Ezekiel 2:10

KJV

And he spread it before me; and it [was] written within and without: and [there was] written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he spread {H6566} it before {H6440} me; and it was written {H3789} within {H6440} and without {H268}: and there was written {H3789} therein lamentations {H7015}, and mourning {H1899}, and woe {H1958}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He spread it out in front of me, and it was covered with writing front and back. Written on it were laments, dirges and woes.

Berean Standard Bible

which He unrolled before me. And written on the front and back of it were words of lamentation, mourning, and woe.

American Standard Version

and he spread it before me: and it was written within and without; and there were written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 2:10 presents the prophet Ezekiel with a divinely commissioned scroll, inscribed on both sides with a message of profound sorrow and impending judgment. This scroll serves as a tangible representation of the comprehensive and unyielding nature of God's word to a persistently rebellious Israel, signaling that Ezekiel's prophetic ministry would primarily involve delivering pronouncements of inevitable disaster, deep lamentation, and divine woe in response to the nation's pervasive sin and unfaithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is intricately woven into the narrative of Ezekiel's prophetic call and commissioning, which unfolds across [Ezekiel 1](/ezekiel/1 "Ezekiel 1 - The Vision of God's Glory") through [Ezekiel 3](/ezekiel/3 "Ezekiel 3 - Ezekiel's Commission and Warning"). Immediately preceding this revelation, God has explicitly given Ezekiel his mandate to confront the "rebellious house" of Israel, highlighting their stubbornness, hard-heartedness, and defiance against divine authority, as detailed in [Ezekiel 2:3-8](/ezekiel/2-3-8 "Ezekiel 2:3-8 - God's Charge to Ezekiel"). The dramatic presentation of the scroll in [Ezekiel 2:9-10](/ezekiel/2-9-10 "Ezekiel 2:9-10 - The Hand and the Scroll of Judgment") acts as a visual and tangible embodiment of the divine message Ezekiel is not only to internalize but also to faithfully deliver. It powerfully underscores that the words he will speak are not his own human opinions or interpretations, but a direct, comprehensive, and divinely authored revelation. Following this pivotal moment, Ezekiel is commanded to consume the scroll, a symbolic act that further emphasizes the complete assimilation of God's word into his very being, thereby preparing him for the exceptionally difficult and often unwelcome task that lies ahead, as described in [Ezekiel 3:1-3](/ezekiel/3-1-3 "Ezekiel 3:1-3 - Eating the Scroll and Its Sweetness").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ezekiel received this profound vision while living among the exiles in Babylon, specifically by the Chebar Canal, around the year 593 BC. This period followed the initial wave of Babylonian deportations in 597 BC, which included King Jehoiachin and a significant portion of Jerusalem's elite. The specific audience to whom Ezekiel was commissioned to speak were those who had already experienced God's judgment firsthand through exile, yet many remained largely unrepentant, clinging to false hopes of a swift return to Jerusalem and the restoration of the temple. In the ancient Near East, scrolls were typically inscribed on only one side. The striking detail that this particular scroll was "written within and without" (on both sides) would have been exceptionally unusual and culturally loaded. This unique characteristic conveyed an extraordinary volume of content, suggesting a message so vast, complete, and urgent that it necessitated the use of every available surface, leaving no room for any other kind of inscription. This amplified the message's comprehensive nature and the severity of the judgment it contained, implying that Israel's pervasive sin and the resultant divine judgment were so thorough that they filled every possible space, leaving no aspect unaddressed.
* **Key Themes:** [Ezekiel 2:10](/ezekiel/2-10 "Ezekiel 2:10 - The Scroll of Lamentations") makes a profound contribution to several overarching theological and narrative themes prevalent throughout the book of Ezekiel. Firstly, it emphatically highlights the **Divine Authority and Sovereignty of God**, as He is the one who initiates the encounter, presents, and dictates the scroll's content, thereby emphasizing that Ezekiel's prophetic ministry is entirely God-ordained, God-empowered, and devoid of human origination. Secondly, this verse immediately establishes the dominant and pervasive theme of **Judgment and Accountability** for Israel's persistent rebellion, idolatry, and covenant unfaithfulness, setting a somber and foreboding tone for much of Ezekiel's early prophecies. The scroll's grim content—"lamentations, and mourning, and woe"—serves as a stark foreshadowing of the impending destruction of Jerusalem and its sacred temple, a central and devastating focus of the first half of the book, vividly depicted in passages such as [Ezekiel 4-24](/ezekiel/4 "Ezekiel 4-24 - Prophecies Against Jerusalem and Its Fall"). Thirdly, the highly unusual detail of the scroll being inscribed "within and without" powerfully conveys the **Completeness and Exhaustiveness of God's Word and Judgment**. This implies that every facet of Israel's sin has been meticulously accounted for, and consequently, God's righteous response will be thorough, inescapable, and all-encompassing. This comprehensive nature of God's divine word and its implications for covenant faithfulness is also a foundational principle expressed in the detailed legal and moral stipulations found throughout [Deuteronomy](/deuteronomy/1 "Deuteronomy - The Law and Covenant Renewal").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **spread (Hebrew, _pâras'_):** From H6566, meaning "to break apart, disperse, etc.; break, chop in pieces, lay open, scatter, spread (abroad, forth, selves, out), stretch (forth, out)." In this context, the word signifies the deliberate and intentional act of God (or the divine hand mentioned in [Ezekiel 2:9](/ezekiel/2-9 "Ezekiel 2:9 - The Hand with the Scroll")) unfolding or laying open the scroll directly before Ezekiel. This action emphasizes the divine initiative in revealing a hidden, yet critically important, message. It is not merely presented, but *spread out*, indicating a full and unobstructed display of its comprehensive contents for the prophet to behold.
