Ezekiel 1:1

Ezekiel. In Hebrew. Y heze el yehazzek- el = El is strong, or El strengthens (compare Israel, Genesis 32:28 ).

Of the four greater prophets , Ezekiel and Daniel (who prophesied in Babylonia) are compounded with "El" ( App-4 . IV); while Isaiah and Jeremiah (who prophesied in the land) are compounded with "Jah".

Ezekiel was a priest (Ezekiel 1:3 ), carried away eleven years before the destruction of the city and temple (Ezekiel 1:2 ; Ezekiel 33:21 . 2 Kings 24:14 ). He dwelt in his own house (8. I. Compare Jeremiah 29:5 ). He was married; and his wife died in the year when the siege of Jerusalem began.

Now = And. This is a link in the prophetic chain. Compare 1 Peter 1:10-12 . 2 Peter 1:21 . Ezekiel had doubtless received and seen the letter sent by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 29:1-32 ).

thirtieth . . . fourth , See notes on p. 1105.

fifth day . Dates in Ezekiel are always of the month, not of the week (Ezekiel 1:1 ; Ezekiel 8:1 ; Ezekiel 20:1 ; Ezekiel 24:1 ; Ezekiel 26:1 ; Ezekiel 29:1 ; Ezekiel 30:20 ; Ezekiel 31:1 ; Ezekiel 32:1 ; Ezekiel 40:1 ).

captives . Hebrew captivity. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , forcaptives", as translated. Compare Ezekiel 3:15 ,

Chebar . Now Khabour, Probably the same as Chebor or Habor (2 Kings 17:6 ; 2 Kings 18:11 . 1 Chronicles 5:26 ), falling into the Euphrates about forty-five miles north of Babylon. On the Inscription it is called nar Kabari = great river, or "Grand Canal", cut between the Tigris and the Euphrates. In Ch. Ezekiel 3:15 , it is not the same "Chebar" as in Ezekiel 1:1 , but the Chebar to which Ezekiel was sent ("go, get thee", Ezekiel 3:4 ). The "Chebar" of Ezekiel 1:1 was where he dwelt; that of Ezekiel 3:15 is where he was sent,

of = from. Genitive of Origin or Efficient Cause. App-17 .

God. Hebrew. Elohim . App-4 .