Ezekiel 3:1

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezekiel 3:1-15

These verses are fitly joined by some translators to the foregoing chapter, as being of a piece with it and a continuation of the same vision. The prophets received the word from God that they might deliver it to the people of God, furnished themselves that they might furnish them with the knowledge of the mind and will of God. Now here the prophet is taught, I. How he must receive divine revelation himself, Ezek. 3:1. Christ (whom he saw upon the throne, Ezek. 1:26) said to him, ?Son of man,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 3:1

Moreover he said unto me ,.... The same glorious Person who had been speaking all along in the preceding chapter; and who was seen by the prophet on a sapphire throne, and described in Ezekiel 1:26 ; the first fifteen verses of this chapter are by Junius and Tremellius made a part of the second: son of man, eat that thou findest ; not anything, but what he found in the hand sent unto him; wherefore the Targum is, "son of man, receive what is given thee;' which was the roll, as... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 3:1

Eat this roll, and go speak - This must have passed in vision; but the meaning is plain. Receive my word - let it enter into thy Soul; digest it - let it be thy nourishment; and let it be thy meat and drink to do the will of thy Father who is in heaven. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 3:1

Verse 1 When the Prophet is ordered to eat whatever he receives, this ought not to be extended to everything which he meets with, but, whatever may be the taste of the book, he is forbidden to refuse it: for its bitterness might possibly cause him to reject the threats of God. Lastly, the quality of the book is noted, because it contained nothing but the material for sorrow. He adds, that he opened his mouth, for the sake of obedience; by which he signifies that he was not curious or dainty in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 3:1

Eat that thou findest, etc. The iteration of the command of Ezekiel 2:8 seems to imply, like the words, "be not thou rebellious," in that verse, some reluctance on the prophet's part. In substance the command was equivalent to that of Revelation 22:18 , Revelation 22:19 . The true prophet does not choose his message ( Acts 4:20 ); his "meat" is to do his Lord's will ( John 4:34 ), and he takes what he "finds" as given to him by that will. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 3:1-3

Eating a book. I. THE FOOD PROVIDED . 1 . This is in the form of literature. Ezekiel receives a written roll. All good literature is mental food—not merely a plaything or a sweetmeat, but soul stuff for sustaining intellectual life and promoting mental growth. God feeds our highest nature through literature. His Spirit comes through his Truth, his Truth is revealed in his Word, and his Word is contained in a book—the Bible. 2 . This must be taken as it is provided. Ezekiel... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ezekiel 3:1

Before, there was a direct commission, now there is a symbolic action. John has the same vision (Revelation 10:8 ff), but there that is expressed, which is here left to be inferred, namely, that “as soon as he had eaten it his belly was bitter.” The sweetness in the mouth denoted that it was good to be a messenger of the Lord (compare the margin reference), but the bitterness which accompanied it, denoted that the commission brought with it much sorrow. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ezekiel 3:1-3

Ezekiel 3:1-3. Son of man, eat that which thou findest Chaldee, that which is given thee. Eat this roll Receive into thy mind and heart, as certain and important truth, what is written therein: see note on Ezekiel 2:8-9. So I opened my mouth, &c. In my vision I thought I readily complied with God’s command, and ate the roll which he ordered me to eat. This was a sort of symbolical introduction of Ezekiel to the prophetic office, whereby he was fitted for, and enabled to discharge... 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 3:1

Son of man . See note on Ezekiel 2:1 . eat . Compare Ezekiel 3:10 . AIso Job 23:12 , Psalms 119:103 , and Jeremiah 15:16 . the house of Israel. See note on Exodus 16:31 . house. Some codices, with one early printed edition, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "sons". read more

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