* **written (Hebrew, _kâthab'_):** From H3789, a primitive root meaning "to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe); describe, record, prescribe, subscribe, write(-ing, -ten)." This term underscores the permanent, authoritative, and divinely authored nature of the scroll's message. It is not a fleeting thought, a transient oral tradition, or a human invention, but a fixed, inscribed decree. This emphasizes its unchangeable truth, its divine origin, and the absolute certainty of its impending fulfillment.
* **lamentations (Hebrew, _qîynâh'_):** From H7015, meaning "a dirge (as accompanied by beating the breasts or on instruments); lamentation." This specific term refers to a type of mournful song or poetic composition, traditionally recited at funerals, during periods of national disaster, or in expressions of profound sorrow and grief. Its prominent presence on the scroll immediately signals that the core message Ezekiel is commissioned to deliver will evoke deep sorrow, widespread mourning, and an overwhelming sense of loss, directly correlating with the catastrophic judgment awaiting Judah.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he spread it before me;":** This initial clause vividly describes the action of the divine hand (introduced in [Ezekiel 2:9](/ezekiel/2-9 "Ezekiel 2:9 - The Hand with the Scroll")) as it presents the scroll directly to Ezekiel. The verb "spread" (Hebrew: _pâras_) implies a deliberate and complete unveiling, ensuring that the entirety of the scroll's contents are made visible and accessible to the prophet. This action highlights the direct, personal, and intentional encounter Ezekiel experiences with divine revelation, emphasizing that this message is not something he sought or discovered, but something sovereignly given and fully revealed by God.
* **"and it [was] written within and without:":** This detail is profoundly significant and culturally striking. While ancient scrolls were almost exclusively written on only one side (the inside), the inscription on both surfaces indicates an extraordinary volume and density of content. Theologically, this unique characteristic powerfully symbolizes the overwhelming nature of Israel's pervasive sin and the exhaustive, inescapable, and all-encompassing character of God's impending judgment. It conveys that there is no aspect of their rebellion left unaddressed, and crucially, no remaining space on the scroll for any other message, such as one of comfort, immediate hope, or reprieve, on this particular divine decree.
* **"and [there was] written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe.":** This final clause explicitly and grimly states the precise content of the scroll. "Lamentations" (Hebrew: _qîynâh_) refers to dirges or songs of deep sorrow. "Mourning" (Hebrew: _hegeh_) denotes a guttural sound of distress, a groaning, sighing, or wailing that accompanies profound grief. "Woe" (Hebrew: _hîy_ or _hôy_) is a potent interjection of distress, frequently employed by prophets to pronounce severe judgment or impending calamity. Collectively, these three terms paint an unambiguous and vivid picture of the dire consequences awaiting Israel: a future filled with profound sorrow, widespread public lamentation, and the crushing weight of divine judgment, all directly resulting from their persistent unfaithfulness and rebellion against God.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 2:10 is exceptionally rich in **Symbolism**. The scroll itself serves as a potent symbol of God's authoritative word, His divine decree, and the specific mandate given to the prophet. Its unique physical property—being inscribed "within and without"—symbolizes the **Completeness** and **Sufficiency** of God's judgment, indicating that the divine message is exhaustive, leaving no aspect of Israel's sin unaddressed and no room for alternative outcomes. The explicit content of the scroll—"lamentations, and mourning, and woe"—functions as a powerful **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche**, where these expressions of intense grief stand in for the severe judgment and widespread suffering that will inevitably cause such lamentation. This also acts as potent **Foreshadowing**, immediately establishing the somber and challenging tone for Ezekiel's difficult ministry and the grim prophecies he is about to deliver concerning Jerusalem's imminent destruction and the exiles' prolonged suffering. Furthermore, the use of a **Tricolon** ("lamentations, and mourning, and woe") emphasizes the intensity, multifaceted nature, and comprehensive scope of the impending sorrow, creating a rhythmic and impactful declaration of divine judgment and doom.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 2:10 powerfully articulates the unwavering severity of God's righteous judgment against persistent sin and rebellion. It underscores that while God is indeed merciful, patient, and long-suffering, His justice is ultimately unyielding, and His declared word is certain to be fulfilled. The scroll's comprehensive message of "lamentations, mourning, and woe" reveals that God's assessment of human unfaithfulness is meticulously thorough and leaves no aspect unexamined, demanding full accountability from His covenant people. This passage profoundly reminds us that true prophecy, and indeed the entirety of God's word, is not always designed to be comforting; it frequently contains stern warnings, calls to repentance, and pronouncements of consequences, all designed to awaken a people to the profound gravity of their spiritual condition and the inevitable repercussions of defying their Creator. It serves as a stark and necessary reminder that the covenant relationship demands unwavering faithfulness, and persistent disobedience carries a heavy, inescapable price.

