Ezekiel 2:1

¶ And he said unto me, Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak unto thee.

And he said {H559} unto me, Son {H1121} of man {H120}, stand {H5975} upon thy feet {H7272}, and I will speak {H1696} unto thee.

He said to me, "Human being! Stand up! I want to speak with you!"

“Son of man,” He said to me, “stand up on your feet and I will speak to you.”

And he said unto me, Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak with thee.

Ezekiel 2:1 marks a pivotal moment in the prophet Ezekiel's divine encounter, transitioning from a state of overwhelming awe to a posture of readiness for God's direct communication. After experiencing a breathtaking vision of God's glory and the heavenly throne, Ezekiel is addressed personally by the Lord and given a specific command to prepare for his prophetic ministry.

Context

This verse immediately follows Ezekiel's profound and detailed vision of God's glory, a cherubim-borne throne-chariot, and a brilliant appearance "as the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD" (Ezekiel 1:28). Overwhelmed by the divine majesty, Ezekiel had fallen on his face. The command to "stand upon thy feet" is therefore a call to shift from prostration to active reception, signifying a preparation to hear and receive the weighty words God is about to impart. Ezekiel was among the Jewish exiles by the river Chebar in Babylon, making this call to prophecy significant for his fellow captives.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Authority and Sovereignty: The immediate command, "stand upon thy feet," demonstrates God's absolute authority over His chosen messenger. God initiates the conversation and sets the terms for communication.
  • Prophetic Commission: This verse is the beginning of Ezekiel's formal commissioning. Before God delivers His message, He requires the prophet to be in a state of attentive readiness, highlighting the seriousness of the divine word.
  • Humanity in God's Presence: The title "Son of man" emphasizes Ezekiel's humble human status in contrast to the overwhelming divine glory he has just witnessed. Despite his frailty, God chooses to speak directly to him.
  • Readiness to Hear: The physical act of standing symbolizes spiritual and mental preparedness to receive and understand God's revelation. It implies respect, attentiveness, and a willingness to obey.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Son of man" is a direct translation of the Hebrew ben 'adam (בֶן אָדָם). In the book of Ezekiel, this title is used over 90 times by God when addressing the prophet. It serves to underscore Ezekiel's humanity, his mortality, and his dependence on God, especially when contrasted with the transcendent power and glory of the Almighty. It distinguishes him as a representative of humanity, chosen to deliver a divine message to other humans.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 2:1 offers timeless lessons for believers today. Just as God commanded Ezekiel to stand and listen, we are called to adopt a posture of readiness and humility when seeking to hear God's voice. This involves:

  • Attentiveness: Being prepared to listen intently when God speaks, whether through His Word, prayer, or circumstances.
  • Reverence: Recognizing the holiness and authority of God, approaching His presence with due respect.
  • Obedience: Understanding that hearing God's word often precedes a call to action or a specific mission. Our readiness to hear should be coupled with a willingness to obey.
  • Humility: Remembering our human limitations even as we are chosen for divine purposes, allowing God's power to be magnified through our yieldedness.

This verse reminds us that genuine spiritual encounter often leads to a divine commission, requiring us to rise from our places of awe and actively engage with God's will for our lives.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Daniel 10:11

    And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.

  • Ezekiel 4:1

    ¶ Thou also, son of man, take thee a tile, and lay it before thee, and pourtray upon it the city, [even] Jerusalem:

  • Ezekiel 3:17

    Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.

  • 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.

  • Ezekiel 3:1

    ¶ Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel.

  • Ezekiel 5:1

    ¶ And thou, son of man, take thee a sharp knife, take thee a barber's razor, and cause [it] to pass upon thine head and upon thy beard: then take thee balances to weigh, and divide the [hair].

  • Matthew 16:13

    ¶ When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

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