Verse 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".

Verse 3

Then did I eat. Compare Revelation 10:10.

as honey, &c. Compare Psalms 19:10; Psalms 119:103. Jeremiah 15:16.

Verse 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.

Verse 6

people = peoples,

Verse 7

hearken = be willing to hearken.

will not hearken = are not willing to hearken.

are = they are.

impudent, &c. Reference to Pentateuch. See note on Ezekiel 2:4.

Verse 8

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6.

strong = strong, or hard (for endurance). Hebrew. hazak. Same as "harder "(Ezekiel 3:9). Compare the name Ezekiel in Title.

Verse 9

harder. Same as "strong" (verses: Ezekiel 3:8, Ezekiel 3:14).

rebellious house. See note on Ezekiel 2:5.

Verse 10

all My words.See note on Ezekiel 2:7.

Verse 11

captivity.Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6, for captives.

unto the children of. The 1611 edition of the Authorized Version omits these words.

children = sons.

the Lord GOD. Hebrew. Adonai Jehovah. App-4

whether, &c. See note on Ezekiel 2:7.

Verse 12

spirit. Hebrew roach. App-9. See notes on Ezekiel 8:3.

took me up = laid hold of me.

behind me. Therefore the prophet must have been facing south, as the glory appeared from the north (Ezekiel 1:4).

voice = sound.

saying, &c. By reading berum (arose) instead of baruk (Blessed), Ginsburg thinks the meaning should be "[when] the glory of Jehovah arose (or was lifted up) from its place" (Compare Ezekiel 10:4, Ezekiel 10:17, Ezekiel 10:19): i.e. when the vision was withdrawn.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

Verse 14

lifted me up, &c, Compare Acts 8:39, Acts 8:40. 2 Corinthians 12:4. Revelation 1:10. Compare Obadiah"s fear (1 Kings 18:12).

Verse 15

Chebar. Not the Chebar of Ezekiel 1:3. That was where he dwelt. This was the Chebar whither he was sent. See note on Ezekiel 1:3; the modern Khabour, a tributary of the Euphrates, forty-five miles from Babylon.

sat = dwelt; as in the preceding clause.

Verse 17

made = given. God"s prophets and ministers were His "gifts" (Ephesians 4:11).

watchman = one who looks out or views from a height, with the object of warning. Hebrew. zaphah. Compare Ezekiel 33:2, Ezekiel 33:6, Ezekiel 33:7, Isaiah 52:8; Ezekiel 56:10. Jeremiah 6:17. Not shamar, to keep in view with the object of guarding, as in Song of Solomon 3:3; Song of Solomon 5:7. Isaiah 21:11; Isaiah 62:6. These are the two spheres of the pastoral office.

give them warning. Hebrew zuhar, to give a signal by a beacon or other fire (Jeremiah 8:1). Occurs fourteen times in Ezekiel in connection with the prophet"s or pastor"s care. Compare verses: Ezekiel 3:18, Ezekiel 3:19, Ezekiel 3:10, Ezekiel 18:20, Ezekiel 18:21; Ezekiel 33:3, Ezekiel 33:4, Ezekiel 33:5, Ezekiel 33:6, Ezekiel 33:7, Ezekiel 33:8, Ezekiel 33:9.

Verse 18

wicked = lawless. Hebrew. rdsha`. App-44.

shalt surely die. Note the Figure of speech Polyptbtco, App-6(Inf. with Fut.), for emphasis. Hebrew "dying, thou wilt die". See notes on Genesis 2:17; Genesis 26:28.

his life = himself alive.

iniquity. Hebrew aval, App-44,

Verse 19

thy soul = thyself. Heb, nephesh. App-13.

Verse 20

righteousness. Heb, is plural in margin, but some codices, with one early printed edition, read "righteous deeds" (plural) in text and margin

sin. Hebrew chata. App-44.

Verse 21

shall surely live. See note on "shall surely die" (Ezekiel 3:18).

is warned = took warning.

Verse 22

plain = valley.

Verse 23

behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6. the glory, Sc. See note on Ezekiel 1:28.

Verse 26

a reprover = a man of reproof. Compare Ezekiel 24:27; Ezekiel 29:21; Ezekiel 33:22.

heareth = is minded to hear.

let him. = will.

forbeareth = is minded to forbear.