* [Jeremiah 1:10](/jeremiah/1-10 "Jeremiah 1:10 - Jeremiah's Commission to Uproot and Plant")
* [Revelation 20:12](/revelation/20-12 "Revelation 20:12 - The Books Opened at the Final Judgment")
* [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Curses for Disobedience")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 2:10 serves as a profound and challenging reminder that God's word, while eternally a source of comfort, hope, and life, also carries the weighty truth of His righteous judgment and the stark reality of sin's inevitable consequences. For believers today, this verse compels us to confront the gravity of our own sin and the potential for divine discipline when we persist in rebellion or indifference towards God's holy commands. It calls us to adopt a posture of deep humility and earnest responsiveness, urging us to listen not only to the comforting promises of grace but also to the convicting and often uncomfortable truths found within Scripture. Just as Ezekiel was commissioned to deliver a difficult and unwelcome message to a rebellious people, we, as followers of Christ, are called to embody and articulate the fullness of God's truth, which encompasses both His boundless grace and His unwavering justice. This passage compels us to diligently examine our lives for any areas of unrepentance, to heed divine warnings with seriousness, and to grasp that God's thorough assessment of our lives leaves nothing unexamined or overlooked. Ultimately, it encourages us to live in faithful and obedient submission to God, recognizing the comprehensive and holy nature of His character and His word.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the "within and without" nature of the scroll challenge my understanding of God's thoroughness in assessing sin and faithfulness in my own life?**
* **In what specific areas of my life might I be resistant to hearing God's "lamentations, mourning, and woe," preferring to focus exclusively on messages of comfort and blessing?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a heart that is more genuinely receptive to the convicting and challenging aspects of God's Word, leading to deeper repentance and transformation?**

### FAQ
**Why was the scroll written "within and without" (on both sides)?**

Answer: The detail that the scroll was inscribed on both sides is highly unusual and deeply symbolic within the context of ancient Near Eastern writing practices. Traditionally, scrolls were written only on the inside surface. This unique feature signifies the overwhelming and comprehensive nature of the message it contained. It implies that the content—specifically "lamentations, and mourning, and woe"—was so vast, complete, and urgent that it filled every available space on the scroll, leaving no room for anything else. Theologically, this emphasizes the full extent of Israel's pervasive sin and the exhaustive, inescapable, and all-encompassing character of God's judgment against it. It suggests that every aspect of their rebellion and unfaithfulness had been meticulously accounted for, and God's righteous response would be thorough and unyielding, leaving no part of their disobedience unaddressed. It powerfully underscores the gravity, totality, and finality of the divine decree being delivered through Ezekiel.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezekiel's scroll was grimly filled with "lamentations, and mourning, and woe" for a rebellious Israel, foreshadowing the severe judgment they were to face, the ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment reveals how Jesus Himself bore the full weight of humanity's "woe." The curses and judgments pronounced against sin, symbolically represented by the scroll's grim contents, were perfectly absorbed and eternally satisfied in Christ's atoning work on the cross. He became the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), enduring the ultimate lamentation, suffering, and divine wrath on behalf of humanity, precisely as prophesied by the suffering servant in [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant"). Through His perfect sacrifice, the "woe" that was justly due to us was laid upon Him, transforming the message of despair and condemnation into one of profound hope, reconciliation, and eternal life for all who believe ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Thus, while the scroll in Ezekiel spoke of impending doom and judgment, Christ's coming ushered in the glorious good news of salvation, offering freedom from the condemnation that sin inevitably brings ([Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")). He is the living Word, who not only perfectly reveals God's truth but also perfectly fulfills the righteous demands of God's law and justice, thereby turning our mourning into dancing ([Psalm 30:11](/psalm/30-11 "Psalm 30:11 - Turning Mourning into Dancing")) for all who embrace His redemptive work.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Revelation 8:13

And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!

Isaiah 3:11

Woe unto the wicked! [it shall be] ill [with him]: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.

Isaiah 30:8

¶ Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever:

Isaiah 30:11

Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.

Habakkuk 2:2

And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make [it] plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

Revelation 11:14

¶ The second woe is past; [and], behold, the third woe cometh quickly.

Jeremiah 36:29

And thou shalt say to Jehoiakim king of Judah, Thus saith the LORD; Thou hast burned this roll, saying, Why hast thou written therein, saying, The king of Babylon shall certainly come and destroy this land, and shall cause to cease from thence man and beast?