by word of mouth, the communication of its substance should be figuratively represented by the scroll—"a roll of a book, written within and without." What the scroll was to the prophet, it may fairly be said, the volume of Holy Scripture is to us. Holy Writ is the record of successive revelations, and its form, as literature, answers very important purposes. Scripture is the standard of faith... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 2:9

Ezekiel 3:3 The vision of the roll; or, a view of the prophetic message. "And when I locked, behold, an hand was sent unto me," etc. This section concerning the roll of prophecy must be looked upon as being of the nature of vision. It pertained not to the external and material, but to the internal and spiritual. It suggests the following observations concerning the prophetic message. I. THE PROPHETIC MESSAGE IS RECEIVED FROM THE LORD . "And when I looked, behold, an... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ezekiel 2:9

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, our English 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 possessed with its contents (compare Ezekiel 3:10; Jeremiah 15:16). There... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ezekiel 2:9-10

Ezekiel 2:9-10. Behold a hand was sent unto me I saw a hand stretched out toward me, as from that divine person who appeared to me in the shape of a man. And lo, a roll of a book was therein Wherein were contained the contents of the following prophecy. And he spread it before me That I might understand the contents of it. And it was written within and without The ancient books were rolled on cylinders of wood or ivory, and usually the writing was only on the inside; but this was... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 2:1-10

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

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